Fisher House 2013 Annual Report

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC. 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC.

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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.

2013 STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS 2013 Highlights:

Since 1990:

Families served: More than 22,000

Families served in Fisher Houses: More than 200,000

Average length of stay: 10 days

Number of lodging days offered: 5.2 million

Average for combat casualties: 45-60 days

Hero Miles tickets: More than 45,000

Daily lodging capacity: 812 families

Saved costs to families: More than $235 million in lodging and transportation

Hero Miles tickets issued: More than 10,000 Saved costs to families: More than $35 million in lodging and transportation

The Hero Miles program uses donated airline frequent flyer miles to bring loved ones to the bedside of wounded, injured and ill service members. Our Hero Miles program issued 10,744 tickets in 2013, a savings to the families exceeding $16 million. Since its inception, Hero Miles has issued more than 50,000 tickets, valued at more than $73 million. We are grateful to our generous partners, including: ★ ★ ★ ★

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AirTran Airways Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines

2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

★ Frontier Airlines ★ United Airlines ★ US Airways

The Hotels for Heroes program uses donated hotel points to provide hotel rooms to families of the wounded, injured and ill military service members who are undergoing treatment at authorized medical centers when a Fisher House room is not available. In 2013, we provided 2,631 free nights of stay at hotels, saving families nearly $380,000.

We are grateful to our generous partners, including: ★ ★ ★ ★

AmericInn Best Western Choice Hotels La Quinta Inns and Suites

★ Marriott ★ Starwood ★ Wyndham

LETTER FROM KENNETH FISHER

Dear Friends, At least once a year, as my children were growing up, we would mark the door of the refrigerator to measure their growth. Growth isn’t easy to visualize and while those pencil marks don’t tell the whole story — they certainly provide a structure that allows us to monitor our progress.

In a similar fashion, Fisher House Foundation can mark the progress our programs have made. In 2013, that meant four new Fisher Houses dedicated in San Antonio, TX; Murfreesboro, TN; Houston, TX; and Birmingham, England. Fisher Houses also recorded their five millionth night of lodging for guest families, a number we could never have imagined when the program began nearly 25 years ago. Our Hero Miles program issued more than 10,000 tickets in 2013, and saved families an incredible $16 million. In total, Fisher House has issued more than 50,000 tickets since 2004. And the 10 th Fisher House Golf Classic raised over $800,000 for construction costs of the Fisher House at Fort Bragg, NC. Yet just as pencil marks on a door do not tell the whole story, these milestones only begin to tell the story of our work in 2013 and what it has meant to thousands of families.

The larger story includes new friends, from our British charity partners and His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, who stood with us when we opened the doors of the Birmingham Fisher House, to Kangaroo Express, a convenience store chain with more than 1,600 outlets in the southeastern United States that donated more than a half million dollars. We also had the opportunity to step forward to support grief-stricken military families during October’s government shutdown when the Department of Defense could not pay the death benefits earned by service members through their ultimate sacrifice. Though the crisis ended quickly, we knew the right thing to do was to distribute gifts given by a grateful Nation totaling $750,000 to these deserving families.

Milestones are important, and I am proud of the progress Fisher House has made since my late Uncle Zachary started the program in 1990. The Fisher House program is supported by thousands of individuals — from the dedicated donors in the Combined Federal Campaign — to the motivated Team Fisher House competitors at races across the world — to corporations that make honoring our military the heart of their social responsibility.

Fisher House Foundation continues to grow, and just as with my own children — I couldn’t be prouder to add another pencil mark to the door.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kenneth Fisher Chairman and CEO Fisher House Foundation, Inc.

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HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS The core of Fisher House Foundation’s mission is its homes for military and veterans’ families. In 2013 we added Fisher Houses at the following locations: • S outh Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas • Q ueen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom • M ichael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas (second house) • T ennessee Valley Healthcare System, Murfreesboro Site preparation for homes began at: • Malcom Randall VA Hospital, Gainesville, Florida • T ravis Air Force Base, California (second house)

• O ur Fisher Houses passed a milestone in 2013, when we marked the five millionth lodging night for military and veterans’ families.

• P artnering with charities in the United Kingdom, Fisher House Foundation opened a home in Birmingham, England on June 21, 2013.

The two-story property is a short walk from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and provides a place where the families of British wounded, injured and ill service members can stay, free of charge, while their loved ones receive treatment.

