Fisher House: Home Away from Home for Military Families

It began with the first generation of New York-based Fisher Brothers, and continues into the present one. In 1991, 81-year-old Zachary Fisher, one of three brothers behind the owner/developer and construction firm bearing their name, opened the first two Fisher House locations at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. (pictured).

Although prevented from active duty in World War II due to a leg injury, Zachary Fisher made supporting the military a lifelong cause, beginning with his assisting the U.S. Coastal Service in the construction of coastal fortifications during the war, and continuing through the decades.

As one illustration of his dedication, he may be the only prominent real estate figure to have had a U.S. Navy ship named in his honor—the USNS Fisher, commissioned in 1997.

Today, there are more than 75 Fisher House locations at military and Veterans Administration medical centers around the U.S. and in Europe, providing temporary lodging for families of service members who are undergoing treatment. On any given night, according to the Fisher House Foundation, more than 1,000 U.S. military families are staying in these houses.

The houses contain up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a dining room and a living room.

Since its inception, the Fisher House program has saved military families an estimated $407 million in out-of-pocket lodging and transportation costs.

Along with offering free stays at the Fisher House facilities themselves, the foundation has also benefited these families in other ways. These include the Hero Miles program, which uses donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members, and the Hotels for Heroes program, using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay near medical centers without charge.

The foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities, as well as scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans. To date, it has awarded more than $11 million in scholarships.

The third generation of the Fisher family now leads the Fisher House Foundation. Kenneth Fisher carries on the legacy of his great-uncle Zachary Fisher as chairman and CEO of the foundation.

Under his leadership, it has been among the few to hold an A+ rating from CharityWatch.org, and has received a perfect, four-star rating from Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years.

Kenneth Fisher also chairs the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, founded in 1978 by Zachary Fisher. He has spearheaded the museum’s transformation into a nonprofit educational institution, which provides award-winning STEM programs to thousands of children in New York City’s public school system.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Paul Bubny