Cisco Honored for Employee Volunteer Programs

SAN JOSE, Calif., August 5, 2005 - Cisco Systems was honored today by the Points of Light Foundation for the prestigious Award for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs in Washington, DC. With many of its 37,000 employees involved in various philanthropic endeavors, Cisco was recognized for its commitment to making workplace volunteering a central part of its overall corporate citizenship program.

"Cisco is honored to receive this award in recognition of our employees' community involvement around the world," said Tae Yoo, vice president of corporate affairs, Cisco Systems. "The strength and vitality of the community is a key component of our company's success. Giving back is a cornerstone of Cisco's culture and we are proud to have so many dedicated employees working and sharing their talents with non-profits and non-government agencies who provide significant support and have an impact on the community."

Cisco was awarded the Points of Light Foundation honor in recognition of its long-term and comprehensive commitment to employee volunteer programs.

Cisco employees played a key factor in the company's selection this year. In May 2004, to commemorate Cisco's 20th anniversary, Cisco President and CEO, John Chambers instituted the 20 Years of Community Service Campaign and asked employees to collectively volunteer 175,200 hours - or 20 years of time. Cisco offered to donate up to $3 million to community development if employees met this challenge in a year's time. In less than seven months, employees exceeded the goal and volunteered more than 200,000 hours.

In addition to helping the community, Cisco's volunteer programs help develop leaders for the company. The Leadership Fellows Program allows high-potential senior level Cisco employees to work for a nonprofit organization in a full-time capacity for up to one year, at no cost to the nonprofit. Cisco Leadership Fellows gain strategic leadership experience in different business settings while contributing to initiatives that increase the long-term productivity of nonprofits, such as NetHope, CompuMentor and Futures for Kids.

"We celebrate the good works of Cisco that show exemplary leadership in community involvement and giving of their employees' time and talent," said Robert K. Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network "Cisco is a testament to the important role that businesses can play in alleviating social issues and bringing about healthier communities."

The Points of Light Foundation's Award for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs is an international award that honors businesses of all sizes and from all industries that have made a commitment to effectively engage employees in volunteering. The Points of Light Foundation, the nation's leading volunteer resource, views companies as one of the primary sources of volunteers and provides a full range of services to help businesses develop and sustain workplace volunteer programs.

Past winners of the award include General Electric, IBM, KPMG, John Hancock Financial Services, and Levi Strauss & Co.