Maria Fisher Foundation
The MARIA FISHER FOUNDATION is a private foundation based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations and scholarship recipients, with listed grants primarily in Pennsylvania.
Key facts about Maria Fisher Foundation
In short: Maria Fisher Foundation gave $91K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 81-1213285
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $90,601
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- Average grant
- $5,329
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $2,032,540
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
+19.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$91K
+154.8% YoY
Grant Count
17
+88.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+34.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Maria Fisher Foundation reported a distributable amount of $92K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Maria Fisher Foundation gives
- 13% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 2920% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included charitable donations and scholarships. Among the grantees, Milagro House says it provides educational programming, housing, and life-skills training for women and children experiencing homelessness. ASSETS Lancaster describes its work as supporting entrepreneurs and helping businesses improve their social and environmental impact. Tenfold says it works on equitable housing and financial security, and World Central Kitchen says it provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $90,601. Grants ranged from $50 to $35,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest listed awards were $35,000 to Milagro House, $25,000 to Children Deserve a Chance FoundationAttollo, $10,000 to Kamp Dovetail, and $5,000 to ASSETS Lancaster. Other listed awards included $3,500 to Launch Music Conference for a scholarship, $3,000 each to Alisa Torres and Nativity School for scholarships, and $1,750 to A Week Away.
Ready to take the next step with Maria Fisher Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 11% to Ohio, and 1% to Washington, DC. The filing also reports 0% shares for Tennessee and Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2022) to $91K (2025). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $91K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Milagro House ($35K). Together the top 10 received $88K.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 33 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milagro House Lancaster, PA | Donation to Charity | $35,000 |
| Children Deserve a Chance Foundationattollo Lancaster, PA | Donation to Charity | $25,000 |
| Kamp Dovetail Hillsboro, OH | Donation to Charity | $10,000 |
| Assets Lancaster Lancaster, PA | Donation to Charity | $5,000 |
| Launch Music Conference Lancaster, PA | Scholarship | $3,500 |
| Alisa Torres Columbia, PA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Nativity School Harrisburg, PA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| A Week Away Lancaster, PA | Donation to Charity | $1,750 |
| Trinity Reformed Ucoc Mountville, PA | Donation to Charity | $1,000 |
| Water Street Rescue Mission Lancaster, PA | Donation to Charity | $1,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,032,540 | $85,480 | $92,981 | $90,601 |
| 2024 | $1,706,783 | $1,542,302 | $36,344 | $35,563 |
| 2023 | $200,825 | $12,073 | $16,696 | $16,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,032,540 | $1,706,783 | $200,825 |
| Revenue | $85,480 | $1,542,302 | $12,073 |
| Expenses | $92,981 | $36,344 | $16,696 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $90,601 | $35,563 | $16,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $44,431 | $22,421 | $11,073 |
| Distributable Amount | $92,149 | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Daniel Fisher as president and secretary, Tricia Fisher as vice president and treasurer, and Connie Fisher as a board member.
Maria Fisher Foundation is led by Daniel Fisher, President & Secretary on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel Fisher
President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Connie Fisher
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tricia Fisher
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 22 Station Stone Lane, Lititz, PA 17513
Phone: (717) 368-6311
Frequently asked questions about Maria Fisher Foundation
How much does Maria Fisher Foundation give each year?
Maria Fisher Foundation gave $91K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $36K across 9 grants.
What is Maria Fisher Foundation's typical grant size?
Maria Fisher Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $5,329, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Maria Fisher Foundation give grants?
Maria Fisher Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (7 grants) and Columbia, PA (3 grants).
Does Maria Fisher Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Maria Fisher Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation to Charity" (14 grants) and "Scholarship" (3 grants).
Who are Maria Fisher Foundation's largest grantees?
Maria Fisher Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Milagro House ($35,000), Children Deserve a Chance Foundationattollo ($25,000) and Kamp Dovetail ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Maria Fisher Foundation?
Maria Fisher Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $91K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $92K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Maria Fisher Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included charitable donations and scholarships. Among the grantees, Milagro House says it provides educational programming, housing, and life-skills training for women and children experiencing homelessness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Maria Fisher Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Maria Fisher Foundation's EIN?
Maria Fisher Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1213285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Maria Fisher Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Maria Fisher Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maria Fisher Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds basic needs, racial equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, primarily for organizations located in or serving Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,576, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic engagement, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training across the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $45 to $7.78 million, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a limited open-application process, though it recommends applying through a relevant RFP when available.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation
Coraopolis, PA
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports programs that reduce barriers to participation, with additional support for public lands and outdoor access. Its 2025 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, and its Sports Matter program supports eligible organizations across the U.S. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only.
Assets
$34.5M
Grants
964
Total Given
$18.0M
Hillman Family Foundations
Pittsburgh, PA
The 18 independently operated Hillman foundations fund varied projects—including arts, health, education, workforce development, and community development—with priorities and geographic reach that differ by foundation. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median award of $20,000. The stated application process begins with a brief letter of intent through the online portal; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
Pidc Financing Corporation
Philadelphia, PA
PIDC Financing Corporation administers Pennsylvania’s PIDA loan program, which finances businesses’ real estate acquisitions, leasehold improvements, and capital equipment, and the state-funded Local Share Account grant program. It reported no grants in 2022–2024, so no typical grant size is stated; program eligibility areas and whether it accepts unsolicited requests are not specified.
Assets
$6.7M
Grants
774
Total Given
$16.4M
Pennsylvania Cdfi Network
Philadelphia, PA
The Pennsylvania CDFI Network funds Pennsylvania CDFIs and related organizations for technical assistance and loan capital supporting small businesses and community development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $7.1 million, with a median of $10,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5M
Grants
180
Total Given
$15.5M
The Philadelphia Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Foundation supports economic mobility and vulnerable residents in Greater Philadelphia, with funding also available through specific arts, culture, and other initiatives. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,500, though awards varied widely; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$704.6M
Grants
715
Total Given
$39.1M
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Harrisburg, PA
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank supports food relief, hunger-prevention programs, and partner capacity-building, primarily through organizations serving its 27-county central Pennsylvania region. In 2025, its 26 grants ranged from $280 to $51,000, with a median of $3,000. No external grant application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
$40.1M
Grants
705
Total Given
$112.1M
Anabaptist Foundation
Lewisburg, PA
The Anabaptist Foundation funds churches and nonprofits, especially conservative Anabaptist organizations, for activities such as humanitarian aid, community assistance, and Christian ministry; most grant dollars went to Pennsylvania, with recipients also concentrated in Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, and Indiana. In 2025, its median grant was $23,500, though awards ranged from $5,300 to over $4 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.8M
Grants
582
Total Given
$42.2M
The Heinz Endowments
Pittsburgh, PA
The Heinz Endowments funds 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible government entities across arts and culture, civic participation, climate and health, community and economic development, food systems, veterans, and workforce. It focuses on southwestern Pennsylvania; grants in 2024 ranged from $1,500 to $6.04 million, with a median of $70,000. It accepts letters of inquiry on a rolling basis, and first-time applicants should begin with an LOI.
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
550
Total Given
$85.4M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with varied community initiatives, with grants across multiple states; in 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and it does not accept unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Maria Fisher Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?