Fischer Family Foundation

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following guidelines:

• Nonprofit organization exempt from Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and units of government are eligible
• Not eligible are (c)(4) and (c)(6) agencies
• Serving populations aged 8 through 25 years old (flexibility on a case-by-case basis)
• Programs and/or services serving underserved populations, preferred
• A track record of effectiveness and financial stability as demonstrated in recent annual reports and/or financial statements
• An emphasis on quality of experience over quantity; for instance, spending more on one person for better treatment or summer experience rather than trying to get lesser quality treatment for more people
• Priority will be given to organizations operating within Southwest Florida (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties); applications from outside the SWFL region may be considered if the project demonstrates significant impact or innovation

Funding Priorities

Funding priority is given, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Substance Abuse
• Prevention and education programs targeting youth and at-risk populations
• Accessible treatment and recovery support services
• Harm-reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs
• Mental health
• Initiatives that improve access to mental health services in underserved areas
• Programs addressing the mental health needs such as summer camp, overnight retreats
• Camps serving underprivileged children including scholarships for low-income families
• Outdoor education programs that promote environmental stewardship and experiential learning
• Priority will be given to requests to provide underprivileged youth access to opportunities for connection, skill building, conflict resolution, independence, and new experiences that can enrich their lives socially and emotionally

Grant Types

• The Fischer Family Foundation offers project-specific grants, general operating support and capacity-building grants
• Multi-year grants may be considered for well-established organizations with a proven track record

Grant Size

• Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, yet larger grants may be awarded for exceptional projects

Application Process

• Applicants must submit a complete online application form, including a detailed project proposal and budget
• Initial inquiries or letters of intent may be required before submitting a full proposal

Evaluation Criteria

• Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the foundation’s mission and priorities, potential for impact, and organization capacity
• Financial sustainability and responsible fiscal management will also be assessed

 

Reporting Requirements

• Grantees are expected to provide regular progress reports, financial statements, and a final evaluation report
• Site visits or virtual meetings may be scheduled to discuss project outcomes
• Grantees will be required to issue a news release announcing their grant award and may include a photo of the check presentation, if possible; the release must be reviewed and approved by Family Fischer Foundation prior to distribution; if the organization needs assistance drafting the news release, support may be provided
• Grant recipients are encouraged to include mention of Family Fischer Foundation’s support on applicable collateral materials and communication platforms (website, email, social media, etc.)

Review and Decision Process

• Applications will be reviewed by a grant review committee, which may include external advisors
• The request will be evaluated based on the clarity of intention, precision of explanations and thoughtfulness of funding allocation
• Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants within 30 days
• The Fischer Family Foundation executes grants either by invitation or introduction