
Center for Grantmaking
At Kessler Foundation, we focus grantmaking on expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We believe that every individual with a disability has the fundamental right to pursue competitive, integrated employment, and live with dignity and purpose as valued members of our communities.
Leadership
Leadership
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Senior Vice President

Employment Empowers and Inspires
For people with disabilities, accessing meaningful employment is not only a pathway to personal empowerment but also a critical factor in reducing systemic barriers and achieving social inclusion. The benefits of work extend beyond financial independence to include improved mental health, greater social interaction, and the ability to contribute talents and skills to the larger community.

Jobs Foster Purpose and Belonging
Employment is fundamental to independence, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. Beyond providing financial support, it offers a sense of purpose, self-worth, and belonging within the community. Workplace roles significantly shape personal identity and influence how individuals are viewed by others, often acting as a key pathway to social inclusion. Additionally, employment promotes equity by encouraging diverse perspectives and creating workplaces that mirror the diversity of the world around us.

Types of Projects We Fund
Through strategic grantmaking initiatives, the Foundation works to break down barriers and create meaningful opportunities that foster inclusion and independence. Our grant programs are designed to address critical needs in employment and quality of life for people with disabilities. By supporting innovative programs, we aim to promote equitable access to employment opportunities and encourage economic self-sufficiency. We are helping to build a future where individuals of all abilities can thrive and contribute fully to society.
Signature Employment GrantsSignature Employment Grants are awarded nationally to support pilot initiatives, demonstration projects, or social ventures that generate innovative solutions to reduce unemployment and underemployment among individuals with disabilities. Preference is given to interventions that address the intersection of race, class, gender, disability, and poverty, focusing on helping individuals secure employment or return to work after injury. For 2025, we invite proposals for employment projects operating in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and West Virginia, which have some of the lowest employment participation rates for people with disabilities. 2025 Grant Concept Deadline: February 21, 2025, 5:00 pm ET. |
Community Employment GrantsOur Community Employment Grants enable non-profit organizations to support and maintain employment services. Grant requests for proposals open February 17, 2025. |
Special Initiative GrantsFunding community integration through arts, sports, recreation, and other programs. Special Initiative Grants are awarded for New Jersey projects or programs run by organizations that operate within the broad spectrum of disabilities in the state. Applications are by invitation only. |
Foundation-Directed Grants (Unsolicited)Foundation-Directed Grants provide funding for programs targeting employment and other disability issues identified by the Foundation and collaborating agencies. The Foundation may contact selected organizations to apply for funding at any time during the year. While a proposal invitation does not guarantee funding, all invited proposals will receive careful review and evaluation. These grants are typically unsolicited. |
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQs for the Foundations grants program provide clear guidance on eligibility, application requirements, funding priorities, and key deadlines to support applicants throughout the process. |
Grant Listings by YearSince 2005, Kessler Foundation has invested close to $50 million in funding a variety of employment-related projects that have helped over 10,000 people with disabilities acquire jobs and training. |
Center for Employment and Disability ResearchThe Center seeks new ways to expand employment for individuals with disabilities, including veterans, through collaborative research with medical rehabilitation centers and vocational service. |