Our Process

A Two-Generation (2GEN) Approach to Housing Stability

The Siemer Institute funds a network of collaborative partners designed to support families at risk of unplanned moves or eviction. These initiatives offer comprehensive services to stabilize families in their homes, prioritizing the well-being of all children, while also addressing the needs of their parents or caregivers.

Our Vision Communities We Serve

The Need

We understand that children facing frequent unplanned moves can encounter difficulties in both academics and social connections. Our programs are customized and locally managed to ensure they are responsive to the immediate needs of the community. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to preventing homelessness and eviction isn’t universally effective, our partners have the flexibility to identify and implement the most suitable solutions for their specific communities, all while operating within a nationally managed collective impact model.

  • Our Approach

    A Two-Generation (2GEN) Approach to Family Stability:

    The Siemer Institute funds a network of collaborative partners dedicated to supporting families at risk of unplanned moves or eviction and identifying community-appropriate solutions to housing insecurity. Within a nationally coordinated model, our partners prioritize stabilizing families, addressing the needs of both children and parents (or caregivers) simultaneously.

  • Providing Resources for Our Partners

    As the backbone organization, the Siemer Institute conducts research to inform and enhance the work of our partners. We serve as a hub of information, and we create ongoing opportunities for our partners to learn from one another.

    Our Programs

Meeting the Need

Building partnerships across the country, the Siemer Institute collaborates with community-based funding partners by providing challenge grants to implement community-appropriate solutions within the Siemer Institute Family Stability framework. Multi-year grants empower partners to build lasting, effective programs.

Our Vision: Thriving Children, Strengthened Families, and Connected Communities

We strive for lasting change for our families. We want our families to gain the skills and resources they need to gain permanent stability. We encourage our partners to develop programs that extend beyond crisis interventions to empower families on the long road to self-sufficiency.

Siemer Institute provides funding to partners who support programs that create housing stability for families with children in the home who are at risk of homelessness or eviction.

  • 160,000
    Approximately 160,000 families have been served by the Siemer Institute since 2003.
  • 400,000
    Along with our partners, we’ve served approximately 400,000 children since 2003, helping to ensure school stability for children across the nation.

How We Support

  • Challenge Grants

    Challenge Grants are matched with donations to incentivize philanthropic support. The Siemer Institute awarded $14,665,000 in challenge grants to 79 funded partners.

  • Advocacy Grants

    Advocacy Grants fund efforts to address systemic issues. The Siemer Institute awarded $350,000 to 7 funded partners, who used this as a catalyst to access over $18.7 million additional local and government funds!

  • Expansion Grants

    Expansion Grants help organizations build infrastructure and scale up.

    The Siemer Institute provided $200,000 in expansion grants for 2 funded partners.

  • circular graphic icon of people listening to a lecture
    Summit

    Provide opportunities to strengthen relationships, further education, and share best practices.

  • circular blue graphic with a book and light bulb icon
    Learning Series

    The Network Learning Series connects external experts and network partners to share insights, strengthen practice, and advance family stability nationwide.

  • Annual CEO Meeting

    Hear Barbara Siemer’s thoughts on the future of our combined work.

  • Evidence-Based Learning

    Measure progress of each family and provides insights for programmatic improvements.

A Message from Our President

Dear Friends,

As we share the 2025 Impact Report, I’m reflecting on the steady, thoughtful work that carried families through another complex year. Across communities, partners and providers met families where they were, walked with them as they regained stability, and helped children stay connected to school, home, and opportunity—the foundation needed for families to move forward.

Because of your partnership, families across the country are finding greater stability in their homes, communities and in their lives. Through community-driven, responsive approaches, we are meeting families where they are and supporting their path forward. Behind every outcome is a family working toward a safe and secure future—and a network standing beside them in partnership and care.

I remain deeply grateful to you, the people who bring this mission to life each day. The trust placed in the Siemer Institute, and in this shared work, continues to guide our path as we move forward together.

View the 2025 Impact Report

With appreciation,

Kim

Kimberly Habash Dorniden
President & National Executive Director

 

“We truly are better together"

Learn More

Now that you know what we do, find out more about who we are by reading about our mission and history.

About the Institute
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