Reserving a Room
Q. What are the requirements to stay at a Fisher House? How do I reserve a room?
A. Fisher Houses are given to the military services and Department of Veterans Affairs as a gift, and the commander or director of each medical center where the houses are located are responsible for establishing the eligibility, priorities, and selection criteria. Please communicate directly with a Fisher House manager for the requirements at a specific house from the "Current Houses" section of our web site.
Q. Is there a charge to stay at a Fisher House?
A. No. Fisher Houses at VA medical centers do not charge a room fee; all room fees for guest families at all Army, Navy, and Air Force Fisher Houses are paid by Fisher House Foundation.
Financial Considerations
Q. I have seen statements that no government funds are used for the program. Is this true?
A. Fisher House Foundation has received some Congressionally appropriated funds for the construction of new houses. Once an individual house is gifted to the military, it is supported by two sources of funds: (1) from the income generated by a Congressionally approved trust fund maintained by each military service (these funds are referred to as "nonappropriated funds") and (2) from voluntary donations, given by individuals and organizations. Houses located at VA medical centers do receive support from U.S. tax dollars.
Q. If government funds are utilized, why are donations needed?
A. The government pays only a portion of the costs. Ours is a "unique private - public partnership," and in many instances, because the funds benefit a specific individual or family, laws and regulations prohibit the expenditure of government funds, but do permit the expenditure of privately donated funds.
Q. What is Fisher House Foundation???s overhead rate?
A. When nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt file their annual federal tax return (IRS Form 990), they are required to categorize each expenditure in three categories: program expense, administration, and fundraising. In 2018, the administration and fundraising expenses were 8% of expenditure.
Privacy Policy
Q. What is Fisher House Foundation???s privacy policy?
A. Fisher House Foundation is committed to protecting your privacy and does not sell, trade, or provide donor contact information to other organizations. Donors will receive an acknowledgement letter and two copies of The Patriot each year. Fisher House Foundation does not use donor information for mail or telephone solicitation.
As of 2014, Fisher House Foundation publicly recognizes donors giving $25,000 or more in the Foundation???s annual report. Donors can opt out of this recognition.
Fisher House Foundation may use ???cookies??? and similar means to collect Aggregate Information to enhance your experience while using the Fisher House Websites.
Should you no longer wish to receive a copy of our print magazine, to keep your donation anonymous, or to change the name will appear, please contact us at 888-294-8560 or donations@fisherhouse.org.
If you have questions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at donations@fisherhouse.org or 888-294-8560.
Volunteering
Q. Do Fisher Houses need volunteers? What skills or background are needed?
A. Volunteering is done at the local Fisher Houses, and not through the Fisher House Foundation. We suggest you contact the manager of a Fisher House directly - either by telephone or email. The manager is in a better position to know what is needed at his or her house. The names, phone numbers, and email addresses for the managers is at the "Current Houses" section of our web site.
Q. May I stop by to visit a Fisher House?
A. In almost all cases, yes, but please have the courtesy to arrange your visit through the manager of the house you wish to visit in advance. Individuals or groups wishing to visit a Fisher House should do so during the week, and not over the weekend.
New Houses
Q. Are there going to be more Fisher Houses? Where will they be built?
A. We highlight future Fisher Houses - those under construction, and in the planning or design phase - on our web site. The decision where to build is based on need, and Fisher House Foundation board approval. Normally, a need and justification is submitted from the medical center to either the service Surgeon General (Army, Navy, or Air Force) or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Fisher Houses at VA medical centers. The requesting medical center commander or director must demonstrate that the medical center's mission attracts patients from far distances (at least 50 miles) for long periods of time. While the number of beds at a medical center is a consideration, the center must normally be a "center of excellence" or referral center for other smaller medical centers or hospitals.
Q. Who pays to build a Fisher House?
A. Fisher House Foundation pays for the construction costs and furnishings of each Fisher House. The Foundation also engages the local community to raise half the money for a new house.
Scholarships
Q. How do I apply for a scholarship?
A. There is a separate "Frequently Asked Questions" section for the Scholarships for Military Children Program. This question and others are included. Please go to www.militaryscholar.org and click on the FAQ section.
Q. I am a military spouse. Is there a scholarship program for me?
A. Fisher House Foundation sponsors a separate scholarship program for military spouses. The program is called the Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program and is administered by the National Military Family Association, in partnership with Fisher House Foundation. Find out more.
Grants
Q. Does Fisher House Foundation offer or provide grants?
A. The Foundation's grants program is done in conjunction with Newman's Own and the Military Times Media Group. Called the Newman's Own Awards, the three organizations will award $200,000 annually to organizations that are working to improve the quality of life for military families.
