Legacy Giving
In reverence to the memory of both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, the Foundation invests in institutions and partners that bear their names. The Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center (home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) and the Max M. Fisher Federation Building of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, are just three organizations working to keep Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s legacy at the forefront of society alive.
Together with our grant partners, we:
- Support opportunities honoring the lives and values of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher in a manner that pays tribute to their philanthropic legacy.
Known for his principled leadership, quiet but effective political diplomacy, and a steadfast belief in the revitalization of Detroit, Mr. Fisher’s contributions continue to impact society every day. To learn more about Mr. Fisher’s life, including historical documents, photos and more, please follow this link to the Max M. Fisher online archives.
Legacy Giving
In reverence to the memory of both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, the Foundation invests in institutions and partners that bear their names. The Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center (home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) and the Max M. Fisher Federation Building of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, are just three organizations working to keep Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s legacy at the forefront of society alive.
Together with our grant partners, we:
- Support opportunities honoring the lives and values of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher in a manner that pays tribute to their philanthropic legacy.
Known for his principled leadership, quiet but effective political diplomacy, and a steadfast belief in the revitalization of Detroit, Mr. Fisher’s contributions continue to impact society every day. To learn more about Mr. Fisher’s life, including historical documents, photos and more, please follow this link to the Max M. Fisher online archives.
Capacity Building Initiatives
All organizations, especially social impact organizations carrying a heavy load in many communities, need specialized skills to deliver results. The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation assists grant partners with their capacity building needs through strategic funding, planning and developing high-skilled leaders in the social sector. The ultimate goal in capacity building is to meet the organization where they are, and assist in taking them to where they’d like to be while remaining open to the possibility of a new way of working long-term. Another key component is to be strategic; using a multi-layered approach that can affect change both within the organization and its external environment, while investing in leadership development amongst the chief executive, key staff and board members.
Capacity Building Initiatives
All organizations, especially social impact organizations carrying a heavy load in many communities, need specialized skills to deliver results. The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation assists grant partners with their capacity building needs through strategic funding, planning and developing high-skilled leaders in the social sector. The ultimate goal in capacity building is to meet the organization where they are, and assist in taking them to where they’d like to be while remaining open to the possibility of a new way of working long-term. Another key component is to be strategic; using a multi-layered approach that can affect change both within the organization and its external environment, while investing in leadership development amongst the chief executive, key staff and board members.
Supporting the Sector
The Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the field of philanthropy by investing in organizations that provide essential resources, peer networks, sector research, and training, as well as by providing support to cultivate young professionals. With our grant partners, this funding sustains regional and national professional membership organizations, as well as event sponsorships and conference scholarships for equitable access to critical professional development resources.
Some of the many grant partners with work with in this space include the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council of Michigan Foundations, Jewish Funders Network, and the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
Supporting the Sector
The Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the field of philanthropy by investing in organizations that provide essential resources, peer networks, sector research, and training, as well as by providing support to cultivate young professionals. With our grant partners, this funding sustains regional and national professional membership organizations, as well as event sponsorships and conference scholarships for equitable access to critical professional development resources.
Some of the many grant partners with work with in this space include the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council of Michigan Foundations, Jewish Funders Network, and the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
Health/HIV
From 2007 to 2017, the Foundation invested millions of dollars in highly impactful Health/HIV work. These efforts, spearheaded by world-renowned activist and artist Mary Fisher, provided critical funding to direct service programs and research work for individuals facing HIV. The profound impact of this programming was experienced locally in Detroit in a partnership community in Lusaka, Zambia, as the fight for equal access to care and reduction of stigma continues. While tremendous gains have been made in the quality of care provided to individuals with HIV, the need for many remains critical.
The Foundation is honored to have been a part of this important work for more than a decade, providing support to notable organizations such as Global Health Corps (GHC), The University of Alabama’s 1917 Clinic, the Horizons Projects at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and Centre for Infectious Disease Control in Zambia (CIDRZ). Their powerful work continues to transform lives and prioritizes the needs of those affected by HIV.
Health/HIV
From 2007 to 2017, the Foundation invested millions of dollars in highly impactful Health/HIV work. These efforts, spearheaded by world-renowned activist and artist Mary Fisher, provided critical funding to direct service programs and research work for individuals facing HIV. The profound impact of this programming was experienced locally in Detroit in a partnership community in Lusaka, Zambia, as the fight for equal access to care and reduction of stigma continues. While tremendous gains have been made in the quality of care provided to individuals with HIV, the need for many remains critical.
The Foundation is honored to have been a part of this important work for more than a decade, providing support to notable organizations such as Global Health Corps (GHC), The University of Alabama’s 1917 Clinic, the Horizons Projects at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and Centre for Infectious Disease Control in Zambia (CIDRZ). Their powerful work continues to transform lives and prioritizes the needs of those affected by HIV.
Supporting Brightmoor Leaders
In 2017, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation launched Supporting Brightmoor Leaders, an innovative grant program for community members to invest in their own leadership development and support their work in the Brightmoor Community. Encompassing approximately 4 square miles, Brightmoor is a vibrant, family-friendly neighborhood on the northwest side of Detroit. Home to some of Detroit’s most entrepreneurial and artistic residents, Brightmoor has been the primary setting of the Foundation’s grantmaking for over a decade.
In Supporting Brightmoor Leaders, professional development and capacity building opportunities are made possible through grants of $5,000 or less. Participants range from organization leaders and block club volunteers, to small business owners and childcare providers, but all are united by a common goal: to serve Brightmoor and its residents. To enhance the Brightmoor Leaders’ efforts and to promote their personal and professional growth, the Foundation supports leadership development opportunities, including travel, educational training and conference attendance.
In December 2021, the Foundation’s trustees approved funding that will allow for the program to continue for another 5 years and for the implementation of grassroots grantmaking where residents and longtime community-based change agents in Brightmoor will guide the decision-making process.
Supporting Brightmoor Leaders
In 2017, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation launched Supporting Brightmoor Leaders, an innovative grant program for community members to invest in their own leadership development and support their work in the Brightmoor Community. Encompassing approximately 4 square miles, Brightmoor is a vibrant, family-friendly neighborhood on the northwest side of Detroit. Home to some of Detroit’s most entrepreneurial and artistic residents, Brightmoor has been the primary setting of the Foundation’s grantmaking for over a decade.
In Supporting Brightmoor Leaders, professional development and capacity building opportunities are made possible through grants of $5,000 or less. Participants range from organization leaders and block club volunteers, to small business owners and childcare providers, but all are united by a common goal: to serve Brightmoor and its residents. To enhance the Brightmoor Leaders’ efforts and to promote their personal and professional growth, the Foundation supports leadership development opportunities, including travel, educational training and conference attendance.
In December 2021, the Foundation’s trustees approved funding that will allow for the program to continue for another 5 years and for the implementation of grassroots grantmaking where residents and longtime community-based change agents in Brightmoor will guide the decision-making process.
