Max M & Marjorie S Fisher Foundation
The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation is an independent family foundation established in 1955 and granted charitable status in July 1957. Located in Southfield, Michigan, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic work grounded in Jewish values and the principle of tzedakah—a Hebrew concept conveying fairness, justice, and the belief that donors benefit from philanthropy as much as recipients.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$280.0M
-0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.3M
-21.5% YoY
Grant Count
189
-12.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$81K
-10.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need. Operating in the Jewish tradition of tzedakah and tikkun olam (repairing the world), the foundation prioritizes:
- Providing for the needs of and ensuring the future of the Jewish people
- Respecting its legacy and commitment to the Detroit community
The foundation identifies five primary impact areas:
- Jewish
- Early Childhood
- Arts & Culture
- Impact Investing
- Legacy
Areas of critical importance include education, arts & culture, and health with particular attention to HIV/AIDS.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. The foundation's official purpose and activities include gifts, grants, or loans to other organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation maintains a particular commitment to the Detroit community while supporting Jewish causes and communities more broadly.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $280,244,201 (ledger value)
- Annual Income: $107,664,149
- Total Expenses: $27.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $9.98 million
- Revenue: $6.38 million
The foundation is ranked 74th among Michigan foundations by assets and 2,875th among the top 10,000 U.S. foundations by assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $280,007,862 | $280,244,201 | $279,901,104 |
| Revenue | $8,072,532 | $6,380,193 | $9,896,483 |
| Expenses | $21,492,813 | $27,230,526 | $23,126,911 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $19,171,276 | $23,854,888 | $19,755,707 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,964,184 | $2,404,228 | $6,358,328 |
| Distributable Amount | $14,192,032 | $13,879,489 | $14,375,178 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was founded by the late Max M. Fisher, an internationally-known businessman and philanthropist who spent much of his life raising money for philanthropic and political endeavors. He was a supporter of charitable and civic organizations and maintained connections to every U.S. presidential administration since President Dwight D. Eisenhower's regarding Jewish and Middle Eastern issues.
Marjorie S. Fisher served as a partner in the foundation's philanthropic work alongside Max M. Fisher. She was known to encourage giving in times of critical need and worked side-by-side with Mr. Fisher to create meaningful impact in communities.
The foundation was endowed following Max M. Fisher's death in 2005.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE FISHER CUMMINGS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PHILLIP WM FISHER | MANAGING TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR MARJORIE M FISHER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JANE F SHERMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID SHERMAN | NEXT GEN TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CAROLINE RAFFERTY | NEXT GEN TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AMANDA FISHER | NEXT GEN TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALISSANDRA ARONOW | NEXT GEN TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW SHERMAN | NEXT GEN TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DOUGLAS BITONTI STEWART | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $475,487 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation released its 2023-24 Impact Report titled "Together & Forward," highlighting ongoing work across its impact areas. The foundation has engaged in reflective practice, including articles on closing the feedback loop with grantees and increasing joy in organizational work. Aaron Dworkin was announced as Poet Journalist in Residence, reflecting the foundation's commitment to arts and culture.
The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation Announces Brightmoor Capacity-BuildingThe foundation has also supported Israeli business development initiatives in partnership with Detroit-based organizations.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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