Kessler Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $982,664 (2023)
• Total Invested Since 2005: Over $50 million
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000
• Geographic Focus: National (final 2025 cycle: AL, AR, KY, MS, WV)
• Status: Phasing out external grantmaking by 2026

Contact Details

• Website: kesslerfoundation.org
• Location: East Hanover, NJ
• EIN: 31-1562134

Overview

Kessler Foundation was established in 1985 and has been a leading national funder dedicated to improving employment and quality of life outcomes for people with disabilities. Since 2005, the Foundation has invested more than $50 million in innovative initiatives that have opened doors to meaningful work for people with disabilities nationwide, helping over 10,000 individuals acquire jobs and training. Beyond grantmaking, Kessler Foundation operates a renowned rehabilitation research enterprise with award-winning scientists developing interventions for people with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism, and other neurological and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is beginning a strategic transition to phase out external grantmaking by 2026 to focus resources on sustaining and expanding their research enterprise, in response to significant reductions in federal funding from the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Signature Employment Grants (Final Cycle)

• Amount: Up to $50,000 annually for up to 2 years (maximum $100,000 total)
• Geographic Focus: Organisations operating in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and West Virginia only
• Purpose: Groundbreaking employment projects for people with disabilities in states with the lowest employment participation rates
• Application Method: Two-stage process - concept papers typically due in February; selected applicants invited to submit full proposals
• Indirect Costs: Up to 15% allowed in budget
• Status: This is the final grant cycle; the Foundation will sunset grantmaking by December 31, 2026

Historical Programmes (No Longer Accepting Applications)

• Community Employment Grants: $25,000 - $50,000 for one year (New Jersey organisations)
• Special Initiative Grants: Variable amounts for New Jersey programmes

Priority Areas

Kessler Foundation's grantmaking has been grounded in the belief that all people with disabilities have a right to pursue competitive, integrated employment and live with dignity within communities. Their funding priorities have included:

• Pilot initiatives and demonstration projects developing new employment models
• Social ventures addressing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities
• Work-readiness training programmes
• Career pathway services and customised employment models
• Projects addressing the intersection of race, class, gender, disability, and poverty within employment frameworks
• Programmes helping individuals re-enter the job market following injury

Preference given to: Interventions that address intersectionality—particularly race, class, gender, disability, and poverty—within the framework of helping individuals with disabilities obtain employment or re-enter the job market following injury.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions were not documented in available sources, the Foundation's clear focus is on employment outcomes for people with disabilities rather than other disability-related needs like healthcare, housing, or direct services unrelated to employment.

Governance and Leadership

Rodger L. DeRose - President & CEO Rodger L. DeRose leads one of the largest public charities in the U.S. focused on rehabilitation research and disability employment. Prior to joining Kessler, he spent two decades in senior marketing and general management roles at SC Johnson, followed by an executive role as partner and chief operating officer of the Technology Software Division at Arthur Andersen. After retiring from the corporate world in 2001, he led the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America as president and CEO. Under his leadership at Kessler Foundation since 2008, DeRose has overseen significant growth in the organisation's research and grantmaking activities.

Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP - Senior Vice President, Center for Grantmaking Elaine E. Katz oversees Kessler Foundation's comprehensive grantmaking programme and communications department. During her tenure, the Foundation has awarded more than $50 million in grant support for national and community-based employment programmes. For more than 25 years, Katz has worked with nonprofit organisations in the areas of board development, fundraising, marketing, and business development. She is recognised as a leader in the disability employment field and has been elected to the National APSE Board.

The Foundation also has a Board of Trustees that provides governance oversight.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply (Final Signature Employment Grant Cycle)

Eligibility: Tax-exempt organisations, including nonprofits, schools, universities, and government entities in the U.S. or its territories, operating programmes in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, or West Virginia.

Application Process:

1. Stage 1 - Concept Paper: Typically due in February
2. Stage 2 - Full Proposal: By invitation only for selected applicants after concept paper review

Important Note: The Foundation will complete all active grant obligations but will no longer accept or review new proposals after December 31, 2026. The final Signature Employment Grant cycle is the last opportunity for new applicants.

Decision Timeline

For research-related proposals (not employment grants), the Foundation historically allowed 2 to 3 months for the review and approval process. The actual length of time depends on several factors including the type of review required. For employment grant concepts, applicants can expect to be notified if selected for full proposal submission within several weeks to months following the concept paper deadline.

Success Rates

In 2023, Kessler Foundation awarded 8 grants totalling $982,664. Historically, the Foundation has funded innovative, pilot-stage projects that demonstrate potential for significant impact on employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Specific success rate percentages were not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Innovation and Model Development Elaine E. Katz noted that Signature Employment Grants focus on "developing or adapting ideas, processes, or services to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities." The Foundation seeks projects that generate new models to address the employment gap.

2. Addressing Intersectionality Preference is given to interventions addressing the intersection of race, class, gender, disability, and poverty. Successful applicants clearly articulate how their programmes serve populations experiencing multiple forms of marginalisation.

3. Evidence of Impact Projects that have helped people with disabilities acquire competitive, integrated employment demonstrate measurable outcomes. Historical grants have supported over 10,000 individuals in acquiring jobs and training.

4. Sector-Specific Approaches Funded projects include sector-specific training such as:

• Restaurant and food service work-readiness (National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - $500,000 total across 2022-2023)
• Hydroponic greenhouse agriculture (Arthur & Friends - $500,000 awarded 2008-2009)
• Customised employment and peer support models (Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission - $250,000 awarded 2017)

5. Sustainability and Scalability Projects demonstrating potential for replication or expansion beyond the grant period show stronger alignment with the Foundation's mission of advancing the field forward.

6. Geographic Priority Alignment For the final grant cycle, organisations must demonstrate deep connections to and operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, or West Virginia—states with the lowest employment participation rates for people with disabilities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Final opportunity: The final Signature Employment Grant cycle is the last chance to receive funding from Kessler Foundation before grantmaking sunsets in 2026
• Geographic restriction: Only organisations operating in AL, AR, KY, MS, or WV are eligible for the final cycle
• Innovation valued: Focus on developing new models, pilot initiatives, and demonstration projects rather than sustaining existing programmes
• Intersectionality matters: Clearly articulate how your programme addresses multiple dimensions of marginalisation beyond disability alone
• Two-stage process: Invest time in a compelling concept paper (typically due in February) as this determines whether you advance to full proposal
• Budget flexibility: Up to 15% indirect costs allowed, providing some administrative support
• Competitive, integrated employment: Demonstrate commitment to helping people with disabilities achieve competitive jobs in integrated settings, not sheltered workshops or segregated employment

References

• Kessler Foundation official website (kesslerfoundation.org)
• Kessler Foundation Center for Grantmaking page, available at kesslerfoundation.org/center-grantmaking
• Philanthropy News Digest, "Kessler Foundation invites applications for Signature Employment Grants," RFP announcement
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Kessler Foundation Inc (EIN 31-1562134), 2023 data
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation press release, "Kessler Foundation Awards $500K in Grants to Strengthen Restaurant Work-Readiness Training"
• Kessler Foundation Leadership page (kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/leadership)
• LinkedIn profile: Elaine E. Katz, Senior Vice President of Grants
• LinkedIn profile: Rodger DeRose, President & CEO
• Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Kessler Foundation profile
• Kessler Foundation FAQ page regarding grantmaking sunset
• Wikipedia, "Kessler Foundation"