Cisco Systems Foundation Awards Bay Area Non- Profits

Cisco Systems Foundation announced its 2005 San Jose Impact Grants that support non-profits within a 50-mile radius of Cisco's headquarters. In this grant cycle, $735,000 in funding will aid 71 organizations that provide essential services to the Bay Area community.

"At Cisco, we believe in building strong communities in which every individual has access to quality education, the means by which to live, and the opportunity to succeed," said Sylvia Allen, Cisco Systems' Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility.

One of the grant recipients was Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT), a non-profit organization located in San Jose that provides over 5,000 Bay Area teachers with supplies, hands-on interactive learning materials for their students, and professional training workshops.

To mark the company's 20th anniversary in 2004, Cisco's 35,000 employees volunteered the equivalent of one day each in their community and effectively gave back more than 20 years (175,200 hours) worth of volunteer service. Over 4,000 hours were donated to RAFT by 1,000 employees from Cisco's San Jose headquarters.

"We are extremely grateful for the many ways Cisco has assisted us over the years," said Mary Simon, RAFT's Executive Director. "Without their active hands-on support, our program would not reach nearly as many children and teachers as it does today."

Through Tech Soup, a Cisco partner organization that connects non-profits with donated and discounted technology products, RAFT has obtained Cisco hardware and software that supports their internal network and server as well as their teacher training center.

"Our work with RAFT is a perfect example of how Cisco takes advantage all of the company's assets in our philanthropic giving," said Cisco's Allen. "Instead of only providing funding, Cisco also donates company products and employee expertise to ensure long-term sustainability."