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Siemer Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$15.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M
Decision Time
5mo

Siemer Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $15,862,851 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: ~5 months
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $25,000+ (recent examples)
  • Geographic Focus: Central Ohio (Franklin County)

Contact Details

Website: https://columbusfoundation.org/nonprofit-center/grant-opportunities/supporting-foundation-grants/siemer-family-foundation
Phone: 614-251-4000
Email: InfoSupporting@columbusfoundation.org
Online Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/3WYl9l
Pre-Application Support: Contact Supporting Foundations team at The Columbus Foundation

Overview

The Siemer Family Foundation was established in 1997 by Barbara and Al Siemer and operates as a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation. With over $65 million in total grants approved since inception and annual giving of approximately $15.9 million, the foundation has become a significant funder in central Ohio's education and family stability landscape. The foundation's grantmaking is deeply informed by Barbara Siemer's career as a high school English teacher and her extensive community volunteer work benefiting children. The Siemers, who own Desco Corporation (a holding company for manufacturing companies in the United States and Europe), have focused their philanthropy on education and reducing student mobility through homelessness prevention. The foundation has earned a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and made 92 grants in 2023, demonstrating significant capacity and commitment to central Ohio communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Program

  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $25,000+ (average ~$172,000)
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed annual deadline (July 1)
  • Decision Timeline: Approximately 5 months

Priority Areas

  1. Educational Opportunities for School-Age Children - Programs during and outside school hours, specific academic areas, overall achievement enhancement
  2. Early Childhood Preparation - School-readiness programs with special emphasis on parental involvement
  3. Education and Literacy - Community-wide education initiatives and literacy improvement
  4. Family Economic Stability - Housing stability, economic status improvement, physical well-being and safety programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Franklin County, Ohio
  • Programs not aligned with their four priority areas
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Barbara Siemer - Chairperson and co-founder. Former high school English teacher whose experience tutoring disadvantaged children in Cleveland shaped the foundation's focus on preventing educational disruption through housing stability. She describes their work as "crisis intervention" to prevent unforeseen circumstances from altering children's life trajectories.

Elizabeth M. Siemer, Esq. - President and Vice Chairperson. Daughter of Barbara and Al Siemer, Lehigh University graduate, and attorney in Columbus providing legal expertise to foundation operations.

Al Siemer - Co-founder and owner of Desco Corporation. His stated goal is "to stabilize a million children who will have a better chance at getting an education and success in life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Contact Supporting Foundations team for pre-application guidance (recommended)
  2. Attend Grant Opportunity Open House events (optional but valuable)
  3. Submit online application through https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/3WYl9l
  4. Applications accepted once annually

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: July 1
  • Review Period: July through November (~5 months)
  • Decision Notification: By November 30
  • Notification Method: Through grant portal and email/mail

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed, but foundation made:

  • 92 grants in 2023
  • 37 grants in 2022
  • 82 grants in 2021 The variation suggests quality-based rather than quota-based selection.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Contact Supporting Foundations team for guidance on reapplying after unsuccessful attempts.

Application Success Factors

  • Demonstrate Education-Stability Connection: Show understanding of how housing instability disrupts education. Barbara Siemer witnessed firsthand how switching schools harms students.
  • Include Family Engagement: Particularly for early childhood programs, clearly articulate parental involvement components.
  • Focus on Franklin County: Applications must serve this specific geographic area. Programs in specific neighborhoods (south Linden, Franklinton) have been successful.
  • Specify Age Groups and Educational Journey: Recent grants span preschool through adult education. Be clear about your target population.
  • Articulate Crisis Intervention Approach: Frame programs as preventing life-altering consequences from "unforeseen and uncontrollable" circumstances.
  • Address School Mobility: Programs preventing educational disruption from frequent moves align closely with foundation priorities.
  • Make Pre-Application Contact: The foundation explicitly encourages this to ensure program fit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Combine Housing and Education: Even primarily educational programs should address family stability; housing programs should emphasize educational outcomes
  • Use Personal Stories: Barbara Siemer's teaching background means human impact stories resonate—reference the real experiences of families in crisis
  • Don't Force Alignment: Foundation explicitly states only closely aligned applications will be considered—don't stretch to fit if your program doesn't genuinely match
  • Plan for 5-Month Timeline: July to November review period requires careful cash flow planning
  • Leverage Columbus Foundation Resources: Attend Open Houses and use pre-application support for valuable intelligence
  • Study Recent Grantees: Awards to I KNOW I CAN ($25,000), City Year ($15,000), Urban Concern ($15,000) show the foundation's interests
  • Significant Capacity Available: With $15.9 million annual giving and 92 grants in 2023, this foundation has substantial resources for aligned programs

References

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