FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC 2014 ANNUAL REPORT 1
OUR MISSION Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is an international not-for-profit organization established to improve the quality of life for members of the military, retirees, Veterans and their families. The Foundation builds comfort homes at military and VA medical centers and gifts them to the government. It assists with the coordination of private support and encourages public support for the network of comfort homes known as “Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Houses.” It works to educate and inform the military and Veterans’ communities, their families and the general public about Fisher Houses and provides necessary support to individual Fisher Houses as needed. Other Quality of Life programs include scholarship programs, a grants program for volunteer organizations with innovative plans for quality of life projects, the “Hero Miles” and “Hotels for Heroes” programs and individual assistance to members of the military and their families during a crisis.
2
LETTER FROM KENNETH FISHER Dear Friends: The quality of the Fisher House experience is important to all of us. Just as the quality matters in each home we build, it also matters in the work we do to support those homes every day. And I’m proud to say, our 2014 Annual Report reflects that quality. •
On any given night Fisher House can provide a safe haven for more than 830 families.
•
Our Hero Miles program, which at the end of 2014 had purchased some 56,000 tickets, saved families an estimated $88 million, since inception.
•
We increased scholarships to $1.8 million, with half a million in scholarships going to the children of the fallen and disabled.
•
Hotels for Heroes, using donated hotel points, provided 1,942 free nights of stay just in 2014.
•
Last year, we brought in more than 27,000 new donors.
•
Fisher House was the only American sponsor of the international Invictus Games.
I am privileged to be part of such a great organization, and I want to thank those who continue to support our vital initiatives. Rarely does a week go by when I am not uplifted by a letter, an email, or a story filled with heartfelt thanks from the parents, spouses and children who are a critical part of the healing process of our wounded, injured or ill service members and Veterans. With heartfelt gratitude,
Chairman & CEO Fisher House Foundation
3
2014 IMPACT MORE THAN
10 DAYS
630,000
25,000
NUMBER OF LODGING DAYS OFFERED
FAMILIES SERVED IN FISHER HOUSES
848
IS THE AVERAGE STAY FOR COMBAT CASUALITIES
MORE THAN
10,000
DAILY LODGING CAPACITY
DAYS
IS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY
NEARLY
FAMILIES
45-60
$35 MILLION SAVED IN LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO FAMILIES
HERO MILES TICKETS
SINCE INCEPTION IN 1990 2014 IMPACT # OF FAMILIES SERVED:
# OF LODGING DAYS OFFERED:
OVER 250,000
6 MILLION
SAVED FAMILIES MORE THAN
# OF FISHER HOUSES:
$282 MILLION
65
IN LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS
4
2014 IMPACT CONSTRUCTION The core of Fisher House Foundation’s mission is its homes for military and Veterans’ families. In 2014, Fisher Houses were opened at the following locations: • North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL • David Grant USAF Medical Center (second house), Travis Air Force Base, CA Site preparation for Fisher Houses began at: • Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA (second house) • VA Portland Health Care System, OR • Camp Pendleton, CA • Fort Bragg, NC • Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, WI
The Hero Miles program uses donated airline flyer miles to bring loved ones to the bedside of wounded, injured or ill service members. • 9,711 tickets in 2014 • Savings to the families: over $15 million
The Hotels for Heroes program uses donated hotel points to provide hotel rooms to families of the wounded, injured or ill military service members who are undergoing treatment at authorized medical centers when a Fisher House room is not available. • 1,942 free nights of stay in 2014 • Savings to families: over $300,000
Airline Partners: Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines
Hotel Partners: AmericInn Best Western Choice Hotels Hilton
Frontier Airlines United Airlines US Airways
5
La Quinta Inns & Suites Marriott Wyndham
2014 IMPACT FAMILY PROGRAMS
Fisher House Foundation was a sponsor of the London-based, inaugural Invictus Games, led by Prince Harry. Fisher House Foundation was the only American sponsor, and the only charity sponsor for the games. The Foundation also provided uniforms to the US athletes, and support gear to their families in attendance, who were flown to London via our Hero Miles program. Over 160 family members were in attendance.
For the fourth year, Fisher House Foundation supported the Warrior Games, a week-long competition where more than 200 wounded, injured or ill service members and Veterans competed in paralympic sports at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. To ensure they were able to support their loved ones, Fisher House provided flights to the families of participating athletes.
SCHOLARSHIPS
In its 14th year, the Scholarships for Military Children Program awarded 600 scholarships of $2,000 each to sons and daughters of active, retired or reserve military members, for a total of $1.2 million. The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships program provided $5,000 grants to 108 children of service members killed or severely disabled since Sept. 11, 2001, for a total of $540,000 in scholarship grants. Additionally, Fisher House Foundation contributed $100,000 to the Joanne Holbrook Patton Scholarship for military spouses.
COMMUNICATIONS
Fisher House Foundation maintains a powerful partnership with the nation’s radio stations. Our three-hour Memorial Day 2014 news/ talk show aired on 140 stations, as well as online and via apps like iHeartRadio. The Holiday 2014 country show attracted Garth Brooks as host. The estimated air value of Fisher House’s 3-hour radio programming in 2014 was $1.6 million. Radio audiences also discover Fisher House through year-round interviews on local and syndicated shows, as well as widely-aired public service announcements. This year, Fisher House Foundation was presented with three Hermes Creative Awards, an international competition for creative professionals. Awards were given for The Patriot magazine and for the Public Service Announcement titled, “A Hero’s Story.” We could not win these awards without gracious support from Don Schaaf and Friends who help design the magazine, which received two of the three awards, and from David Freed, a Hollywood producer and his team for creating a captivating Public Service Announcement.
6
OUR SUPPORTERS At Fisher House, we take pride in being fiscally responsible with funds entrusted to us by thousands of individuals and organizations each year.
2014 Revenue from our Supporters In 2014, 30% of Fisher House Foundation’s total revenue was given through the generosity of the American people and individuals worldwide, including more than $3.6 million from individuals who left a bequest to Fisher House Foundation.
Organizations
Organizational support in 2014 accounted for 48% of total giving, including over $15 million of in-kind donations from travel industry partners and over $900,000 from cause-related marketing efforts from a variety of businesses.
Foundations Federal Individuals
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 2014 marked Team Fisher House’s largest turnout. With 836 runners cheered on by 782 cow hat wearing and bell ringing volunteers, Team Fisher House stood out with its signature yellow gear at Marine Corps Historic Half, Navy - Air Force 1/2 Marathon, Air Force Marathon, Army Ten Miler and Marine Corps Marathon. Fisher House Foundation’s wonderful radio partners moved thousands of listeners to donate through station-hosted radiothons. From Washington, DC’s WMAL December radiothon to California’s Armstrong and Getty Veterans
7
Day efforts, nearly $1.2 million was raised along with increased public awareness. The 11th Annual Fisher House Golf Classic raised over $1 million for the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship program. Held in early May at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia, wounded warriors and Medal of Honor recipients joined corporate VIPs on the golf course. The evening program was emceed by CNN Correspondent Kyra Phillips and CNN White House Correspondent Brianna Keilar.
REVENUE & EXPENSES JANUARY 1, 2014 - DECEMBER 31, 2014 In 2014, for the 10th consecutive year, Fisher House Foundation was nationally recognized as a premier nonprofit with a four-star Charity Navigator rating, as well as a continued A+ from CharityWatch.
REVENUE Grants and Contributions
$38,735,070
Special Events
$2,038,521
Donated Goods
$18,151,557
TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE
$58,925,148
EXPENSES Program Services
$39,075,207
Management and General
$2,700,675
Fundraising
$2,481,755
TOTAL EXPENSES
$44,257,637
Change in net assets before non-operating items
$14,667,511
NON-OPERATING ITEMS Loss on disposal of property and equipment Investment income
($13,170) $138,355
TOTAL NON-OPERATING ITEMS
$125,185
Changes in net assets
$14,792,696
Net assets at the beginning of the year
$59,588,892
NET ASSETS AT THE END OF THE YEAR
$74,381,588
Source: Fisher House Foundation, Inc. Audited Financial Statements. Complete copies of certified public accountant’s report are available on our website.
8
FOUNDERS Zachary Fisher (1910-1999) Elizabeth M. Fisher (1913-2004)
OFFICERS
Chairman and CEO......................... Kenneth Fisher Vice Chairman ................................ Arnold Fisher Vice Chairman................................. Audrey Fisher Vice Chairman................................. Winston Fisher Vice Chairman................................. Nancy Edelman Vice President & Secretary.............. John W. Lowe CFO and Treasurer.......................... David D. Fox
TRUSTEES Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty, USA (Ret.) Gerry Byrne Paul W. Bucha General Michael P.C. Carns, USAF (Ret.) James W. Carrier Cecily M. Carson Patricia L. Courter Lieutenant General John A. Dubia, USA (Ret.) Martin L. Edelman Tammy Fisher Barbara Gentry Mark “Ranger” Jones Lieutenant General Charles S. Mahan, USA (Ret.) David J. McIntyre, Jr. Erin Moseley
Bruce Mosler General Richard B. Myers, USAF (Ret.) Mary Jo Myers A. Jack Nickert Lynne Pace Kyra Phillips William P. Pope Suzie Schwartz Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele, USMC (Ret.) General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.) Denzel Washington Pauletta Washington Gail Berry West Montel Williams
FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
President........................................................................... David A. Coker Chief of Staff..................................................................... Mary B. Considine Vice President, Communications...................................... Kerri Childress Vice President, Community Relations and Programs....... Derek Donovan Vice President, Operations............................................... Brian Gawne Vice President, Consultant................................................ James Weiskopf Senior Director, Development........................................... Denise Dolan
9
ELIZABETH’S CIRCLE Elizabeth and Zachary Fisher are the founders of the Fisher House program. In the early years, Elizabeth and Zachary personally funded more than 20 of the first Fisher Houses. Their legacy continues today with 60+ Fisher Houses in operation. Individuals and organizations who made gifts of $25,000 or more in 2014 are members of Elizabeth’s Circle and recognized below.
PRESIDENTIAL ($1,000,000 and more) Fisher House Wisconsin The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. The Tina Crowley Revocable Trust United Health Foundation
PLATINUM ($500,000 - $999,999) Air Force Fisher House Fund Reynolds Consumer Products Richard A. Lumsden Foundation
GOLD ($100,000 - $499,000) Anonymous (14) Bob Woodruff Foundation Ms. Susan Bring The Cannon Foundation Chesapeake Support our Heroes, Inc. Click Family Foundation Delta Air Lines The Fisher / Nightingale Houses, Inc. Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. The Frances C. Lordigan Living Trust
Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House Friends of Travis Fisher House Martin Foundation Masco Corporation Foundation Mr. & Mrs. James McGinity Motorola Solutions Foundation The Pantry, Inc. Procter & Gamble Company Mr. & Mrs. Steven Quakenbush SAP Public Services, Inc.
The Schoen Foundation Tee it up for the Troops, Inc. United Airlines Foundation The USAA Foundaiton, Inc. Vantage West Credit Union The Wohlers Family Foundation
Because of the generosity of so many who make gifts both large and small, Fisher House continues to serve more families each year. Gifts in all amounts are sincerely appreciated and we would like to extend our gratitude to all of our generous supporters. 10
SILVER
($50,000 - $99,999) Alice F. & Cortland J. Knipe Charitable Trust Anonymous (6) Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation Costco Wholesale The Country Club of Sapphire Valley, Inc. DELTA Resources, Inc. Diane and Dorothy Brooks Foundation Ms. Nancy Edelman Finmeccanica Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner, LLP Firestar Diamond, Inc. Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Hospital Corporation of America The Ida K. Daly Revocable Trust Imperial Brands, Inc. Mr. Pliny Jewell, IV Kellogg’s Citizenship Fund LAT Apparel
Linden Root Dickinson Foundation Lockheed Martin - MS2 - Integrated Defense Technologies The Mark P. Norman Charitable Lead Annuity Trust Morningside Foundation Fund Kahlert Foundation, Inc. National Philanthropic Trust New Holland Agriculture & Construction Oshkosh Corporation PGA of America The Randi & Clifford Lane Foundation, Inc. Richard and Karen MacLeod Charitable Lead Annuity Trust Sherwin-Williams Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, Inc. The Wasily Family Foundation The Wildflower Foundation, Inc. The Wine Group
PATRIOT ($25,000 - $49,000) 15/40 Productions, LTD A Greater Cause Foundation, Inc. Kappa Sigma Fraternity The AD Philanthropic Foundation Anonymous (16) The Arthur F. May Irrevocable Trust Axiom Resource Management, Inc. Bank of America Charitable Foundation Bath Fitter (an EcoMedia WellnessAd Partner) Bergen Foundation The Boyce Foundation Mrs. Sandy Boyce The Brightwater Fund, Gloria Jarecki CACI, Inc. Carahsoft Technology Corp. CGI Technologies & Solutions, Inc. The Chess Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation The Commerce Trust Co. Dorothy D. Smith Charitable Foundation Energy Transfer Partners, LP Eugene F. McKenney Fund Ferrara Candy Fisher Brothers Foundation Mr. Leslie Goldberg The Henry & Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, Inc. ISEC Foundation The John G. Martin Foundation L-3 Communications Corporation Land of the Free Foundation Lockheed Martin Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. NAF Finanical Service
11
Newman’s Own, Inc. The Newport Foundation, Inc. NFC Foundation North Star Foundation The R.E. “Bob” & Vivian Smith Foundation Reliable Carriers, Inc. Rosland Capital, LLC The Scrooby Foundation Mr. Darrell W. Simmerman Mr. Christopher Spathelf STR, LLC Sutter Health Town of Hampton, New Hampshire Mr. & Mrs. Kurt J. Ulrich United Concordia Dental Veterans United Foundation YOT Full Circle Foundation
Fisher House Foundation, Inc Corporate Office 299 Park Avenue New York, NY 10171 T (212) 940-6875 | F (212) 940-6270 Operations Office 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420 Rockville, Maryland 20850 T (301) 294-8560 | F (301) 294-8562 Email: info@fisherhouse.org
www.fisherhouse.org
12