The Fisher Charitable Foundation is a private operating foundation established by Dean L. Fisher, late of Rockport, Maine, which became active in 1997.

The Mission Statement of the Foundation states that the Fisher Charitable Foundation provides grants to tax-exempt charitable, §501(c)(3) organizations, primarily in Maine.

The Foundation welcomes proposals that offer creative solutions to community problems or take advantage of opportunities that will have a favorable impact on the quality of life for a number of people.

It is authorized by the Internal Revenue Service to make grants and contributions to charitable organizations other than political organizations.

No application will be considered from an organization unless it has been determined to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a) of the Code.  The Foundation will need evidence of this for its files at the time of application for a grant.

Pursuant to the Mission Statement, the Foundation generally limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which take place within the State of Maine.

The Foundation does not normally award grants to supplement annual campaigns for regular operations nor does it make multiple year gifts.  Having made a grant to a charitable organization, the Foundation does not generally make a subsequent grant for the same purpose.  In most cases, grants will not exceed $25,000.00.  Grants are not made to individuals.

The Foundation Trustees normally meet quarterly each year in March, June, September and December to consider requests for grants, with additional meetings as needed.  Requests should be submitted by the 15th of the month prior to the meeting.

Materials should be sufficiently complete to enable the Foundation to weigh the merits of the request, in comparison to others the Foundation receives.  Generally the Trustees do not meet with applicants; however, if questions arise, the Trustees may wish to arrange a meeting.