OVERVIEW: The Kessler Foundation funds assisting people with disabilities in New Jersey and beyond.
FUNDING AREAS: Quality of life for people with disabilities, employment for people with disabilities
IP TAKE: Since this funder does not support purely research-based projects and favors New Jersey, this is a good grantmaker to know for local social service groups.
PROFILE: Dr. Henry H. Kessler is the name behind the Kessler Foundation, and Dr. Kessler was an orthopedist who established the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in 1947. The purpose of this medical center was to serve people with physical disabilities and help them achieve independence. The foundation “strives to improve the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain and spinal cord injury, and other chronic neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions.” Grantmaking centers on helping people with disabilities live full and productive lives.
The foundation prioritizes helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment. Accordingly, the funder has invested millions of dollars in job training, employment initiatives, and community programs for people with disabilities. Signature employment grants support pilot initiatives and new ventures that solve the issues of unemployment and underemployment of people with disabilities. Community employment grants are awarded to groups that increase employment and career outcomes for people with disabilities who live in New Jersey. Special initiative grants are also focused on New Jersey and go towards a wide variety of programs and services for people with disabilities, including arts, social services, recreation, transportation, health, and acquiring assistive devices.
Signature grants range between $100,000 and $250,000, with a maximum of $500,000. Community employment grants range between $25,000 and $50,000. Special initiative grants range between $5,000 and $20,000. The foundation typically awards approximately $2.5 million in grants each year. Review past grant listings by year on the funder’s website. The foundation has offices in East Hanover, New Jersey and West Orange, New Jersey. The foundation's grantmaking prioritizes New Jersey, and on occasion, makes grants to organizations serving other states. Community employment and special initiative grants are awarded to groups that only serve New Jersey. The foundation requires a 15 percent match of the total grant request amount for its signature grants.
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests from nonprofits, public and private schools, public institutions in the U.S. The application process starts with an eligibility quiz, followed by application instructions and budget templates. Grantseekers can contact the staff with general questions at info@kesslerfoundation.org or by phone at 973-324-8362 or 973-324-3571. Direct grant-related questions to KFgrantprogram@KesslerFoundation.org.
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