This report examines the documentation and affiliations of William Sydney Fisher (commonly referred to as William Fisher or Bill Fisher), a prominent California-based political donor and heir to the Gap Inc. fortune. The report focuses on his documented financial support for Israel and his associations with organizations that participate in Zionist advocacy.
Contributor Report: William Fisher
Let us know if you spot an inaccuracy: trackjpac@gmail.com
1. Identity and Corporate Affiliation
William Sydney Fisher is the son of Donald and Doris Fisher, the founders of Gap Inc. He is a principal member of the Fisher family, which manages its extensive wealth through the family office Pisces, Inc. (also known as Pisces Fund).
- Gap Inc. Leadership: Fisher has served as a director on the Board of Gap Inc. since 2009. He previously held several executive roles, including President of the company’s International Division.
- Source: Gap Inc. Board of Directors - SEC Proxy Statement (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Pisces, Inc.: Fisher is the Executive Vice Chairman of Pisces, Inc., the private investment firm for the Fisher family.
- Source: Gap Inc. Proxy Statement via Q4cdn (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Manzanita Capital: He is the founder and CEO of Manzanita Capital, a London-based private equity firm.
- Source: Manzanita Capital Team Profile (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
2. Documented Relationship to Israel and Zionist Advocacy
William Fisher and the broader Fisher family are documented contributors to major Zionist institutions and projects in Israel.
- Birthright Israel: Fisher and the “Fisher Family” are identified as major financial stakeholders in the Birthright Israel Foundation, which funds 10-day trips for Jewish young adults to Israel with the goal of strengthening Zionist identity. The family foundation (Doris & Donald Fisher Fund) is documented as a donor to Birthright at the “stakeholder” level ($100,000+).
- Source: Birthright Israel Foundation Annual Reports/Donor Recognition (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Koret Foundation: Fisher is closely associated with the Koret Foundation, a San Francisco-based philanthropic organization that is one of the largest funders of pro-Israel causes in the United States. Koret has granted over $1 billion to causes including the Jewish Community Federation and various security and educational projects in Israel. William Fisher serves on institutional boards (such as the Exploratorium) alongside Jeffrey Farber, the CEO of the Koret Foundation.
- Source: Koret Foundation - Our Priorities (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Source: Exploratorium Board of Trustees List (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Jerusalem Foundation: The “Fisher Family Foundation Fund” is documented as a supporter of the Jerusalem Foundation, an organization that funds capital projects and cultural initiatives aimed at maintaining Jerusalem as a “vibrant” city under Israeli sovereignty.
- Source: Jerusalem Foundation Annual Report (Donor List) (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- AIPAC and Political Influence: Fisher has been documented in various campaign finance records as an individual donor to pro-Israel political candidates and is listed alongside figures who engage in high-level advocacy for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
3. Political Giving and Advocacy Groups
Fisher’s advocacy extends through significant financial contributions to political action committees and “dark money” groups that align with his family’s ideological interests.
- Americans for Job Security (AJS): It was revealed in 2019 that William Fisher, alongside his mother and brothers, donated nearly $9 million to Americans for Job Security, a conservative dark money group. The group spent heavily in the 2012 election to oppose the Obama administration.
- Source: OpenSecrets - Dark Money Illuminated Report (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- California Ballot Measures: Fisher is a consistent donor to Republican-leaning campaigns in California, including a $980,000 contribution to the “No on 30” campaign in 2022, which opposed tax increases on high-income earners.
4. Philanthropic Proximity to Zionist Organizations
The Fisher family’s philanthropic network creates a “closed loop” of support for Zionist institutions.
- KIPP and Education Reform: While primarily focused on US charter schools, the Fishers’ $100 million+ support for KIPP is frequently executed in partnership with the Koret Foundation, which explicitly ties its educational support to “Jewish community” and “Israel” continuity goals.
- Source: KIPP NorCal 20th Anniversary Supporters (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
Supported Candidates