Fisher House Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $42.9 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 enquiries: 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 hospitalised military personnel. The organisation began with Zachary Fisher dedicating more than $20 million to construct comfort homes at military and VA medical centres. 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 programmes and grants to other nonprofits serving military and veteran communities. In 2023, the Foundation contributed $42.9 million in grants and programmes. 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 Programmes

Fisher Service Awards (Annual)

• Award Amount: $400,000 total distributed amongst 5 organisations annually
• Award Structure: Top organisation receives $100,000; four additional organisations 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 programmes

Scholarships for Military Children

• Award Amount: $2,000 per student
• Annual Distribution: 500 scholarships annually, totalling 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 totalling $1,095,102 outside the United States

Priority Areas

Fisher Service Awards specifically seek programmes 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 programmes

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

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

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations that have been in existence for less than two years
• Organisations that cannot provide IRS Form 990 (including Form 990, 990-N, and 990-EZ)
• Programmes 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 emphasises 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., amongst others.

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

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Fisher Service Awards Application Process:

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

Eligibility Requirements:

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

Multiple Applications: Organisations can submit entries for more than one programme; however, each submission must have its own email address/login credentials. Previous winners with new and innovative programmes 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 programmes that meet eligibility requirements are explicitly encouraged to apply. The Foundation does not publicly specify restrictions on unsuccessful applicants reapplying in subsequent years, suggesting organisations 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 emphasises they are "looking for innovative programmes." The award explicitly "recognises, awards, and celebrates innovative programmes that support and strengthen our military and veteran communities."

Direct Application Tips from Fisher House Foundation

The Foundation provides specific guidance to applicants:

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

Judging Process and Criteria

Applications undergo a two-step evaluation:

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

Each application is evaluated against four criteria, each carrying equal weight (25%). Whilst 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 Programmes (2024 Winners)

1. 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

2. HillVets Fellowship Programme (HillVets Foundation) - $75,000
   Empowers veterans, service members, and military families through leadership development, mentorship, and policy advocacy

3. Musicians on Call Veteran's Bedside Programme - $75,000
   Brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of veterans

4. 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

5. Stronghold Ambassador Programme - $75,000
   [Programme details emphasise community impact for military families]

Strategic Insights

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• True innovation: Programmes that are genuinely first-of-their-kind or take novel approaches (e.g., first children's museum on a military base)
• Gap-filling: Programmes that address unmet needs not covered by government services
• Measurable impact: Clear demonstration of how the programme improves quality of life
• Replicability or scalability: Programmes that could potentially serve as models for other communities
• Strong documentation: Well-organised 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 programmes fill gaps in existing services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Innovation is non-negotiable: With a 1% success rate, being a good programme isn't enough—you must demonstrate genuine innovation and novelty in your approach

2. Quality over quantity in applications: Write concisely, proofread meticulously, and use original content rather than copying from your website

3. Strategic use of attachments: Include supporting materials that visually and substantively demonstrate your programme's innovative nature and impact

4. Two-year operating history required: Ensure your organisation meets this threshold before investing time in the application

5. Plan for a 5-6 month wait: With notifications in mid-August for March deadlines, build this timeline into your funding strategy

6. Emphasise gap-filling: Frame your programme in terms of unmet needs and humanitarian gaps beyond government services

7. Consider reapplication: Previous winners are encouraged to apply with new innovative programmes, suggesting the Foundation values organisations with proven track records of innovation

References

• Fisher Service Awards Programme Overview
• Fisher Service Awards Eligibility Requirements
• Fisher Service Awards Judging Criteria
• 2024 Fisher Service Award Recipients Announcement
• Fisher House Foundation Contact Information
• Fisher House Foundation Leadership
• Kenneth Fisher Biography
• Fisher House Foundation History
• Zachary Fisher Biography
• GuideStar Profile - Fisher House Foundation
• Charity Navigator Rating
• Military Times: First-ever children's museum on a military base gets top service award
• 5 Questions with Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO
• Frequently Asked Questions - Fisher Service Awards

Information accessed December 2024