Fisher House Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $32.4 million (2023)
Success Rate: 1.1% (for Fisher Service Awards)
Decision Time: Approximately 5-6 months
Grant Range: $75,000 - $100,000 (Fisher Service Awards)
Geographic Focus: National (United States)
EIN: 11-3158401

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410
Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: 888-294-8560
Email: donations@fisherhouse.org
Website: https://www.fisherhouse.org

For Fisher Service Awards inquiries: Visit https://fisherhouse.org/programs/fisher-service-award/

Overview

Fisher House Foundation was established in 1990 by philanthropists Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher to provide "a home away from home" for families of hospitalized military personnel. The organization began with Zachary Fisher dedicating more than $20 million to construct comfort homes at military and VA medical centers. Since 2003, Kenneth Fisher, Zachary's grand-nephew, has served as Chairman and CEO, continuing the family legacy. The Foundation has grown to operate nearly 100 Fisher Houses nationwide and expanded its mission to include scholarship programs and grants to other nonprofits serving military and veteran communities. In 2023, the Foundation contributed $32.4 million in grants and programs. In 2024, through the Fisher Service Awards alone, the foundation presented $400,000 to innovative nonprofits, and awarded more than $2.7 million in scholarships to over 1,390 military family students. The Foundation has received consistent recognition, maintaining high ratings from Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Fisher Service Awards (Annual)

Award Amount: $400,000 total distributed among 5 organizations annually
Award Structure: Top organization receives $100,000; four additional organizations receive $75,000 each
Bonus: All recipients receive an advertising package from Military Times valued at $50,000
Application Method: Annual fixed deadline (applications open late October, close early March)
History: Since 1999, has distributed more than $3.8 million across 215 nonprofit programs

Scholarships for Military Children

Award Amount: $2,000 per student
Annual Distribution: 500 scholarships annually, totaling approximately $1 million
Eligibility: Children of military families

Heroes' Legacy Scholarship

For children of fallen and disabled service members

International Grants

In 2024, Fisher House Foundation sent grants totaling $1,095,102 outside the United States

Priority Areas

Fisher Service Awards specifically seek programs that:

Improve quality of life for active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans and/or their families
Demonstrate innovation in their approach
Have measurable impact on military and veteran communities
Address gaps in services not provided by government programs

Award funding may be used for any necessary program expense including:

Wages/salaries
Supplies
Capital campaigns
Building repair
Professional fees (mental health counselors, physical therapists, etc.)

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that have been in existence for less than two years
Organizations that cannot provide IRS Form 990 (including Form 990, 990-N, and 990-EZ)
Programs that do not directly serve military, veteran, or military family populations

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO
Kenneth Fisher has led the Foundation since 2003. He is Zachary Fisher's grand-nephew and also serves as Partner at Fisher Brothers, a premier real estate development firm. Fisher emphasizes action over inaction, sharing a family philosophy: "Don't be somebody who points out problems — we've got too many of them — be part of the solution." He has stated that it is "crucial to show the men and women who have dedicated their lives through service in our Armed Forces that we are grateful for their sacrifices."

Winston Fisher, Vice Chairman

David D. Fox, CFO & Treasurer

Board of Trustees

The Foundation's Board includes distinguished military leaders and business professionals:

Lieutenant General John A. Dubia (USA Ret.)
Admiral Christopher Grady (USN Ret.)
General Richard B. Myers (USAF Ret.)
General Peter Pace (USMC Ret.)
Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele (USMC Ret.)
Major General John Quintas (USAF Ret.)
Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch (USN Ret.)

Business and civic leaders include Martin L. Edelman, Bruce Mosler, and David J. McIntyre Jr., among others.

Honorary Trustees include Denzel and Pauletta Washington, and Montel Williams.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Fisher Service Awards Application Process:

Online Application Portal: Applications are submitted through an online system accessed via the Fisher House Foundation website
Application Window: Opens in late October (approximately October 23-29) and closes in early March (approximately March 5-6)
Strict Deadline: Applications close at 11:59 PM EDT on the deadline date with no extensions or exemptions

Eligibility Requirements:

Organization must have been in existence for at least two years
Must be able to provide IRS Form 990 (990, 990-N, or 990-EZ)
Program must improve quality of life for active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans and/or their families

Multiple Applications: Organizations can submit entries for more than one program; however, each submission must have its own email address/login credentials. Previous winners with new and innovative programs meeting eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

Decision Timeline

Application Opens: Late October
Application Deadline: Early March
Decision Notification: Mid-August (approximately 5-6 months after application deadline)
Awards Ceremony: Late October

Note: The Fisher House Foundation is unable to provide application updates during the review period.

Success Rates

The Fisher Service Awards are highly competitive:

2025 Cycle: Over 443 applications for 5 awards = 1.1% success rate
2023 Cycle: Over 460 applications for 5 awards = 1.1% success rate
Average Annual Applications: 450+
Annual Awards Given: 5

With a success rate of approximately 1%, the Fisher Service Awards represent one of the most competitive grant opportunities for military/veteran-serving nonprofits.

Reapplication Policy

Previous winners with new and innovative programs that meet eligibility requirements are explicitly encouraged to apply. The Foundation does not publicly specify restrictions on unsuccessful applicants reapplying in subsequent years, suggesting organizations may reapply annually if they continue to meet eligibility criteria.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Explicitly Seeks

Innovation is the Key Differentiator
The Foundation's own guidance emphasizes they are "looking for innovative programs." The award explicitly "recognizes, awards, and celebrates innovative programs that support and strengthen our military and veteran communities."

Direct Application Tips from Fisher House Foundation

The Foundation provides specific guidance to applicants:

Proofread thoroughly and ensure you do not copy and paste long paragraphs from your website
Clearly and concisely answer the questions, keeping in mind the focus on innovation
Provide attachments that help evaluators better understand your program, with information that "helps paint the innovative picture making your program stand out against other applicants"

Judging Process and Criteria

Applications undergo a two-step evaluation:

Review by Fisher House Foundation Leadership
Final selection by an esteemed Judging Panel

Each application is evaluated against four criteria, each carrying equal weight (25%). While specific criteria details are available in the full evaluation document, judges assess entries based on:

Creativity
Innovation
Impact on respective communities

Examples of Recently Funded Programs (2024 Winners)

Children's Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Greentrike) - $100,000
Pioneering resource for military families; first and only children's museum on a US military base in the world, designed to fill a gap in meaningful activities for military children
HillVets Fellowship Program (HillVets Foundation) - $75,000
Empowers veterans, service members, and military families through leadership development, mentorship, and policy advocacy
Musicians on Call Veteran's Bedside Program - $75,000
Brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of veterans
Mobile Service Units Serving Isolated Veterans in Mendocino and Lake Counties CA (Nation's Finest) - $75,000
Addresses service gaps for geographically isolated veteran populations
Stronghold Ambassador Program - $75,000
[Program details emphasize community impact for military families]

Strategic Insights

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

True innovation: Programs that are genuinely first-of-their-kind or take novel approaches (e.g., first children's museum on a military base)
Gap-filling: Programs that address unmet needs not covered by government services
Measurable impact: Clear demonstration of how the program improves quality of life
Replicability or scalability: Programs that could potentially serve as models for other communities
Strong documentation: Well-organized attachments that clearly illustrate innovation without lengthy copied website text

The Foundation's Philosophy:
Rooted in Zachary Fisher's legacy, the Foundation seeks to "meet humanitarian needs beyond what the government can provide." Applications should clearly articulate how their programs fill gaps in existing services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Innovation is non-negotiable: With a 1% success rate, being a good program isn't enough—you must demonstrate genuine innovation and novelty in your approach
Quality over quantity in applications: Write concisely, proofread meticulously, and use original content rather than copying from your website
Strategic use of attachments: Include supporting materials that visually and substantively demonstrate your program's innovative nature and impact
Two-year operating history required: Ensure your organization meets this threshold before investing time in the application
Plan for a 5-6 month wait: With notifications in mid-August for March deadlines, build this timeline into your funding strategy
Emphasize gap-filling: Frame your program in terms of unmet needs and humanitarian gaps beyond government services
Consider reapplication: Previous winners are encouraged to apply with new innovative programs, suggesting the Foundation values organizations with proven track records of innovation

References

Information accessed December 2024