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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Grants

FAQs: Before Grant Application Submission

 

What types of projects are ineligible?

We do not fund lobbying activities, grants to individuals, scholarships, and/or projects unrelated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. We also do not fund any vehicle purchase such as cars, vans, trucks or buses.

Do you provide general operating grants?

No. We do not provide general operating grants.

How do you handle requests from universities or school districts?

The Foundation requires all university applicants to submit requests through their institution’s office of sponsored programs or foundation relations, if mandated by their affiliation. Funding requests from schools should be submitted through the school district.

How can I view the grant application?

Click the 'Apply Now' button on the Signature Grants or Community Grants webpage to create a user ID and password. You’ll then complete an eligibility quiz. If you pass, you’ll gain access to the application instructions and budget template. Note: There is a quiz required to pass for accessing the Signature Employment Grant concept application. You will have multiple opportunities to retake the quiz. The full proposal becomes available only after passing the eligibility quiz.

My organization did not pass the Foundation’s online Signature Employment Grant application eligibility quiz. What should we do?

If you do not pass the eligibility quiz, your project will not meet our grant guidelines and you will be unable to proceed with the online application. We have a small staff and are therefore unable to answer individual questions as to why your organization failed to pass the quiz. Please email any inquires to [email protected] and we will aim to respond within 24 hours.

Can I contact Kessler Foundation to discuss my project before applying for funding?

Yes. Please contact us via email at [email protected] only after reviewing the online application and reading through our website.

Does Kessler Foundation make multi-year grants?

Yes. We currently make multi-year grants only under our Signature Employment Grant Program.

How often can an organization apply for funding?

Organizations may submit only one application per calendar year. Organizations funded for three consecutive years in our Community Employment or Special Initiative grant programs cannot apply in the fourth year for funding. After a one-year break, organizations may reapply for funding.

Can we apply for funding through our fiscal sponsor?

Yes. The fiscal sponsor must be a tax-exempt entity according to the Internal Revenue Code and have a formal relationship with the organization working on the project. If a grant is awarded, the fiscal sponsor is responsible for exercising proper expenditure of funds as well as meeting any reporting requirements under the grant term.

Does Kessler Foundation make grants outside of the United States?

Kessler Foundation only makes grants within the United States or any of its territories.

Does Kessler Foundation make grants to individuals?

No. We do not make grants to individuals. Kessler Foundation only makes grants to organizations that are tax-exempt according to the Internal Revenue Code, including nonprofit organizations, public/private schools, and public institutions.

Does Kessler Foundation fund research projects?

No. We do not fund any purely research-based projects. However grant projects may include a research component.

What if my project fits into more than one of your programs’ guidelines?

If your project fits into more than one of our programs’ guidelines and you are unsure about which one to apply for, please contact us via email [email protected] to further discuss.

What amount of funding should I ask for?

The amount of funding requested should reflect the amount that is required to successfully complete the project. We recommend that you visit our grant listings by year page as a reference.

Does Kessler Foundation support indirect costs?

Yes. Kessler Foundation allows for indirect costs up to 15 percent for Signature Grants and 8 percent for Community Employment Grants. Indirect costs must be reflected in the project budget. Some examples of indirect costs include utilities, rent, postage and printing, telephone charges, and office supplies.

Our organization is interested in applying for Kessler Foundation’s Community Employment Grants. Our current operating budget is $800,000. Are we eligible?

No. Organizations must have an operating budget over $1,000,000 to apply.

Our organization’s operating budget is less than $2,000,000. Are we eligible to apply for the Foundation’s Signature Employment Grants?

Applicants must have an operating budget exceeding $2,000,000. However, your organization may be eligible to be a subcontractor under a different grant applicant.

My organization is interested in applying for a Special Initiative Grant and as per your grant guidelines, applications are by invitation only. Can we contact the Foundation to discuss our project and eligibility?

Yes. The Foundation accepts applications for Special Initiative Grants beginning in September of any calendar year. These grants are awarded annually, are only open to New Jersey organizations or organizations serving New Jersey citizens, and are very limited. Please send us a one-paragraph inquiry with a project description via email to [email protected]. Allow at least two weeks for a response to your inquiry.

Will Foundation staff members visit our organization or meet with us to discuss and learn more about our project?

We have a small staff so it is not always possible for us to meet with everyone who requests a meeting. However, we may be available for an online or phone conversation. We ask that you submit your inquiry via email at [email protected]. Please allow at least one week for a response to your inquiry. 

 


 

FAQs: After Grant Application Submission

What types of projects are ineligible?

We do not fund lobbying activities, grants to individuals, scholarships, and/or projects unrelated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. We also do not fund any vehicle purchase such as cars, vans, trucks or buses.

I created an online account and now I’m unable to log back in. What should I do?

If you have started an online application and are unable to log back in, try clearing the cache, cookies, and history from your browser and sign back in. Please note the correct link to sign back in is https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_972?SA=AM. If you continue to experience technical difficulties please contact us via email [email protected].

An online account was created by an employee who is no longer with my organization. How can I retrieve the password for the account?

Please send an email to [email protected] so that we may reset the password on the account.

Who reviews the grant proposals?

Proposals are screened and reviewed by Foundation staff members and our Grants Committee. All grant applications recommended for funding must receive final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Will Foundation staff members conduct site visits during the proposal review process?

After reviewing a proposal, we may schedule a site visit with your organization. However, due to our small staff, we cannot meet personally with every applicant. Candidates for Signature Employment Grants or Foundation Directed Grants may be invited to join a virtual meeting with our Grant Committee during the application process.

Can I contact the Foundation to learn why my request was declined?

Yes, you may contact our staff if you received a declination letter.

If our request was declined, when may we reapply?

Organizations that are not selected for funding are eligible to apply during the next grant cycle.

Can I apply for a new grant if our current grant term has not ended?

Please contact your program officer to further discuss.

Questions?

For additional questions, please email us at [email protected].


Center for Grantmaking | Signature Employment Grants |Special Initiative Grants | Community Grants