POSTED BY ALEX K. SEBBY JANUARY 5, 2024
Q. What are the requirements to stay at a Fisher House? How do I reserve a room?
A. Fisher Houses are given to the military services and Department of Veterans Affairs as a gift, and the commander or director of each medical center where the houses are located are responsible for establishing the eligibility, priorities, and selection criteria.
Q. Is there a charge to stay at a Fisher House?
A. No. Fisher Houses at VA medical centers do not charge a room fee; all room fees for guest families at all Army, Navy, and Air Force Fisher Houses are paid by Fisher House Foundation.
Q. I have seen statements that no government funds are used for the program. Is this true?
A. Fisher House Foundation has received some Congressionally appropriated funds for the construction of new houses. Once an individual house is gifted to the military, it is supported by two sources of funds: (1) from the income generated by a Congressionally approved trust fund maintained by each military service (these funds are referred to as “non-appropriated funds”) and (2) from voluntary donations, given by individuals and organizations. Houses located at VA medical centers do receive support from U.S. tax dollars.
Q. If government funds are utilized, why are donations needed?
A. The government pays only a portion of the costs. Ours is a “unique private-public partnership,” and in many instances, because the funds benefit a specific individual or family, laws and regulations prohibit the expenditure of government funds, but do permit the expenditure of privately donated funds.
Q. What is Fisher House Foundation’s overhead rate?
A. When nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt file their annual federal tax return (IRS Form 990), they are required to categorize each expenditure in three categories: program expense, administration, and fundraising. In 2018, the administration and fundraising expenses were 8% of expenditure. Click here to dontate via Amazon. Send items to 1201 Broad Rock Blvd. Richmond, VA 23249 Phone: 804-675-6639.
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