Kessler Foundation Inc
Kessler Foundation Inc is a public charity based in East Hanover, New Jersey. Its work combines rehabilitation research with grantmaking to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Kessler Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Kessler Foundation Inc gave $612K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $47K), top state Illinois. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $611,791
- -37.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +62.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $47,061
- -61.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $28,000
- Total assets
- $289,601,125
- +2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (4 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kessler Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 120 Eagle Rock Ave Suite 100, East Hanover, NJ 07936
Phone: (973) 324-8364
Website: https://kesslerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Kessler Foundation Inc
Who Kessler Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Washington Center for Internships & Academic Semin ($100K). Together the top 10 received $576K.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 139 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in Illinois, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Vermont, and Maryland. Illinois received 33% of grant dollars, New Jersey 28%, the District of Columbia 18%, Vermont 16%, and Maryland 5%. Its Community Employment Grants focus on specified New Jersey counties, while the 2025 Signature Employment Grants target five states with low employment participation rates for people with disabilities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Kessler Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 13 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $80K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $612K (2024) to $1.8M (2021). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $612K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Center for Internships & Academic Semin Washington, DC | Special Initiatives | $100,000 |
| Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center Chicago, IL | Community Employment | $100,000 |
| Disability Lead Chicago, IL | Foundation Directed | $100,000 |
| State of Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilit Waterbury, VT | Work VT 2.0 State Wide Implementation | $100,000 |
| Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Count Margate, NJ | Community Employment | $50,000 |
| Rutgers University Foundation New Burnswick, NJ | Evaluation | $37,791 |
| Association of University Centers on Disabilities Silver Spring, MD | Foundation Directed | $28,000 |
| Adler Aphasia Center Maywood, NJ | Community Employment | $20,000 |
| Count Basie Theatre Inc Redbank, NJ | Community Employment | $20,000 |
| Habcore Inc Tinton Falls, NJ | Community Employment | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kessler Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $289,601,125 | $32,355,977 | $35,996,524 | $611,791 | 13 | $13,247,942 |
| 2023 | $283,320,723 | $33,534,975 | $34,093,857 | $977,409 | 8 | $16,907,672 |
| 2022 | $261,472,215 | $15,971,386 | $31,512,001 | $1,037,649 | 20 | $3,263,248 |
| 2021 | $315,632,583 | $38,357,245 | $29,826,730 | $1,808,051 | 50 | $16,145,832 |
| 2020 | $291,990,616 | $15,687,139 | $26,822,626 | $1,168,810 | 48 | $3,875,165 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation states that its two primary missions are to conduct medical rehabilitation research focused on functional gains for people with disabilities and to identify and fund programs that improve their employment opportunities. Its grantmaking includes Signature Employment and Community Employment programs, as well as invitation-only Special Initiative Grants, primarily for projects and organizations in New Jersey.
Employment grants support programs such as job placement, training and education, social enterprise, entrepreneurship, and other efforts to reduce barriers to work. The 2025 Signature Employment Grants seek innovative projects with broader impact on employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Community Employment Grants support organizations working on competitive, integrated employment, including through vocational training, workplace readiness, transportation solutions, and recruitment, hiring, placement, and retention strategies.
The 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. The Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center describes its work as providing services and support so people with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play in the community. Disability Lead says it develops a network of leaders with disabilities to increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region. In New Jersey, MarbleJam Kids describes providing creative arts therapies and supported enrichment programs for people with autism, while HABCORE describes providing permanent housing and individualized support to people including those with special needs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 13 grants totaling $611,791. Individual grants ranged from $6,000 to $100,000, with a median of $28,000. The largest listed awards included $100,000 each to the Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars for special initiatives; the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center for community employment; Disability Lead for a foundation-directed grant; and the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for statewide implementation of WorkVT 2.0.
Other 2024 awards included $50,000 to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties for community employment and $37,791 to Rutgers University Foundation for evaluation. Additional $20,000 community-employment grants went to Adler Aphasia Center, Count Basie Theatre, HABCORE, and MarbleJam Kids.
The 2025 Signature Employment Grants are for eligible tax-exempt organizations operating in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, or West Virginia. They may provide up to two years of funding, at up to $50,000 annually and $100,000 total; applicants may include up to 15% for indirect costs. Community Employment Grants are currently open to tax-exempt organizations serving specified New Jersey counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren. These grants are for one year and range from $25,000 to $40,000. The Foundation requires grantees to report on project progress and use of funds; larger grants require an outside evaluator.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rodger L. DeRose as President and CEO and Michael A. Saffer as Chair and Trustee. Other listed leaders include John DeLuca, Vice President–Research; Nancy Chiaravalloti, Guang Yue, John O’Neill, and Trevor Dyson-Hudson, Lab Directors; Michele Pignatello, Director of Development; Elaine Katz, Grants Director; and Anne Ammons, Advisor to the President.
