Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $552,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $19,816,274
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California (also Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)
• Recent Grant Activity: 37 awards in 2024; 39 awards in 2023
• Application Method: Invitation only - No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

EIN: 81-0832167
Location: Fresno, California
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Grantmaking Foundation
Tax-Exempt Since: June 2016

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and contact information is limited. Detailed information is available through IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Overview

The Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in Fresno, California, receiving its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in June 2016. With total assets of nearly $20 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $552,000, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations primarily in California with additional grants extending to Arizona, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The foundation has demonstrated consistent grantmaking activity, making approximately 37-40 grants annually in recent years. The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation with no paid staff—all officers and directors serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. In 2024, the foundation received significant contributions totaling $10 million, representing 94.5% of its revenue, which has substantially increased its asset base and suggests a commitment to sustained philanthropic activity in the years ahead.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grantmaking program focused on supporting charitable organizations across multiple sectors. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion without formal program categories or deadlines.

Typical Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000
Application Method: Invitation only / Preselected organizations

Priority Areas

The foundation's grantmaking focuses on three primary areas:

1. Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking - Supporting other charitable foundations and philanthropic initiatives
2. Human Services - Organizations providing direct services to individuals and families in need
3. Health Care - Health-related organizations and medical service providers

Geographic Focus

While primarily focused on California communities (including Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, and other cities), the foundation also supports select organizations in Arizona, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicitly stated that it:

• Does not accept unsolicited requests for funds
• Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
• Operates by invitation or trustee discretion rather than open application

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small board of volunteer leaders who serve without compensation:

• Sieg Fischer - President
• Michael Schilling - Treasurer
• Jason Hamm - Secretary
• Dominic D'Innocenti - Director

All officers and directors work on a voluntary basis, reflecting the foundation's commitment to directing maximum resources to grantmaking rather than administrative costs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation has explicitly stated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees, who identify and select organizations to support based on their own research and due diligence.

Organizations cannot submit grant applications, proposals, or letters of inquiry. The foundation operates through an invitation-only model where trustees proactively identify potential grantees rather than responding to incoming requests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a rolling basis as trustees identify organizations to support. The foundation makes approximately 37-40 grant awards annually.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only model. Only preselected organizations receive funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as there is no application process. Organizations that have previously received support may receive additional grants at the trustees' discretion.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on their stated priorities and grantmaking patterns, organizations most likely to receive support share these characteristics:

Alignment with Focus Areas: Organizations working in philanthropy/grantmaking, human services, or healthcare are the primary beneficiaries of the foundation's support.

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for California-based organizations, particularly those serving communities in the Central Valley and Fresno region, though the foundation does support select organizations in Arizona, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Modest Funding Requests: With typical grants ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, the foundation appears to support organizations seeking smaller to mid-sized grants rather than major institutional gifts.

Established Organizations: The foundation's approach suggests a preference for supporting established charitable organizations with proven track records rather than startup or experimental programs.

Efficient Operations: Given that the foundation's leadership serves without compensation and maintains minimal administrative overhead, they likely value organizations that similarly demonstrate efficient use of charitable dollars.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods. Do not send unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or application materials.

• Invitation-Only Model: The foundation operates through trustee discretion, with board members proactively identifying organizations to support. Grants are not awarded in response to applications.

• Consistent Annual Giving: With 37-40 grants made annually at approximately $552,000 total, the foundation maintains steady philanthropic activity, suggesting ongoing commitment to their mission.

• California Focus: While the foundation supports organizations in multiple states, California-based nonprofits—particularly those in the Fresno region—appear to be the primary beneficiaries.

• Modest Grant Sizes: With typical awards of $2,500-$50,000, this foundation is best suited for organizations seeking smaller grants to support specific projects or operational needs rather than major institutional funding.

• Three Core Areas: The foundation's focus on philanthropy/grantmaking, human services, and healthcare defines the types of organizations most likely to receive support.

• Growing Asset Base: The foundation's receipt of $10 million in contributions in 2024 suggests expanded capacity for future grantmaking, though the invitation-only approach remains unchanged.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation Profile. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/810832167 (Accessed February 2026)

2. Cause IQ - Sieg and Doris Fischer Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sieg-and-doris-fischer-foundation,810832167/ (Accessed February 2026)

3. Charity Navigator - Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/810832167 (Accessed February 2026)

4. Instrumentl - Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sieg-and-doris-fischer-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

5. Grantmakers.io - Sieg and Doris Fischer Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/810832167-sieg-and-doris-fischer-family-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2018-2024, available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and GuideStar