Advocacy, Lobbying, Political Activity:
Destination: Home’s policy with respect to providing grant support to organizations that engage in advocacy and/or lobbying is subject to our diversity policy. This policy states that Cisco does not promote or discriminate against any person, population group, or organization with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by applicable United States law.
In accordance with this policy, Destination: home will not provide grant support to any organization that advocates or lobbies against any such protected category.
Furthermore, in order to avoid actual or apparent preferences for any protected or non-protected category over another, Destination: Home may reject grant support to any organization that lobbies or advocates for or against any single person, population group, organization, or cause/issue (e.g., political position, policy, law/legislation, etc.).
In addition, grantees that are classified as charitable organizations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code must certify to Destination: Home that they comply with applicable law regarding limits on their lobbying activity and that they do not engage in prohibited electioneering activity.
Finally, Destination: Home does not permit its grant funds to be applied to any individual program of a grantee that involves any type of lobbying or other political activity. Note: “Lobbying” is defined in Section 4945(e) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to mean attempts to influence legislation through grassroots lobbying of the public or direct lobbying of government officials. Certain exceptions exist (e.g., for nonpartisan analysis or invited testimony).
“Legislation” includes all matters that may be voted upon by the U.S. Senate or House of Representations, a state legislature, a local city or county council, an Indian tribal body, or a legislative body in a foreign nation, including votes taken by a committee of such body. Such matters may include votes to approve executive or judicial appointments of public officials as well as new laws or repeal of existing laws. “Legislation” also includes laws voted upon by the people in an initiative, referendum or other vote taken within a national, state, or local area.
“Political” refers to any payment made or action taken, directly or indirectly, to influence the outcome of any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office, including oral or written statements. Such activity is prohibited for tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.