2023-July-11

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Building a Better Tomorrow in Bangalore

BY SANYUKTA PAWASKAR AND SAMPATH BANANDA

3 MINUTE READ · 4 MINUTE LISTEN



Sanyukta and Sampath at Jagruthi Trust.
Sanyukta and Sampath at Jagruthi Trust.

As part of the CX India Philanthropy Team in Bangalore, we — Sanyukta and Sampath — were part of the core team who recently organized Bangalore’s ONEx Community Impact Week in April 2023.

After planning for almost a month, our team put together a remarkable event showcasing our employees’ collective dedication to make a difference.

It was the first event conducted after the launch of the new Community Impact Portal powered by Benevity. The portal serves as an employee hub to connect with and volunteer for causes they care about.

During the five-day event, we partnered with five non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We witnessed an incredible display of solidarity and commitment.

Over 800 Cisco employees volunteered their time and skills, dedicated to various projects and initiatives, including making tactile books for visually impaired students, paper handbags, medical kits, grocery kits, and even infographics.

Through our collective efforts, we directly impacted the lives of more than 3,000 individuals.

A large group of volunteers holding up the tactile books they made.
Making tactile books with GiftAbled.
A large group of volunteers pose in front of a projector screen.
Making paper handbags with Nightingales Medical Trust.
A large group of volunteers pose in front of a projector screen.
Making medical kits with Bangalore Hospice Trust: Karunashraya.
Dozens of volunteers pose for a photo inside a building.
Packing grocery kits with Jagruthi Trust.
Screenshot of a Webex meeting with 25 people in grid mode.
Making infographics in a virtual event with U&I.
 Core volunteers from the CX India Philanthropy Team, Bangalore.
Core volunteers from the CX India Philanthropy Team, Bangalore.

The difference we made during the Bangalore ONEx Community Impact Week extended beyond the volunteer hours.

Cisco's Matching Gifts Program further magnified the impact, with a total of $16,760 in matching grants being awarded. This financial support helped our NGO partners expand their programs, reach more beneficiaries, and bring about sustainable change.

As we move forward, Cisco remains steadfast in its mission to foster an inclusive future for all.
Through ongoing community impact initiatives and collaborative partnerships, we will continue to harness the power of technology to address societal challenges and create a world where everyone has equal access to opportunities.

Cisco Bangalore Community Impact  Week April 2023 poster.

This was a testament to Cisco's passion for giving back and fostering positive change. By leveraging our collective resources, skills, and determination, our teams continue to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Together, we can make a difference and build a better tomorrow.

Check out a few highlights of how Cisco supports employees’ efforts to give back:

1. Time2Give. Employees receive 80 hours every year to give back. Yep, it's true! And not only is that separate from our paid time off, but we can use those hours for any cause we're passionate about.

2. Donations and match requests by employees. Cisco matches 100% of employee donations to approved organizations up to $10,000.

3. Volunteering. For every hour an employee volunteers with an approved organization, Cisco pays $10 to the nonprofit through the Community Impact Portal. That’s a double win for nonprofits.

4. Cisco also allows each team to spend a certain amount of time and budget for philanthropy each quarter.

Through the collective efforts of our passionate employees and the collaboration with outstanding NGOs, we were able to directly impact thousands of lives, and foster inclusivity, sustainability, and empowerment.

Reflecting on this remarkable event, we are inspired by the immense potential for positive change when technology and compassion come together.

A hearty congratulations to all the volunteers who joined us for Community Impact Week. You all gave your heart and soul to this initiative, making it a huge success.

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