Fisher House Foundation
Founded1990
FounderZachary and Elizabeth Fisher
TypeNon-Profit Organization
FocusService members, veterans and their families
Location
MethodConstruction of comfortable temporary lodging facilities near military hospitals and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
Key people
Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO
Employees
25
Websitefisherhouse.org

Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is an international, nonprofit established to improve the quality of life for members of the military, veterans, and their families. The foundation builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. Fisher Houses are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve.

Other Quality of Life programs include the Hero Miles and Hotels for Heroes programs, ongoing assistance to Fisher Houses, scholarships, support for continuing rehabilitation initiatives, and individual assistance to members of the military and their families during a crisis.

History and Organization

Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher

The Fisher House program was established in 1990 by Zachary Fisher and Elizabeth Fisher in response to the recognized need for housing for military families while their loved ones were hospitalized.

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,[1] 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, Ken Fisher, Zachary’s grand-nephew, continues the legacy and serves as the Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation.

Housing

External videos
video icon Fisher House Foundation - Building a Fisher House

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.[1] Several other sites have expanded beyond their original square footage to accommodate more families.[2]

Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths.[3] Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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;

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.[15] Charity Navigator, a US charity rating agency, has designated the foundation with a four star rating for 16 straight years in 2019.[16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 MD, Robert Glatter. "Fisher House Foundation: Helping Military Families In Time Of Need". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  2. ↑ Times-Dispatch, BRIDGET BALCH Richmond. "Fisher House at McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center doubling capacity for no-cost housing". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  3. ↑ Foundation, Fisher House. "Fisher House Foundation Reaches 8 Million Nights of Lodging". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  4. ↑ "Fisher House - Walter Reed National Military Medical Center". www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  5. ↑ "Our Impact - Fisher House Foundation". fisherhouse.org. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  6. ↑ Sisk, Richard (2018-01-22). "Fisher House to Provide Military Death Benefits During Shutdown". Military.com. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  7. ↑ Jowers, Karen (2018-10-10). "'We just need each other': These five charities were honored for their work to help veterans". Military Times. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  8. ↑ Unilever (1 Nov 2018). "Suave and Fisher House Foundation Announce Partnership in Support of Military and Veterans' Families". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  9. ↑ "Fuzzy's Vodka Partners with Fisher House Foundation". Fisher House Foundation. March 11, 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  10. ↑ Murphy, Kaitlin; Childress, Kerri (August 7, 2017). "NFLPA Announces Partnership with Fisher House Foundation". NFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  11. 1 2 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. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  12. ↑ DelBrocco, Angela (2015). "Smokey Bones to Host Fisher House Foundation Partnership Launch Event". Smokey Bones. Archived from the original on Nov 11, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  13. ↑ "[Public Affairs] Samsung and Fisher House Foundation - Samsung US Newsroom". Samsung US Newsroom. 2015-11-18. Archived from the original on Nov 11, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  14. ↑ "Wal-Mart Partners with Minneapolis Fisher House to Spread Holiday Cheer to Military Families". Walmart Corporate. Nov 20, 2007. Archived from the original on Nov 11, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  15. ↑ "Fisher House Foundation recently voted top rate charity for supporting the military, veterans and their families". Association of the United States Army. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  16. ↑ Foundation, Fisher House. "FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION RECEIVES 14TH CONSECUTIVE 4-STAR RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
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