Empowering an evolving ecosystem of flourishing families

Families and relationships come in all shapes and sizes

But our society is not designed to support how people are structuring their families and relationships today.

Our laws, built environment, and cultural norms were established to support a monogamous nuclear family structure that does not reflect the needs of families and relationships today. Families that don’t center two married adults often face significant infrastructural, legal, and financial hurdles, as well as stigma and discrimination.

The Modern Family Institute seeks to bring about a world where families and relationships are defined by their function, not their form.

Our vision is to improve relational, mental, and physical wellbeing by ensuring everyone has access to resources and systems of care supporting their unique family and relationship structures. Our research drives systemic changes in legal, financial, housing, and social systems through supporting media representation, policy reform, and clinical practices that create robust ecosystem of care.

Led by psychologist and educator Dr. Heath Schechinger and political scientist and community organizer Dr. Lily Lamboy, the Institute acts as a bridge between scholars, practitioners, creatives, organizers, and policymakers, collaborating with a diverse range of groups such as the American Psychological Association, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Society & Economy, and This is Actually Happening.

We are seeking to raise $5M over the next three years to support and grow our work, and are actively looking for collaborators, advisers, research partners, and others who are passionate about creating a healthier ecosystem of care for all families. We hope you’ll join us!