Kessler Foundation Inc is led by Rodger L. Derose, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 33 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rodger L. Derose
President & CEO
President & CEO - Trustee → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$853K (2020) → $816K (2024)
Michael A. Saffer
Chair - Trustee
Vice Chair-Trustee → Chair - Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Katz
Grants Director
Grants Director → Senior Vice President Grants & Communications, 2023
Senior Vice President Grants & Communications → Grants Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$249K (2020) → $229K (2024)
Guang Yue
Lab Director
Lab Director → Center Director, 2021
Center Director → Lab Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$352K (2020) → $281K (2024)
John O'Neill
Lab Director
Lab Director → Center Director, 2021
Center Director → Lab Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$261K (2020) → $268K (2024)
Michele Pignatello
Director Development
Director of Development → Vice President & CDO, 2023
Vice President & CDO → Director Development, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$257K (2020) → $268K (2024)
Nancy Chiaravalloti
Lab Director
Lab Director → Center Director, 2021
Center Director → Lab Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$321K (2020) → $323K (2024)
Trevor Dyson-Hudson
Lab Director
Lab Director → Center Director, 2021
Center Director → Lab Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$250K (2020) → $235K (2024)
David Margolis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Schonbraun
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Zezza
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Salsburg
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. John Germain
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Rose Migliazza
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Herz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael P. Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saul Simon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Goldberg
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Guy Tufo
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Peterson
Secretary - Trustee
Trustee → Secretary - Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyce Halchak
Trustee
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Crawford
Trustee - Ad Hoc Non Voting
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dara Sblendorio
Trustee
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil Greenstein
Trustee
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Gilman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George H. Jacobs
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Mazarakis
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Gelberg
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Haydinger
Trustee - Ad Hoc Non Voting
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas M. Venino Jr.
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne E. Ammons
Advisor to Preseident
Advisor to President & CEO → Advisor to CEO, 2022
Advisor to CEO → Advisor to Preseident, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$415K (2020) → $226K (2024)
John Deluca
Vice President - Research
Vice President - Research → Senior Vice President - Research, 2023
Senior Vice President - Research → Vice President - Research, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$520K (2020) → $462K (2024)
C. William Weisser
Vice Chair - Trustee
Vice Chair-Trustee → Vice Chair - Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Bruce Schnelwar (2020–2023) — Secretary - Trustee
- Former: David Legow (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Deborah Mellen (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gail Forrest (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Josh Avidan (2022–2023) — Trustee -Ad Hoc Non Voting
- Former: Dean Janeway (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Janice Beauchamp (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Laurence S. Aronson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ellen Slasburg (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Alexander R. Giaquinto PhD (2020–2021) — Chair - Trustee
- Former: David Gibbons (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Anne McDonald (2020) — Secretary - Trustee
- Former: Sam Garruto CPA (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $816K, to Rodger L Derose (President and CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kessler Foundation Inc
How much does Kessler Foundation Inc give each year?
Kessler Foundation Inc gave $612K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $977K across 8 grants.
What is Kessler Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Kessler Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $28,000, and its average grant was $47,061, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kessler Foundation Inc that year got $80K on average.
Where does Kessler Foundation Inc give grants?
Kessler Foundation Inc's top state is Illinois, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New Jersey (28%) and District of Columbia (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Kessler Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Kessler Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Community Employment" (6 grants).
Who are Kessler Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Kessler Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Washington Center for Internships & Academic Semin ($100,000), Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center ($100,000) and Disability Lead ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kessler Foundation Inc?
Kessler Foundation Inc reported $289.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $32.4M.
What does Kessler Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation states that its two primary missions are to conduct medical rehabilitation research focused on functional gains for people with disabilities and to identify and fund programs that improve their employment opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kessler Foundation Inc?
Kessler Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check kesslerfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Kessler Foundation Inc's EIN?
Kessler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1562134. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kessler Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
Investors Foundation Inc
Summit, NJ
Investors Foundation Inc funds community organizations working in arts, education, health and human services, youth, and affordable housing, primarily in New Jersey, New York City’s five boroughs, and Long Island. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application, with deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Assets
$13.4M
Grants
135
Total Given
$986K
Columbia Bank Foundation
Fair Lawn, NJ
Columbia Bank Foundation funds affordable housing, community and economic development, financial literacy, health and human services, food security, environmental sustainability, and the arts, prioritizing communities in Columbia Bank’s footprint, especially in New Jersey. Its grants vary widely; the 2025 median was $2,500, while listed programs generally offer $1,000–$25,000. It accepts requests through its grant programs, with application schedules varying by program.
Assets
$42.6M
Grants
319
Total Given
$1.7M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Oceanfirst Foundation
Toms River, NJ
OceanFirst Foundation funds nonprofits working in health and wellness, housing, youth development and education, economic stability, quality of life, and higher education in communities served by OceanFirst Bank. In 2025 it awarded grants of $50 to $55,000, with a median of $2,200. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; prospective applicants are directed to contact the foundation to discuss fit before applying through its online portal.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
425
Total Given
$1.6M
TD Charitable Foundation
Portland, ME
TD Charitable Foundation funds education, human services, housing and eviction prevention, nonprofit training, and community initiatives, with emphasis on inclusion and underserved and low-to-moderate-income communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $300 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000; its filing lists a typical award range of $135–$475,000. It focuses primarily on Florida, New Jersey, and New York, and its 2023 filing says applications are available online; applicants must be eligible 501(c)(3) public charities in states with a TD Bank branch.
Assets
$9.1M
Grants
1,003
Total Given
$24.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Jersey
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kessler Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kessler-foundation-inc-morg_3aa25be477b84332b1a23d3867db987a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311562134_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kessler Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kessler-foundation-inc-morg_3aa25be477b84332b1a23d3867db987a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Kessler Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Kessler Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?