Contributor Report: Fisher, John
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John Joseph Fisher is a prominent American businessman, principal owner of the Oakland Athletics (MLB) and the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), and a high-ranking executive at Pisces Inc., the family office for the founders of Gap Inc. 1.9 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), 1.11. Fisher has been identified as a significant political donor with a documented history of supporting Zionist organizations and Israeli causes through personal contributions and his family’s philanthropic entities.
1. Relationship to Zionist Advocacy and Israel
Fisher’s support for Zionist advocacy is documented through direct political contributions and his leadership in organizations that promote a “lifelong connection” to Israel among Jewish youth.
- AIPAC Contributions: Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that John Fisher, identified by his role at Pisces Inc., made direct financial contributions to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) PAC as recently as 2025 1.13 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
- Birthright Israel Foundation: Fisher is a documented donor to the Birthright Israel Foundation, an organization that funds 10-day immersive trips to Israel for young adults with the stated goal of “strengthening Jewish identity… and connections with Israel” 1.10 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), 1.14 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation). His family foundation, the Max & Marjorie Fisher Foundation (associated with his extended family’s philanthropic tradition), also provides general operating support for these trips 1.3, 1.15.
- Zionist Identity Programming: Fisher serves as a Special Advisor to the Doris & Donald Fisher Fund, which partners with the Koret Foundation to support Jewish and Israeli initiatives at major institutions like UC Berkeley Law 1.3 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), 1.5 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation). Through the Fisher Family Foundation, he supports Moishe House, a nonprofit that explicitly requires grant recipients to agree not to “deny Israel’s right to exist as a secure, democratic Jewish state” or support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement 1.22, 1.18 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
2. Philanthropic and Organizational Affiliations
Fisher’s pro-Israel advocacy is channeled through various San Francisco-based and national foundations where he holds leadership or advisory roles.
- Koret Foundation: Fisher and his family’s funds maintain a long-standing partnership with the Koret Foundation, a major funder of “vibrant Jewish life” and pro-Israel advocacy in the Bay Area 1.3 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), 1.11 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
- KIPP Foundation: Fisher is the Board Chair of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation. While primarily focused on education, he is frequently highlighted in Jewish philanthropic circles (e.g., eJewishPhilanthropy, Jewish Insider) as a key leader within the Jewish donor community 1.11, 1.22 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
- Pisces Inc.: As Executive Vice President (or Executive Vice Chairman) of Pisces Inc., Fisher manages the wealth used to fund these various Zionist-aligned philanthropic efforts 1.13 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation), 1.5 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
3. Political Donations and Lobbying
Beyond Israel-specific organizations, Fisher is a prolific donor to the Republican Party, contributing millions to candidates and PACs that align with hawkish foreign policy and pro-Israel stances.
- GOP and Pro-Israel Lobbying: In 2019, it was revealed that Fisher and his family donated nearly $9 million to a political action committee opposing Barack Obama in 2012, and he has continued to fund GOP leadership funds and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) 1.7, 1.8 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
- Anti-BDS Stance: Fisher is regularly included in lists of donors who fund efforts to “stand up to the BDS” movement in the United States 1.3 (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation).
Supported Candidates
| Candidate |
Years |
Direct Contributions |
Behested Payments |
| Anna Caballero |
2015-2023 |
$16,000 |
$0 |
| Tim Grayson |
2015-2023 |
$12,600 |
$0 |
| Henry Stern |
2015-2017 |
$9,600 |
$0 |
| Tony Strickland |
2014 |
$8,600 |
$0 |
| Robert Rivas |
2017-2023 |
$7,900 |
$0 |
| Heath Flora |
2021-2025 |
$5,500 |
$0 |
| Brian Jones |
2021-2023 |
$4,500 |
$0 |
| Thomas Lackey |
2015 |
$4,200 |
$0 |
| James Gallagher |
2023-2025 |
$4,000 |
$0 |
| Blanca Pacheco |
2023 |
$3,000 |
$0 |
| Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh |
2021-2023 |
$3,000 |
$0 |
| Megan Dahle |
2019 |
$2,500 |
$0 |
| Suzette Martinez Valladares |
2021-2025 |
$2,500 |
$0 |
| Jesse Gabriel |
2017 |
$2,000 |
$0 |
| Mike Gipson |
2021 |
$2,000 |
$0 |
| Cottie Petrie-Norris |
2025 |
$2,000 |
$0 |
| Josh Becker |
2021 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Juan Alanis |
2023 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Diane Papan |
2023 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Cecilia Aguiar-Curry |
2023 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Rebecca Bauer-Kahan |
2021 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Akilah Weber |
2021 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Mike McGuire |
2023 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Avelino Valencia |
2023 |
$1,500 |
$0 |
| Alexandra Macedo |
2025 |
$1,000 |
$0 |