Doris & Donald Fisher Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10,220,000 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Varies significantly (major multi-million dollar grants to select organizations)
Geographic Focus: United States, with emphasis on underserved communities

Contact Details

Address: 1300 Evans Ave #880154, San Francisco, CA 94188-5547

Phone: 415-288-0540

Website: None (foundation does not maintain a public website)

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. General inquiries may be made by mail to the address above.

Overview

The Doris & Donald Fisher Foundation (EIN 20-7464063) was established in 1986 by Gap Inc. co-founders Donald and Doris Fisher. Originally named the D & DF Foundation, it became the Doris & Donald Fisher Foundation and later transitioned to the Camp Foundation. Donald Fisher passed away in 2009, and Doris Fisher continues the family's philanthropic legacy alongside their son John Fisher. The foundation is a private grantmaking organization that provided $10,220,000 in grants in 2023, making 2 awards that year. The foundation has been one of the most significant supporters of charter school expansion in the United States, with a strategic focus on education reform that serves traditionally underserved students. The Fishers' approach emphasized "doing a few things really well" through focused, sustained commitment to select high-performing organizations rather than spreading resources widely.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without public grant cycles or deadlines. Grants are made through existing partnerships and relationships, typically to organizations already known to the foundation's leadership.

Major Historical Funding:

KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): Over $60-70 million over the years, making the Fisher Fund KIPP's top supporter
Teach For America: Initial $8.3 million three-year grant in 2000, plus ongoing support
Charter School Growth Fund
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Teach for All

Priority Areas

Primary Focus - Charter School Movement:

Creation and replication of high-performing public charter schools
Charter school networks and expansion initiatives
Support for charter school leadership development

Secondary Focus Areas:

Innovative human capital initiatives in education
Teacher and principal recruitment and training programs (particularly Teach For America)
Public policy solutions supporting charter schools at state and federal levels
Research and advocacy supporting charter school legislation
Political campaigns supporting pro-charter school candidates and policies

Target Beneficiaries:

Organizations serving traditionally underserved students
K-12 public education initiatives
Communities with limited access to quality educational options

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

Organizations outside the K-12 education sector
Projects unrelated to charter schools or education reform
General operating support for organizations outside their strategic focus
Individual scholarships or direct student aid
Private schools or traditional public school districts

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

Doris F. Fisher - Co-founder and ongoing philanthropic leader. Following Donald's death in 2009, she has overseen the family's philanthropic vehicles. As of recent reports, she has a net worth of $2.6 billion and continues as one of California's most significant political donors supporting charter school initiatives. Fisher stated that strong leadership is "so important to the success of each KIPP public charter school that a school's opening will be delayed if such leadership is lacking."

John Fisher - Son of Doris and Donald Fisher, serves as Chairman of KIPP's Board of Directors and continues the family's involvement in charter school philanthropy. He serves on boards of Charter School Growth Fund and Silicon Schools Fund.

Donald G. Fisher (1928-2009) - Gap Inc. co-founder and founding philanthropist. According to observers, Fisher "was not the biggest funder of education reform in the last century. But he may have been the most consequential," as he was "among the very first to find and fund almost all of the most promising ideas and programs of the last 20 years." Fisher joined California's State Board of Education at age 72 to deepen his impact.

Philanthropic Philosophy:

The Fishers believed that "race or income shouldn't limit a child's chance to be educated." They saw public charter schools as offering "greater freedom over hiring, budgets, and leadership" and the "best opportunity to tackle the huge problems facing education." Their approach emphasized sustained commitment beyond financial support, with Doris Fisher reportedly saying that KIPP "had become her life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Doris & Donald Fisher Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Grants are made through:

Pre-existing partnerships and relationships
Proactive identification of high-potential organizations by foundation leadership
Strategic investments in organizations already known to the trustees

General inquiries may be submitted by mail to: 1300 Evans Ave #880154, San Francisco, CA 94188-5547, or by phone at 415-288-0540. However, organizations should not expect to receive funding through unsolicited contact.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: The Fisher Fund officially closed in 2021, though the Fisher family continues supporting education through board service and other vehicles.

For organizations seeking to connect with Fisher family philanthropy:

Board and Network Connections: The Fisher family maintains deep involvement in charter school organizations through board service. John Fisher serves as Chairman of KIPP's Board of Directors and on boards of Charter School Growth Fund and Silicon Schools Fund. Organizations connected to these networks have the strongest likelihood of coming to the family's attention.

