Fisher House Foundation

History and Organization

In 1991, the first Fisher House was inaugurated at the National Naval Medical Center (now Walter Reed Military Medical Center) in Bethesda, Maryland, with the presence of President George Bush Sr. and Mrs. Bush during the dedication ceremony.

The Fishers entered into a “public-private partnership” with the government, allowing Fisher to construct these homes on government-owned land. Subsequently, these homes were "gifted" back to the military to operate in perpetuity. Their aim was to provide families with a "home away from home," enabling them to be a part of the healing process.

The Fishers continued to use their personal funds to construct additional homes until Zachary Fisher's passing in 1999.

Currently, Kenneth Fisher, Zachary’s grand-nephew, continues the legacy and serves as the Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. In 2022, Fisher received the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the United States Military Academy alumni association, recognizing the work of the Fisher House Foundation in supporting military and veterans’ families.

Housing

As of September 2023, more than 95 Fisher Houses are in operation in the United States, Germany, and in the UK with partnership support from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity and Help for Heroes, which have opened accommodation for patients at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and their families. Several other sites have expanded beyond their original square footage to accommodate more families.

Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room.

Impact

According to the organization's 2022 annual impact report, the foundation had more than 445,000 families stay in Fisher Houses since 1990, saving them more than $575 million in lodging and travel expenses.

The organization has also covered death gratuity payments of $100,000 USD to families of soldiers killed in the line of duty during government shut-downs. During the 16-day 2013 government shutdown, they provided $750,000 in grants to 30 families.

Partnership

Over the years the Fisher House Foundation has partnered with other foundations, organizations, and companies in order, to raise money, stock the homes, and help those at the homes and military families. Some of those include;

• Newman's Own
• Suave
• Fuzzy's Vodka
• National Football League Players Association (NFLPA)
• Hope for the Warriors
• Food Lion Feeds
• Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
• Samsung
• Walmart [Operation: Deck the Walls]

Recognition

In 2018, the foundation was recognized as the top charity for supporting the military, veterans and their families, based on accountability, transparency and financial reports. Charity Navigator, a US charity rating agency, has designated the foundation with a four star rating for 16 consecutive years in 2019.

References

References

1. MD, Robert Glatter. "Fisher House Foundation: Helping Military Families In Time Of Need". Forbes.
2. (October 6, 2022). "Kenneth Fisher Receives Thayer Award". West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG).
3. Times-Dispatch, BRIDGET BALCH Richmond. "Fisher House at McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center doubling capacity for no-cost housing". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
4. Foundation, Fisher House. "Fisher House Foundation Reaches 8 Million Nights of Lodging". GlobeNewswire News Room.
5. "Fisher House - Walter Reed National Military Medical Center".
6. "Our Impact - Fisher House Foundation".
7. Sisk, Richard. (2018-01-22). "Fisher House to Provide Military Death Benefits During Shutdown". Military.com.
8. Jowers, Karen. (2018-10-10). "'We just need each other': These five charities were honored for their work to help veterans". Military Times.
9. Unilever. (1 Nov 2018). "Suave and Fisher House Foundation Announce Partnership in Support of Military and Veterans' Families".
10. (March 11, 2017). "Fuzzy's Vodka Partners with Fisher House Foundation".
11. Murphy, Kaitlin. (August 7, 2017). "NFLPA Announces Partnership with Fisher House Foundation".
12. Tolbert, Joshua M.. (Dec 26, 2017). "Hope For The Warriors and Food Lion Feeds partners with The Fisher House to provide service members with holiday meals". Military News.
13. DelBrocco, Angela. (2015). "Smokey Bones to Host Fisher House Foundation Partnership Launch Event". Smokey Bones.
14. (2015-11-18). "[Public Affairs] Samsung and Fisher House Foundation - Samsung US Newsroom". Samsung US Newsroom.
15. (Nov 20, 2007). "Wal-Mart Partners with Minneapolis Fisher House to Spread Holiday Cheer to Military Families".
16. (2018-08-02). "Fisher House Foundation recently voted top rate charity for supporting the military, veterans and their families". Association of the United States Army.
17. Foundation, Fisher House. "FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION RECEIVES 14TH CONSECUTIVE 4-STAR RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR". GlobeNewswire News Room.