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Kessler Foundation Named One of the Best U.S. Nonprofits and Best Places to Work in N.J.

WEST ORANGE, N.J.—For the second consecutive year, Kessler Foundation (KesslerFoundation.org) has been recognized as one of the Best U.S. Nonprofit Organizations to Work for by The NonProfit Times, as well as one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey by NJBIZ in the medium category (15-249 employees).

“Kessler Foundation is proud to be recognized as one of the best nonprofits and best places to work for in the nation and in New Jersey,” said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “This achievement is a result of the enthusiasm shown by all of our employees and trustees to our mission of changing the lives of the nearly 56 million Americans with disabilities. We value every member of our team and are committed to giving our employees the resources they need to do their great work while also showing our appreciation.” 

With two locations in West Orange, N.J., Kessler Foundation is a major nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Through rehabilitation research, researchers discover new strategies to improve the thinking, learning and memory as well as mobility in individuals with stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions. Kessler Foundation has distributed nearly $30 million to non-profits and social enterprises that create or expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2013, the Foundation awarded $2.7 million in grants to organizations across the U.S. to launch initiatives that will result in the hiring of large numbers of job seekers with disabilities. 

For the nonprofit recognition, each organization provided information on employment practices and the benefits available for employees. Employees also took a survey to evaluate their nonprofit’s leadership and planning, corporate culture and communications, work environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits and employee engagement and satisfaction. Kessler Foundation is ranked 23rd in the top 50 nonprofits to work for in the U.S.; all awardees are profiled in the April 1, 2014 issue of The NonProfit Times.

This is the third year in a row that Kessler Foundation received the NJBIZ award, which honors the top places of employment in N.J. that benefit the state's economy, and its workforce and businesses while demonstrating dedication to their employees’ growth and quality of life. Companies across N.J. entered the two-part process to determine the 100 Best Places to Work in New Jersey—an evaluation of each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics and an employee survey to measure the employee experience. Awardees will receive their rankings during an awards dinner and ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. The recognized employers will be profiled in a special supplemental edition of NJBIZ on May 5, 2014. 

For both awards, the Best Companies Group managed the registration, administered the survey, analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. 

About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.

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Contacts:
Lauren Scrivo, 973.324.8384, 973.768.6583 - c, [email protected]
Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, [email protected]