The Bitner Fisher Foundation concentrates its giving exclusively on environmental conservation, directing funds to major conservation organizations. All recorded grants support The Nature Conservancy with funding designated for work in Florida, indicating a geographic interest in Gulf/Florida ecosystems and habitat protection. The foundation appears to fund programmatic conservation efforts rather than a broad set of causes.
Raymond George and Ruth Bitner Fisher Found’s recent giving is led by conservation work in Florida, with The Nature Conservancy receiving $30,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for multiple Florida efforts. That recurring pattern makes the foundation’s priorities unusually clear: environmental conservation sits alongside a set of selected nonprofit, disaster-response, and community-service grants, rather than a broad, general portfolio. The conservation grants point to land, habitat, and coastal protection in Florida and the Gulf region, while the rest of the portfolio includes unrestricted support for organizations serving children, health, veterans, and local communities. The foundation’s grant history also shows repeated support for the same recipients over multiple years, including Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches Inc, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Shriners’ Hospital for Children, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Inc. Those repeat awards suggest a steady relationship-based approach rather than one-time project funding alone. Alongside those larger gifts, the foundation also makes smaller awards in the $5,000 to $10,000 range to community organizations and emergency-relief groups.
Environmental conservation is the foundation’s clearest funding lane. It gave $30,000 to The Nature Conservancy in both 2023 and 2024, with the purpose described as multiple Florida efforts. Outside conservation, the foundation supports youth and family services. It gave $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches Inc for unrestricted general support, and $10,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach for support for Max Fisher. Health-related grants appear as well. Shriners’ Hospital for Children received $25,000 in both years for unrestricted general support, and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital received $15,000 in both years for unrestricted general support. The foundation also funds disaster relief and local support services, including recurring grants to Samaritan’s Purse and Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Inc.
Typical grants cluster tightly around a modest middle: p25 is $4,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent record also includes larger repeated gifts at $15,000, $25,000, and $30,000, but most awards sit near the lower end of that range. The pattern is clearly recurring rather than one-off; several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, often at the same amount. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grantmaking is regional, but the recent record suggests a relationship-based approach with repeat support to selected organizations.
$288K
$3.2M
$364K
$348K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 4% of grants go to recipients in FL.
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Highly concentrated: repeat, targeted grants to a single national conservation organization focused on Florida; small number of mid-size grants rather than many diverse recipients.
Notable grantees: The Nature Conservancy
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 56 recorded grants to U.S. organizations. Florida is the top giving state, and several recipient cities appear repeatedly, including Maitland, Boys Ranch, Palmetto, Tampa, The Villages, West Palm Beach, Tavares, Leesburg, Boynton Beach, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Outside Florida, the foundation also gave to organizations in Memphis, TN; Boone, NC; Taunton, MA; Washington, DC; and Sanford, FL. The recipient distribution is concentrated in Florida even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Dallas.
Its clearest focus is environmental conservation, especially Florida-related land, habitat, coastal, and estuarine protection. The recent record also includes grants for youth services, health organizations, disaster relief, and local community support, but conservation is the most consistent theme.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including The Nature Conservancy, Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches Inc, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Shriners’ Hospital for Children, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Inc.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers on relatively small awards: p25 is $4,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. Recent grants also include larger recurring gifts of $15,000, $25,000, and $30,000.