Demonstrated Excellence in Charter Education: The Fishers have historically focused on organizations demonstrating measurable impact with underserved students, particularly those showing potential for scalable models. KIPP became their flagship investment because it "resonated with their own deeply held values and beliefs."

Leadership Quality: The Fishers place extraordinary emphasis on leadership quality. As Doris Fisher stated, they will delay a school opening if strong leadership is lacking. Organizations with exceptional, mission-driven leaders serving underserved communities are most likely to attract Fisher attention.

Connection to Teach For America: The Fishers increased their TFA commitment after learning that two-thirds of KIPP principals were TFA alumni. Organizations led by TFA alumni or with strong TFA connections may have enhanced visibility.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder making strategic investments, decision timelines vary based on relationship development and strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 2 grants totaling $10,220,000. Given the invitation-only nature, there is no meaningful "success rate" for unsolicited applications, as they are not accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

For organizations seeking Fisher family support (recognizing the foundation's invitation-only approach):

1. Focus on Scalable Impact: The Fishers invested in organizations with potential for replication and scale. As noted in analyses of their giving, they made "big bets" on organizations that could grow significantly. KIPP expanded from 2 schools to 278 schools with 190,000 students, demonstrating the scale the Fishers sought.

2. Leadership Excellence is Non-Negotiable: "Leadership is critical to the success of KIPP public charter schools," according to Doris Fisher. Organizations must demonstrate exceptional leadership at both the organizational and school levels. The Fishers' willingness to delay school openings for lack of strong leaders underscores this priority.

3. Demonstrate Impact with Underserved Students: The foundation explicitly emphasizes "underserved students" and communities with limited access to quality education. Organizations must show clear evidence of serving and succeeding with traditionally marginalized populations.

4. Sustained Commitment to Charter School Model: The Fishers were champions of the charter school movement specifically, believing charter schools offered "the best opportunity to tackle the huge problems facing education" due to greater operational freedom. Organizations must be committed to the charter model, not just education reform generally.

5. Alignment with Core Values: KIPP succeeded with the Fishers because it "resonated with their own deeply held values and beliefs, in particular, the belief that race or income shouldn't limit a child's chance to be educated." Organizations must embody this fundamental commitment to educational equity.

6. Willingness to Adapt and Course-Correct: Fisher-supported organizations demonstrated capacity to acknowledge challenges and adjust strategies. When KIPP faced college completion gaps, they "publicly acknowledged college completion gaps and adjusted their approach accordingly." Similarly, the Charter School Growth Fund launched its Emerging CMO Fund to support leaders of color when diversity concerns emerged.

7. Connection to Existing Portfolio: The Fishers increased TFA support after learning about the TFA-KIPP connection. Organizations connected to existing Fisher investments through alumni networks, partnerships, or complementary strategies have enhanced visibility.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Foundation operations have evolved: The Doris & Donald Fisher Fund officially closed in 2021, though the Fisher family continues education philanthropy through board service and other vehicles. The Doris & Donald Fisher Foundation (EIN 20-7464063) reported $10.2 million in 2023 grants.
Invitation-only approach means traditional grant seeking won't work: This foundation identifies and invites grantees rather than accepting applications. Building relationships through sector networks, particularly KIPP, Teach For America, and related organizations, is the only viable path.
Leadership quality trumps all other factors: The Fishers will delay school openings rather than accept mediocre leadership. Organizations must demonstrate exceptional, mission-driven leaders at all levels.
Scale and replication potential are essential: The Fishers invested in organizations that could grow from local successes to national movements. Small, locally-focused projects are unlikely to attract interest regardless of quality.
Charter school commitment is non-negotiable: This is not a general education funder. Organizations must be committed to the charter school model and its expansion.
Track record matters more than proposals: The Fishers invested in organizations that had already demonstrated success and needed capital to scale, not startups with promising ideas. Proven impact is essential.
Prepare for deep, sustained engagement: The Fishers didn't just write checks—Donald joined California's State Board of Education at 72, and Doris reported KIPP "had become her life." They expect grantees to welcome and benefit from hands-on involvement.

References

Information compiled December 18, 2025