News Release

Bay Area Nonprofits Receive More than $1 Million in Grants from Cisco Foundation

Silicon Valley Impact Grants Support Education, Health Care and Vocational Programs in Underserved Communities
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Jun 10, 2010

SAN JOSE, CA, June 10, 2010 – The Cisco Foundation today announced it has awarded its 14th annual Silicon Valley Impact Grants to 67 nonprofits that are identified as innovative and effective in addressing K-8 education, basic healthcare and adult vocational needs in the Bay Area.

Each nonprofit was awarded a $15,000 impact grant and recognized for its commitment to the community during a recognition event at Cisco's San Jose headquarters.

The event featured guest speaker Pamela Hawley, founder and CEO of Universal Giving.  Hawley provided the grant recipients with valuable insight into nonprofit marketing and brand building through the use of social networking technology.

Highlights:

  • Each of the 67 nonprofits received a $15,000 grant, for a total of more than $1 million in Cisco Silicon Valley Impact Grants in 2010.
  • This is the 14th year the Cisco Foundation has contributed to the Silicon Valley Impact Grants, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to assisting the local community.
  • Since 1997, the Cisco Foundation has awarded grants to more than 1,500 Bay Area nonprofits.

Quotes:

  • Tania Wilcox, executive director, Breakthrough Silicon Valley
  • "Cisco's commitment to increase the numbers of students who succeed in school is helping programs like Breakthrough Silicon Valley meet is mission of preparing low-income students for college. Through its generous grants Cisco is creating healthy and vibrant communities that will benefit us all."

  • Joe Ross, executive director designate, Citizen Schools California
  • "Citizen Schools is thrilled by Cisco's support of our STEM apprenticeship program in Silicon Valley. As our name indicates, engaging volunteers in schools to share their professional skills and interests has in invaluable impact. With support of the Cisco Community Impact grant and Cisco volunteers, we are able to create access and exposure to STEM careers for low-income middle school students at a critical juncture in their educational pathway."

  • Michael Yutrzenka, executive director, Cisco Foundation
  • "The Cisco Foundation has a rich history of supporting nonprofit organizations and programs focused on addressing critical human needs, education and economic empowerment.  Through the Impact Grants we are pleased to recognize and support some of the many organizations that are delivering critical services and support to the Silicon Valley community at large through innovative initiatives and sustainable programs."

  • Ricardo Benavidez, community relations manager, Cisco
  • "We are proud of the role Cisco employees have in supporting their communities.  The Silicon Valley Impact Grants program exposes Cisco volunteers to the amazing work of so many organizations by engaging them in the selection process and providing ongoing support opportunities. Our employees are central to Cisco and the Foundation's strategy to help foster a healthy and thriving community."

Silicon Valley Impact Grant Recipients:

The following nonprofit organizations received a Cisco Foundation 2010 Silicon Valley Impact Grant:

Vocational / Economic Empowerment

  • Anew America Community Corporation, San Jose
  • BALANCE4kids, Soquel
  • Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, San Francisco
  • Community Housing Partnership, San Francisco
  • HOPE Services, San Jose
  • Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service, San Francisco
  • Upwardly Global, San Francisco
  • Women's Audio Mission, San Francisco
  • Women's Initiative for Self Employment, San Francisco

Health

  • ACT for Mental Health, San Jose
  • Alameda County Foster Youth Alliance, Oakland
  • Operation Access, San Francisco
  • Aphasia Center of California, Oakland
  • Berkeley Food and Housing Project, Berkeley
  • Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, Milpitas
  • Children's Health Council, Palo Alto
  • Community Gatepath, Burlingame
  • Community Resources for Independent Living, Hayward
  • El Centro de Libertad, Redwood City
  • Family & Children's Services, San Jose
  • Family Resources International, Saratoga
  • Family Supportive Housing, San Jose
  • Gardner Family Health Network, San Jose
  • Hospice of the Valley, San Jose
  • Institute on Aging, San Francisco
  • Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International, Palo Alto
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness—Santa Clara County, San Jose
  • Odd Fellow Rebekah Children's Home of California, Gilroy
  • Santa Cruz Women's Health Center, Santa Cruz
  • Shanti Project, San Francisco
  • Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, San Jose
  • SJB Child Development Centers, San Jose
  • The Arc of San Francisco, San Francisco
  • Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Palo Alto

Education K-8

  • Achieve Kids, Palo Alto
  • Aim High, San Francisco
  • Alum Rock Counseling Center, San Jose
  • Breakthrough Silicon Valley, San Jose
  • Chabot Space and Science Foundation, Oakland
  • Citizens Schools, Redwood City
  • Computers for Youth Foundation, San Francisco
  • Easter Seals Society of the Bay Area, Oakland
  • Environmental Volunteers, Palo Alto
  • Girl Scouts of Northern California, San Jose
  • Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, San Leandro
  • Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education, Santa Clara
  • Junior Achievement of Northern California, Walnut Creek
  • KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, San Jose
  • Marine Science Institute, Redwood City
  • Mid-peninsula Boys and Girls Club, San Mateo
  • Mission Science Workshop, San Francisco
  • O'Neill Sea Odyssey, Santa Cruz
  • Pacifica School Volunteers, Pacifica
  • Partners in School Innovation, San Francisco
  • Reading Partners, Milpitas
  • Sacred Heart Community Service, San Jose
  • Safe Passages, Oakland
  • San Jose Grail Family Services, San Jose
  • Schmahl Science Workshops, San Jose
  • Shih Yu-Lang Central YMCA, San Francisco
  • Silicon Valley Children's Fund, San Jose
  • Super Stars Literacy, Oakland
  • Teach for America – Bay Area, San Francisco
  • The Peninsula Bridge Program, Palo Alto
  • Third Street Community Center, San Jose
  • Trust for Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
  • YWCA of Silicon Valley, San Jose

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