Kessler Foundation Grants for Disability Employment

Author: Kessler Foundation
Published: 25 Jan 2017 - Updated: 7 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This announcement details a major funding initiative from the Kessler Foundation that distributed nearly $2.5 million across multiple U.S. organizations to expand job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The information is authoritative because it comes directly from the foundation itself, providing specific dollar amounts, grant categories, and program details that organizations and job seekers can use to understand available resources. Since 2000, the foundation has distributed over $36 million, helping more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities gain employment skills and paid work. The grants include Signature Employment Grants ($200,000-$500,000 over two years) supporting innovative programs like virtual reality job interview training and autism employment initiatives, Community Employment Grants ($50,000-$200,000) for New Jersey residents, and Special Initiative Grants ($5,000-$20,000) for various disability support programs. This funding information proves valuable for nonprofit organizations seeking disability employment grants, job seekers with disabilities looking for training programs, and researchers tracking employment trends in the disability community.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Community Employment Grants total 225,000 across three New Jersey programs. Awards range from 50,000 to 200,000 over two years.
• 2 - Special Initiative Grants are by invitation only and total 144,000. They range from 5,000 to 20,000 for a one-year period.
• 3 - Signature Employment Grants exceed 1.8 million across five initiatives in four states. These awards range from 200,000 to 500,000 over two years.
• 4 - The University of Michigan program uses speech recognition software to simulate job interviews. It delivers personalized role-play with precise feedback and coaching.

Topic Definition

Kessler Foundation Grants

Kessler Foundation grants are funding awards given by the Kessler Foundation, a national nonprofit based in New Jersey, to organizations that create or expand job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The program is organized into three tiers: Signature Employment Grants for large-scale pilot and demonstration projects, Community Employment Grants for New Jersey residents pursuing work and entrepreneurship, and Special Initiative Grants that support smaller, targeted efforts by invitation. Since 2000, the foundation has distributed more than 36 million through these grants, helping over 3,000 individuals with disabilities build job skills and secure paid employment. The awards prioritize innovative, scalable ideas - such as virtual reality interview training and autism employment initiatives - rather than traditional approaches, with the broader aim of showing employers that workers with disabilities are a valuable and often untapped resource.

Overview

Kessler Foundation has awarded nearly 2.5 million in grants to organizations across the U.S. to support initiatives that create or expand job training and employment initiatives for people with disabilities. Since 2000, the Foundation's distribution of more than $36 million has led to improved job skills and paid employment for more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities.

"Our goal through these programs is to raise awareness that people with disabilities are often an untapped resource for employment opportunities, and have the ability to help grow a company's bottom line," said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. "Our National Employment and Disability Survey found that 69% of people with disabilities are striving to work. Some are actively job-hunting, and others are preparing by getting the training, education, and rehabilitation they need to succeed in the workplace. These grants help support them."

Signature Employment Grants

More than $1.8 million dollars in Signature Employment Grants - the Foundation's largest grants - have been distributed to five initiatives in four states. Signature Grants range from $200,000 to $500,000 over a two-year period. These awards support pilot initiatives, demonstration projects, or social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to increase employment among people with disabilities.

Here's a summary of the recently awarded Signature Employment Grants:

A Virtual Reality Job Interview Training program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor uses speech recognition software to simulate job interviews, allowing for highly personalized role-play and precise feedback and coaching.

The May Institute's new initiative, Meaningful Jobs, will identify, train, and support people with autism spectrum disorder for potential employment in the security industry.

Career Success, an initiative of the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, will improve employment outcomes for people with behavioral health issues through the unique, synergistic effect of integrating three evidence-based strategies into one Supported Employment program.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will launch Career Pathway Services, a program to develop a customized employment and peer support model to work toward reducing unemployment and reliance on public benefits for individuals with disabilities.

NYC: AT WORK will connect people with disabilities to meaningful, living-wage jobs by working with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities to build partnerships and expand coalitions.

