Heiser Foundation Inc.

## Approach Strategy for Heiser Foundation Inc.

The Heiser Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2000 by CSM Gary and Frances Heiser to memorialize their son, Master Sergeant Michael G. Heiser, and the 18 other airmen killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. The foundation operates with a deeply personal mission rooted in military family tragedy.

Key Strategic Considerations:

1. Mission Alignment is Critical: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving military-connected children and families, particularly those who have lost a parent. Any approach must demonstrate a direct connection to military families, children affected by loss, or terrorism awareness.

2. Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: With no public application form or documented process, the foundation appears to identify and select grantees directly through board relationships and community connections. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed without a warm introduction.

3. Board Composition Matters: The six-member board (Gary Sherwood, Linda Keith, Steve Barnier, Tom Heiser, Sandra McDermott, Gavin Sherwood) was selected for being "successful in their careers and civic minded" with personal experience of tragedy. Approaches should acknowledge the foundation's memorial origins respectfully.

4. Small Foundation, Meaningful Impact: With ~$5.3M in assets and variable annual giving ($342K in 2022), the foundation makes a modest number of grants each year but can provide significant individual awards (up to $40,000 documented).

5. Geographic Connection: Based in St. Augustine, FL with roots in Palm Coast, the foundation has Florida ties but has funded nationally (e.g., Service Dogs of Virginia).

## Funding Patterns

The Heiser Foundation demonstrates several notable funding patterns based on its IRS filings and publicly documented grants:

Financial Trajectory: - Total assets grew substantially from ~$766,703 (2018) to $5,306,748 (2022), likely due to estate distributions following founder Frances Heiser's death in 2018 - Annual charitable disbursements are highly variable: $1,240 (2013), $411,725 (2021), $342,704 (2022) - Revenue in 2022 was $1,898,690, with $54,928 from dividends and $1,843,762 from other income sources - Operating expenses are lean — charitable disbursements represent 91.7% of total expenses ($373,902 in 2022)

Grant Characteristics: - Documented grant sizes range from small individual scholarships to $40,000 organizational grants - The $40,000 grant to Service Dogs of Virginia (2020) for PTSD program expansion represents the largest publicly documented single award - The foundation supports both direct scholarships to individuals and organizational grants - All board members serve without compensation, maximizing funds available for grantmaking

Disbursement Timing: - No fixed funding cycle or annual deadline is publicly documented - The foundation appears to make grants on a rolling basis as opportunities align with the mission - Year-to-year giving fluctuates significantly, suggesting grants are made when compelling opportunities arise rather than on a fixed schedule

## Peer Comparison

The Heiser Foundation operates in the niche of military family support foundations. Here is how it compares to peer organizations:

Key Distinctions: - The Heiser Foundation is significantly smaller than major military family foundations but offers more flexibility in grant size and recipient type - Unlike Fisher House and Folds of Honor, the Heiser Foundation does not have a standardized public application — making it more selective but harder to access - The foundation's unique connection to the Khobar Towers bombing gives it a distinctive identity and emotional resonance that larger foundations lack - Its support of organizations (not just individuals) and diverse programming (service dogs, community orgs) differentiates it from scholarship-only peers

## Application Tips

1. Understand the Personal Mission: The Heiser Foundation was born from profound personal loss — the death of MSgt. Michael G. Heiser in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing. Any approach should demonstrate genuine understanding of and respect for this legacy. Do not treat this as a generic military charity.

2. No Public Application — Build Relationships First: The foundation has no published application form, deadline, or formal process. This is a relationship-driven private foundation. To be considered: - Connect through board members professional and civic networks in Florida - Attend military family support events where board members may be present - Seek introductions through other military-connected nonprofits

3. Demonstrate Direct Impact on Military Children: The foundation's stated priority is children with military connection, particularly those who have lost a parent. Programs should show measurable outcomes for this specific population.

4. Organizational Grants Are Possible: While the foundation awards individual scholarships, it also makes significant organizational grants (e.g., $40,000 to Service Dogs of Virginia). Organizations serving military families can position themselves as partners rather than just grant recipients.

5. Propose Manageable, Specific Projects: With ~$343K in annual disbursements and grants up to $40K, proposals should be appropriately sized. Request funding for a specific program component rather than general operating support.

6. Florida Connection May Help: While the foundation funds nationally, its roots in St. Augustine and Palm Coast, FL may give a geographic advantage to Florida-based organizations.

7. Patience and Timing: Annual giving varies dramatically ($1.2K to $411K), suggesting the foundation gives when the right opportunity arises. Do not expect a predictable timeline.