• F isher House Foundation became a national charity partner of Kangaroo Express, a chain of over 1,600 convenience stores across the southeastern United States. Through their Salute Our Troops campaign, Kangaroo Express has raised more than $8.4 million for veterans’ and military charities since 2011. This year, Fisher House received more than $528,000 from this great partner to build a new Fisher House at Fort Bragg, NC. • T he fundraising vision of the late Fisher House Foundation Trustee, Steve Michael, celebrated a milestone with the 10 th Fisher House Golf Classic. This annual event, held at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA raised over $800,000 for construction of the Fisher House at Fort Bragg. It also surpassed the $5 million mark in total donations since the inaugural event founded by Steve in 2004.

• A s a result of the shutdown of the Federal government in October, death benefits were not immediately paid to the families of service members who passed away while on active duty. Chairman Ken Fisher reached out to the Secretary of Defense who accepted his offer for Fisher House Foundation to make those payments to the families until Congress restored funding. Though Congress eventually passed supplemental legislation, Fisher House Foundation made gifts of $25,000 to each family of the 30 service members.

• I n its 12 th year, the Scholarships for Military Children Program awarded more than 670 scholarships of $1,500 each to sons and daughters of active, retired or reserve military members, for a total of $1 million. The Heroes’ Legacy Program also provided scholarship grants to children of service members killed or permanently disabled since 9/11. Originally funded by President and Mrs. Obama, this program assisted 65 students with a total of $325,000 in scholarship grants. Additionally, in 2013, $100,000 in scholarships was distributed to military spouses.

• T eam Fisher House, the online, grassroots fundraising program of Fisher House Foundation, organizes running teams for various race events nationwide, as well as independent online fundraisers and 3rd party fundraisers hosting events in their communities. Teams at the five major military races brought in $780,000 in 2013, part of the $2.67 million raised since its inception in 2006. All these Champions for Military Families use customizable online platforms, filled with fundraising tips, tools and best practices, to raise funds and awareness for Fisher House. Team Fisher House, filled with team spirit in their bright yellow race jerseys, is a vibrant presence at the annual Marine Corps Marathon and Army Ten Miler.

• F or the ninth consecutive year, Fisher House Foundation was nationally recognized as a premier non-profit with a four-star Charity Navigator rating, as well as a continued A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy. These are the highest watchdog ratings a charity can receive.

• F or the third year, Fisher House Foundation supported the Warrior Games, a week-long competition where more than 200 wounded, injured and ill service members and veterans compete in Paralympic sports at the US Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy. We partnered with other non-profits to create a support program bringing families and friends to cheer at the Games, including providing Hero Miles flights.

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2013 ANNUAL REPORT

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENT EXCERPTS Revenue and Expenses January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

Support and Revenue Contributions Special Events (net of expenses) Donated Goods, Services and Media Time

2013 $41,300,181 1,936,492 20,430,769

Interest and Dividend Income

73,299

Realized Loss on Sale of Donated Securities

(3,305)

Total Support and Revenue

$63,737,436

Expenses Program Services

$45,806,138

Management and General

1,532,022

Fundraising

2,752,412

Total Expenses Change in Net Assets

$50,090,572 13,646,864

Net Assets Beginning of 2013

$45,942,028

End of 2013

$59,588,892

Source: Fisher House Foundation, Inc. Audited Financial Statements.

Complete copies of certified public accountant’s report are available on our website.

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOUNDERS Zachary Fisher (1910–1999) Elizabeth M. Fisher (1913–2004)

OFFICERS Chairman and CEO........................................Kenneth Fisher Executive Vice Chairman...............................Winston Fisher Vice Chairman..............................................Arnold Fisher Vice Chairman..............................................Audrey Fisher Vice Chairman..............................................Nancy Edelman Vice President and Secretary.........................John W. Lowe CFO and Treasurer........................................David D. Fox

TRUSTEES Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty, USANG (Ret.) Gerry Byrne General Michael P.C. Carns, USAF (Ret.) Jim Carrier Cecily Carson Patricia Courter David Dinkins, Jr. Lieutenant General John Dubia, USA (Ret.) Martin Edelman Tammy Fisher Barbara Gentry

Elaine Howard “Ranger” Mark Jones Lieutenant General Charles Mahan, USA (Ret.) Command Sergeant Major Marvin Hill, USA (Ret.) David McIntyre Erin Moseley General Richard Myers, USAF (Ret.) Mary Jo Myers A. Jack Nickert Lynne Pace William Pope

FOUNDATION STAFF 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 of Development........................................Denise Dolan Director, Team Fisher House.............................................Cathy Cabrey Director, Donations..........................................................Andrew Kayton Director, Hero Programs...................................................Leticia “Tish” Stropes Chief Accountant.............................................................Coreen Burnett Controller........................................................................Colleen Luparello Digital Media Coordinator.................................................Lisa DiGangi Communications and PR Coordinator................................Ashley Estill Hero Miles Program Administrator.....................................Gillian Gonzalez Hotels for Heroes Program Administrator...........................Marcela Appelhanz Operations Officer............................................................Bruce Phillips Business Partnership Officer............................................Stacy Thomas Special Programs Officer..................................................Vicki Reeping Program Assistant, Team Fisher House.............................Stacy Toner Donations Assistant.........................................................Kyle Neff Grants Coordinator..........................................................Megan Wynn Receptionist....................................................................Makenzie Schulz

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2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Suzie Schwartz Lieutenant General Martin Steele, USMC (Ret.) General Gordon Sullivan, USA (Ret.) Denzel Washington Pauletta Washington Gail Berry West Bill White Montel Williams

ZACHARY AND ELIZABETH M. FISHER HOUSES ALASKA Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital Anchorage CALIFORNIA David Grant USAF Medical Center I & II Travis Air Force Base Naval Medical Center I & II San Diego VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System VA Palo Alto Health Care System

COLORADO VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Denver DELAWARE Fisher House for Families of the Fallen Dover Air Force Base DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington DC VA Medical Center FLORIDA Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Eglin Air Force Hospital Eglin Air Force Base James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Tampa Malcom Randall VA Hospital Gainesville Miami VA Healthcare System West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

GEORGIA Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Augusta Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Hospital Fort Gordon

HAWAII Tripler Army Medical Center I & II Honolulu ILLINOIS Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Chicago KENTUCKY Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Fort Campbell MARYLAND Malcolm Grow Clinics & Surgery Center Andrews Air Force Base Walter Reed National Military Medical Center I, II, Ill, IV, V Bethesda

Walter Reed – Forest Glen Annex Silver Spring

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center Richmond

MASSACHUSETTS VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

MINNESOTA Minneapolis VA Health Care System I & II

WASHINGTON Madigan Army Medical Center Joint Base Lewis-McChord

MISSISSIPPI Keesler Medical Center Biloxi

VA Puget Sound Healthcare System Seattle

MISSOURI VA St. Louis Health Care System NEW YORK Stratton VA Medical Center Albany NORTH CAROLINA Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital Womack Army Medical Center Fort Bragg

OHIO Cincinnati VA Medical Center Wright-Patterson Medical Center I & II Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

PENNSYLVANIA VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System TENNESSEE Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Murfreesboro TEXAS Brooke Army Medical Center I, II, Ill, IV, V, San Antonio Military Medical Center Fort Sam Houston Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Fort Hood Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, I & II Houston VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio

GERMANY Landstuhl Regional Medical Center I & II UNITED KINGDOM Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham FUTURE FISHER HOUSES There are currently 64 Fisher Houses in operation throughout the US and overseas in Germany and the United Kingdom. In addition to these 64 houses, the following projects are currently in design or under construction: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Tucson, AZ Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Camp Pendleton, CA VA Long Beach Healthcare System Long Beach, CA James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Tampa, FL (second house) Womack Army Medical Center Ft. Bragg, NC VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System N. Las Vegas, NV Portland VA Medical Center Portland, OR Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Charleston, SC Madigan Healthcare System Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA (second house) Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee, WI

Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center I, II, Ill San Antonio Military Medical Center Lackland Air Force Base William Beaumont Army Medical Center El Paso

UTAH Salt Lake City VA Health Care System VIRGINIA Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

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FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC. www.fisherhouse.org Corporate Office 299 Park Avenue New York, New York 10171 T (212) 940-6875 • F (212) 940-6270 2

2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Operations Office 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420 Rockville, Maryland 20850 T (301) 294-8560 • F (301) 294-8562 E-mail: info@fisherhouse.org