"Our newly-released, year-end nTIDE (National Trends in Disability Employment) report shows the longest run of employment gains for Americans with disabilities since the Great Recession. Our grant programs are particularly important now, to help continue those positive employment trends," said Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president of grants and communications at Kessler Foundation. "We're looking for organizations with bold, scalable ideas to create new employment models for public and private institutions that will provide ways to overcome obstacles to employment for people with disabilities."

Community Employment and Special Initiative Grants

Community Employment Grants advance job training and employment opportunities for New Jersey residents with disabilities, while supporting entrepreneurship and social enterprise. The Foundation has distributed awards totaling $225,000 to three programs.

Initiatives include an innovative transition program to help connect students with work opportunities matched to their skills, strengths, and interests; a program to develop skills and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through boosting business and community-based provider engagement, job training, and placement; and a comprehensive graphic design training program that provides the opportunity for employment to people with autism spectrum disorder. Community Grants range from $50,000 to $200,000 over two years.

Special Initiative Grants support a variety of efforts in New Jersey to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The Foundation has distributed $144,000 to a dozen, wide-ranging programs. Initiatives include scholarships, disability programming, plus classroom and work site accommodations for two New Jersey students with disabilities; accounting software training for small business and financial professionals who have transitioned into the blind or print-disabled community; a statewide survey and focus groups to explore the participation in cultural events among people with various disabilities; and classes for children, veterans, and other adults with disabilities, including ballet, Tai Chi, fly fishing, and competitive adaptive sports.

Special Initiative Grant applications are by invitation only, and the awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a period of one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Who can apply for Kessler Foundation grants?

Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community groups that support disability employment can apply, though eligibility varies by grant type. Community Employment Grants focus on New Jersey residents, while Signature Employment Grants are open to organizations across the United States.

How do I apply for a Kessler Foundation Signature Employment Grant?

Applicants typically submit a letter of intent describing their proposed program, followed by a full proposal if invited to continue. Details and deadlines are published on the Kessler Foundation website when application cycles open.

Where is the Kessler Foundation located?

The Kessler Foundation is headquartered in West Orange, New Jersey. It operates nationally through its grantmaking and disability employment research programs.

What is the nTIDE report mentioned by the foundation?

The nTIDE, or National Trends in Disability Employment report, tracks monthly and annual employment data for Americans with disabilities. The foundation uses it to measure progress and guide its grant priorities.

Does the Kessler Foundation only fund employment programs?

Employment is the primary focus, but Special Initiative Grants also support education, accessibility, adaptive sports, and cultural participation for people with disabilities. These smaller awards address a wide range of community needs.

How much funding has the Kessler Foundation provided over time?

Since 2000, the foundation has distributed more than 36 million in grants. This funding has helped over 3,000 individuals with disabilities gain job skills and paid work.

What is the difference between the three Kessler grant types?

Signature Employment Grants fund large national pilot projects, Community Employment Grants serve New Jersey residents, and Special Initiative Grants support smaller targeted efforts by invitation. Each tier has its own funding range and duration.

How can job seekers with disabilities benefit from these grants?

Grant-funded programs provide training, interview practice, skill building, and placement services that connect people with disabilities to paid work. Job seekers can contact grantee organizations directly to learn about available programs.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The timing of these grants aligns with encouraging employment data showing the longest run of job gains for Americans with disabilities since the Great Recession, yet the foundation's own research reveals that 69% of people with disabilities still actively seek work or prepare for employment. What makes this funding particularly significant is its focus on scalable, innovative solutions rather than traditional approaches - from virtual reality interview simulators to partnerships with municipal offices - suggesting that the disability employment gap won't close through incremental changes alone. As more organizations experiment with these bold models, the real measure of success won't be how many grants get distributed, but whether these programs create sustainable pathways that fundamentally change how employers view and recruit workers with disabilities.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Kessler Foundation and published on 25 Jan 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.