Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation provides lodging for families of patients receiving care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Madigan Army Medical Center and other Veterans Health Administration and United States Department of Defense medical treatment facilities. Founded by philanthropist Zachary Fisher with support from Bettie Fisher and allied with leaders from Admiral Mike Mullen, General Richard Myers, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and veterans from Disabled American Veterans, the organization operates a network of homes near major military hospitals, collaborates with groups like USO, Wounded Warrior Project, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and maintains partnerships with foundations such as the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Semper Fi Fund.

History

Zachary Fisher established the organization in 1990 after engagement with stakeholders including Secretary of the Navy John Lehman and medical leaders at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Early expansion involved coordination with Congressman Steny Hoyer, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and advocacy from veterans' service organizations like American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. During the 1990s and 2000s the foundation expanded in response to operations such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, working with administrators from Army Medical Department and commanders from United States European Command to site homes near treatment centers including Brooke Army Medical Center and Madigan Army Medical Center. Post-9/11 casualty care reforms led to collaboration with Dr. Richard J. Shulman and policy input from Institute of Medicine task forces and Congressional committees on veterans' health. The 2010s saw partnerships with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and philanthropic initiatives involving notable donors such as The Starr Foundation and corporations like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics supporting capital campaigns. During the COVID-19 pandemic the foundation coordinated operations with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, and hospital systems including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic to adapt protocols for families.

Programs and Services

The foundation operates the Fisher House Program alongside the Hero Miles initiative, Hero Programs, and the Scholarships for Military Children program, engaging with organizations such as Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Blue Star Families and Folds of Honor. Lodging services mirror practices used by Red Cross disaster shelters, with referral systems integrating TRICARE case management and social workers from VA Medical Centers. The Hero Miles partnership uses frequent flyer programs from airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines to provide transport assistance, coordinated with airport authorities including Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Educational and scholarship programs connect beneficiaries with institutions such as United Service Organizations, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility offices. Volunteer and donor engagement includes corporate relations with Home Depot Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Philips, and GE Healthcare for in-kind support, and fundraising collaborations with events tied to Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and military reunion associations like Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Facilities and Locations

Fisher Houses are sited adjacent to medical centers including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, Madigan Army Medical Center, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, WRAMC, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center. International locations have supported patients from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and included coordination with Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and allied hospitals used by NATO partners such as British Army Medical Services and Canadian Forces Health Services. Facilities range from small homes near community hospitals to larger houses adjacent to tertiary care centers like Mayo Clinic satellite campuses and specialty centers including National Intrepid Center of Excellence and the VA Polytrauma System of Care. Construction projects have involved contractors and donors such as Turner Construction Company, Bechtel Corporation, Clark Construction Group, and philanthropic collaborations with The Fisher House Institute and local veterans' charities.

Funding and Governance

Funding streams include capital gifts from individuals such as Zachary Fisher and foundations like The Markle Foundation, corporate grants from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and fundraising partnerships with organizations including NFL Charities, MLB Charities, PGA TOUR Charities, and community groups like Toys for Tots. Government interactions have involved oversight by stakeholders such as Congressional Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the foundation has coordinated with federal entities like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense for siting and operating agreements. Governance features a board of directors with leaders from Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, and corporate boards including executives from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and KPMG. Financial accountability practices align with standards from National Council of Nonprofits, Independent Sector, and reporting frameworks used by Charity Navigator and GuideStar.

Impact and Recognition

The organization has been recognized by military and civic leaders including President George H. W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and Congress resolutions honoring service to military families. Awards and honors include acknowledgments from Department of Defense leadership, citations from the American Hospital Association, and partnerships with veteran service organizations like Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Studies by institutions such as RAND Corporation, Institute of Medicine, and Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery have cited the model for family-centered care and caregiver support during hospitalization. Impact metrics reported in collaboration with academic centers like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and policy analyses from The Brookings Institution show reduced family lodging costs, improved caregiver presence during treatment episodes at institutions including Mayo Clinic and Walter Reed, and enhanced continuity of care for beneficiaries from conflicts including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Continued recognition includes philanthropic awards from Association of Fundraising Professionals and public service acknowledgments from military commands such as United States Northern Command.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Maryland