Kessler Foundation is an independent, New Jersey-based nonprofit public charity (501(c)(3)) dedicated to rehabilitation research for people with disabilities. Established in 1986, the organization has roots in the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, founded in 1949 by Dr. Henry H. Kessler. The foundation operates as a global leader in rehabilitation research, advancing recovery and independence for individuals affected by neurological and developmental conditions through groundbreaking scientific research and innovation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$289.6M
+2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$612K
-37.4% YoY
Grant Count
13
+62.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
-61.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve quality of life for people with disabilities through discovery, innovation, demonstration, application, and dissemination.
Vision: A world where people with disabilities can achieve the greatest possible independence, pursue integrated competitive employment, and live with dignity within communities.
The foundation focuses on rehabilitation research for individuals with:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Autism
- Other neurological and developmental conditions
Research is conducted across ten specialized centers:
- Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research
- Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research
- Employment and Disability Research
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
- Stroke Rehabilitation Research
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Outcomes and Assessment Research
- Autism Research
- Tim & Caroline Reynolds Center for Spinal Stimulation
- Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program alongside its research operations. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
** $6,000–$250,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding activity in:
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $289,601,125
- Total Revenues: $32,355,977
- Total Expenses: $35,996,524
- Total Giving: $685,946
- Number of Employees: 214
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $283,000,000
- Total Revenues: $33,500,000
- Total Expenses: $34,100,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $289,601,125 | $283,320,723 | $261,472,215 |
| Revenue | $32,355,977 | $33,534,975 | $15,971,386 |
| Expenses | $35,996,524 | $34,093,857 | $31,512,001 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,247,942 | $16,907,672 | $3,263,248 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Kessler Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Rodger DeRose — President and CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RODGER L DEROSE | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $815,846 |
| JOHN DELUCA | VICE PRESIDENT - RESEARCH | 40 | $462,229 |
| NANCY CHIARAVALLOTI | LAB DIRECTOR | 40 | $322,675 |
| GUANG YUE | LAB DIRECTOR | 40 | $281,364 |
| MICHELE PIGNATELLO | DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $268,313 |
| JOHN O'NEILL | LAB DIRECTOR | 40 | $267,963 |
| TREVOR DYSON-HUDSON | LAB DIRECTOR | 40 | $235,330 |
| ELAINE KATZ | GRANTS DIRECTOR | 40 | $228,965 |
| ANNE AMMONS | ADVISOR TO PRESEIDENT | 40 | $225,557 |
| MICHAEL A SAFFER | CHAIR - TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| C WILLIAM WEISSER | VICE CHAIR - TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| LISA PETERSON | SECRETARY - Trustee | 3 | — |
| MICHAEL P DAVIS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| M JOHN GERMAIN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ALYCE HALCHAK | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| GUY TUFO | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| DIANE ZEZZA | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MARY ROSE MIGLIAZZA | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| SAUL SIMON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| WILLIAM GILMAN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| DAVID MARGOLIS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ELLEN SALSBURG | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MICHAEL HERZ | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| THOMAS M VENINO JR | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| BRIAN CRAWFORD | TRUSTEE - AD HOC NON VOTING | 3 | — |
| GEORGE H JACOBS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| DAVID SCHONBRAUN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| LARRY GELBERG | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| TERRI GOLDBERG | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| NEIL GREENSTEIN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MIKE HAYDINGER | TRUSTEE - AD HOC NON VOTING | 3 | — |
| DARA SBLENDORIO | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| HELEN MAZARAKIS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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