Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher
The Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2009 and based in Annapolis, Maryland. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.0M
+2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$613K
+8.9% YoY
Grant Count
58
+1.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+7.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher reported a distributable amount of $642K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker that does not accept unsolicited applications. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
Grant Range
$5,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has demonstrated funding activity in Maryland, with particular connection to the Annapolis area and Anne Arundel County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024)
- Total assets: $7,032,858
- Total revenues: $871,186
- Total expenses: $689,015
Assets & Revenue (2023)
- Total assets: $6,850,432
- Total revenues: $622,000
- Total expenses: $611,000
The foundation maintains zero liabilities and operates with no employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,032,858 | $6,850,432 | $6,839,664 |
| Revenue | $871,186 | $621,719 | $47,609 |
| Expenses | $689,015 | $610,852 | $606,518 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $626,714 | $565,016 | $551,099 |
| Net Investment Income | $820,031 | $575,883 | $65,027 |
| Distributable Amount | $641,668 | $553,601 | $559,751 |
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Dana-farber Cancer Institute ($150,000), Annapolis Opera Company ($40,000), Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF AMERICA INC PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC HAGERSTOWN, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $18,000 |
| AMERICAN CHESTNUT LAND TRUST PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFTE | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM BALTIMORE, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $6,000 |
| ANNAPOLIS FILM FESTIVAL ANNAPOLIS, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $10,000 |
| ANNAPOLIS OPERA COMPANY ANNAPOLIS, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $40,000 |
| ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNAPOLIS, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $5,000 |
| ARUNDEL RIVERS FEDERATION EDGEWATER, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $2,500 |
| AWARE HARDWICK, VT | TO ASSIST A COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER | $5,000 |
| BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BALTIMORE, MD | TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY LIFE | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's trustees include:
- Claudia Gohl
- Tom Dekornfeld
- Nina Fisher
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAUDIA GOHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM DEKORNFELD | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NINA FISHER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE GIBB | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher?
The foundation is an active grantmaker that does not accept unsolicited applications. Recent grantmaking activity includes: **Grant Distribution (2024)** • Total giving: $613,000 across 58 grants • Median grant size: $5,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $150,000 • Giving rate: 8.7% of assets **Recent Grantees (2024)** • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: $150,000 • Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy: $68,000 • Annapolis Opera Company: $40,000 • Scenic Rivers Land Trust The foundation made 64 …
Where does Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher make grants?
The foundation has demonstrated funding activity in Maryland, with particular connection to the Annapolis area and Anne Arundel County.
What size grants does Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher award?
In 2024, Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher awarded 58 grants totaling $613K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher reported a distributable amount of $642K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher's EIN?
Norman J Fisher and Doris Fisher's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8973776. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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