New collaborative relationship with LIFT Impact Partners will enable cooperation across Canada, United Kingdom, United States and Australia

Toronto, ON (September 25, 2012): Cisco and LIFT Impact Partners announce a new collaborative relationship to promote cooperation and information-sharing among venture philanthropy organizations worldwide. These organizations include Impetus Trust in the United Kingdom; New Profit in the United States; Social Ventures Australia in Australia; and LIFT Impact Partners in Canada.

“Cisco’s commitment to corporate social responsibility includes promoting innovation and long-term progress by investing in the skills of people and organizations, so they can thrive and create even greater social impact,” said Nitin Kawale, president, Cisco Canada. “We are pleased to collaborate with LIFT Impact Partners to connect leading venture philanthropy organizations, so they can learn from each other and help transform lives throughout the world.”

Cisco will provide LIFT with access to Cisco TelePresence, its live, high-definition video conference solution, to conduct four global meetings over the next two years. The first meeting will be on September 26. The technology will be offered free of charge as part of Cisco’s commitment to LIFT’s partner network of pro bono businesses and professionals.

“Cisco transforms how people communicate and collaborate using its innovative products, services and technologies,” said Bruce Dewar, chief executive officer, LIFT Impact Partners. “We believe Cisco will be invaluable in helping LIFT Impact Partners collaborate with and learn from world-leading venture philanthropy organizations such as Impetus Trust, New Profit, and Social Ventures Australia.”

Cisco will also work with LIFT to provide technology solutions to enhance the effectiveness of not-for-profit organizations across the country, so they can improve the health and productivity of Canadians and their communities.

What is venture philanthropy?

LIFT Impact Partners uses a venture philanthropy approach where it provides not-for-profit organizations with a valuable combination of skills, expertise, resources and funding to make them sustainable and more effective at delivering measurable social impact in Canada.

LIFT works with a not-for-profit organization for up to three years to develop and implement a strategic LIFT plan to increase accountability, establish performance metrics, and improve capacity to deliver social impact.

LIFT engages a diverse partner network of businesses, service providers and other professionals that provide pro bono expertise and services to meet the specific needs of the not-for-profit organizations.

Learn more about LIFT’s venture philanthropy approach by watching its video, LIFT Impact Partners: What We Do.

Follow Us:

Follow @CiscoCanada and @liftpartners, or join Cisco and LIFT on Facebook, for updates on this collaboration.

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For more information, please contact:

Cisco
Karin Scott
Director, Public Relations
416.306.7164
kariscot@cisco.com

LIFT Impact Partners
Nicole Mezzarobba
Manager, Communications
778.327.5139
nmezzarobba@liftpartners.ca