Florida is the top state by grant count. The recipient list includes many Florida cities, such as Maitland, Palmetto, Tampa, The Villages, West Palm Beach, Tavares, Leesburg, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
Recent non-conservation grantees include Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches Inc, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, and American Red Cross of Palm Beach County. These grants cover youth services, health, disaster relief, and community support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS INC | PALMETTO, FL | $60,000 | 2026 | EXCLUSIVELY FOR BLIND |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | PLEDGES FOR NAMING MEDICINE |
| FLORIDA SHERIFFS' YOUTH RANCHES | LIVE OAK, FL | $35,000 | 2026 | FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND & |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | MAITLAND, FL | $32,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE |
| HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC | TAUNTON, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| ALS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER | TAMPA, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FEDERATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | MAX FISHER RIVERA BEACH |
| FLORIDA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | STEM & CRIMINAL JUSTICE |
| VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY | THE VILLAGES, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR SUPPORT SERVICES |
| CORNERSTONE HOSPICE FOUNDATION INC | TAVARES, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGES |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | ORLANDO, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GIFT SPECIFIC TO THE ST |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY | TAVARES, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR SUMTER COUNTY |
| AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION | PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT RESCUE OPERATIONS |
| PALM BEACH COUNTY LITERACY COALITION | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMTER COUNTY | LAKE PANASOFFKEE, FL | $3,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| STEP UP FOR STUDENTS | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| MAKE-A-WISH FDN OF CENTRAL & NORTHERN FL | MAITLAND, FL | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| SHRINERS' HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | TAMPA, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| CANINE ASSISTED THERAPY INC | OAKLAND PARK, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| MARION PLAYERS INC | OCALA, FL | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| BAY STREET PLAYERS INC | EUSTIS, FL | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS - SIGPRO | THE VILLAGES, FL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS INC | PALMETTO, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | EXCLUSIVELY FOR BLIND |
| FLORIDA SHERIFFS' YOUTH RANCHES INC | LIVE OAK, FL | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND & |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | MAITLAND, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR 5 SPECIFIC |
| SHRINERS' HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | TAMPA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF IN |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FEDERATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC | TAUNTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| CORNERSTONE HOSPICE FOUNDATION INC | TAVARES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | MAX FISHER RIVERA BEACH |
| FLORIDA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | STEM & CRIMINAL JUSTICE |
| VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY INC | THE VILLAGES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR SUPPORT SERVICES |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | ORLANDO, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| PALM BEACH COUNTY LITERACY COALITION | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA | SANFORD, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE CENTRAL |
| AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION | PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESCUE OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION HOMEFRONT INC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| UNITED WAY OF LAKE & SUMTER COUNTIES | LEESBURG, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| ALS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER | TAMPA, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR SPIRIT CENTERS SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA | TAVARES, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SUMTER COUNTY |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | LUTZ, FL | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMTER COUNTY | LAKE PANASOFFKEE, FL | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| STEP UP FOR STUDENTS | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| MAKE-A-WISH FDN OF CENTRAL & NORTHERN FL | MAITLAND, FL | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| CANINE ASSISTED THERAPY INC | OAKLAND PARK, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
| BAY STREET PLAYERS INC | EUSTIS, FL | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL |
SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS INC
$60,000EXCLUSIVELY FOR BLIND
FLORIDA SHERIFFS' YOUTH RANCHES
$35,000FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND &
NATURE CONSERVANCY
$32,000SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE
HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
ALS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PALM BEACH
$10,000MAX FISHER RIVERA BEACH
VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
$10,000FOR SUPPORT SERVICES
CORNERSTONE HOSPICE FOUNDATION INC
$5,000SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGES
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY
$5,000SUPPORT FOR SUMTER COUNTY
AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION
$5,000SUPPORT RESCUE OPERATIONS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMTER COUNTY
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
STEP UP FOR STUDENTS
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
MARION PLAYERS INC
$500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
BAY STREET PLAYERS INC
$500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS - SIGPRO
$250UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS INC
$50,000EXCLUSIVELY FOR BLIND
FLORIDA SHERIFFS' YOUTH RANCHES INC
$35,000FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND &
NATURE CONSERVANCY
$30,000SUPPORT FOR 5 SPECIFIC
HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
CORNERSTONE HOSPICE FOUNDATION INC
$10,000SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PALM BEACH
$10,000MAX FISHER RIVERA BEACH
VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY INC
$10,000FOR SUPPORT SERVICES
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
$5,000SUPPORT FOR THE CENTRAL
AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION
$5,000SUPPORT RESCUE OPERATIONS
ALS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
$5,000SUPPORT FOR SUMTER COUNTY
THE SALVATION ARMY
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMTER COUNTY
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
STEP UP FOR STUDENTS
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
BAY STREET PLAYERS INC
$500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL