EIN 31-1562134

Kessler Foundation

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
207
Year formed
1986
Most recent tax filings
2021-12-01
Description
Kessler Foundation is a public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and other chronic conditions.
Total revenues
$38,357,245
2021
Total expenses
$29,826,730
2021
Total assets
$315,632,583
2021
Num. employees
207
2021

Program areas at Kessler Foundation

RESEARCH CENTER: Kessler Foundation researchers improve the quality of life for people with physical and cognitive disabilities through rehabilitation research in its nine specialized Centers under the leadership of noted research directors. The Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research, Neuropsychology & Neuroscience, Disability Employment Research, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Stroke Rehabilitation Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Outcomes and Assessment Research, Center for Spinal Stimulations and Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center. While the staff of each center has expertise in particular areas, collaboration among Foundation researchers as well as with collaborators from around the US and the world, enhances progress toward finding ways to overcome the obstacles faced by people with disabilities caused by brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. The Foundation has the distinction of having the only 3T MRI scanner solely devoted to rehabilitation research in the United States. Since 1998, the Foundation has invested $141 million in research, in addition to $121 million for research funded by federal, state and private sources. In 2021, the Foundation received $25 million in new federal, state, and private grants and contracts. Two federal Model System grants establish Kessler Foundation as a center of excellence for both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) research. Model Systems are comprehensive networks that promote independent and collaborative research that will improve the national standard of care for individuals with these devastating injuries. Model Systems are funded by large, multi-year grants sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. Kessler Foundation is one of only six centers to have dual model systems: Northern New Jersey SCI System and Northern New Jersey TBI System. These model systems are collaborative efforts with Rutgers University-NJ Medical School and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. In 2018, the Board of Trustees pledged to invest $15 million in incremental funding to launch a new and promising areas of research in the field of transcutaneous and epidural stimulation to improve function for people with spinal cord injuries. In early 2020, the Foundation completed construction of the Tim & Caroline Reynolds Center, a 11,000 square foot science building to house staff, laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment at a cost of $6.5 million to expand the research facilities and infrastructure of the organization. In March 2020, with the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation following NJ mandate, CDC and NIH recommendations required employees to work from home and ceased human subject research. Employees were able to work on research, data analysis, write papers and grant proposals. After three months, following federal and state guidelines, the Foundation staff returned to work on a gradual basis and resumed human subject research.
PROGRAM CENTER: Kessler Foundation focuses on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities through its Signature Employment and Community Employment grantmaking programs which fund local and national programs aimed to increase the percentage of Americans with disabilities in the workforce. Special Initiative Grants, an invitation only program, are awarded to projects and organizations that operate within the broad spectrum of rehabilitation and physical disabilities primarily in New Jersey. Rates of unemployment and underemployment are unacceptably high among the millions of people with disabilities in the United States. By working full or part-time, with training and support, many people can find meaningful employment and reap the benefits of greater independence and self-esteem. Having a job enhances social interaction and acceptance in the community, which contribute to a better quality of life. Although individuals living with disabilities represent the largest minority group seeking employment in today's marketplace, they are often not considered an integral component of corporate diversity programs. Through our strategic focus on employment, Kessler Foundation has invested over $54 million since 1998 in organizations that work to create job opportunities for people with disabilities. Projects funded include placement, training and education, social enterprise, entrepreneurship, and institutional support. This funding has enabled people with disabilities to overcome the obstacles that often face them and meet the workforce needs of American business. Innovative grant making has introduced creative solutions to help eliminate barriers that prevent people with disabilities from working.

Grants made by Kessler Foundation

GranteeGrant descriptionAmount
University System of New HampshireFoundation Directed$398,941
SHRM FoundationFoundation Directed$100,000
Association of University Centers on DisabilitiesFoundation Directed$50,839
...and 43 more grants made totalling $1,714,051

Who funds Kessler Foundation

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
The Henry E Becker and Pauline S Becker Charitable FoundationGeneral$550,000
Derfner FoundationUnrestricted Use$250,000
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyResearch$187,632
...and 34 more grants received totalling $1,954,744
Federal funding details
Federal agencyProgram nameAmount
Department of Health and Human ServicesACL NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH$1,925,372
Department of Health and Human ServicesCHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH$1,373,793
Department of DefenseMILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT$718,495
...and 6 more federal grants / contracts

Personnel at Kessler Foundation

NameTitleCompensation
Rodger L. DeroseBoard Member$706,870
Michele PignatelloVice President and Chief Development Officer$235,114
Steven Kirshblum, MDChief Medical Officer
Sharon CrossVice President , Finance Operations and Administration
John DeLuca, PhDSenior Vice President, Research and Training Research and Training Director Center for Multiple Sclerosis Research Interim Director Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research$397,034
...and 12 more key personnel

Financials for Kessler Foundation

RevenuesFYE 12/2021
Total grants, contributions, etc.$21,841,703
Program services$176,150
Investment income and dividends$2,118,587
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$4,018
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$14,027,245
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$189,542
Total revenues$38,357,245

Form 990s for Kessler Foundation

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2020-122021-10-21990View PDF
2019-122021-02-19990View PDF
2018-122019-12-27990View PDF
2017-122019-03-15990View PDF
2016-122017-12-05990View PDF
...and 7 more Form 990s
Data update history
July 14, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 1 new personnel
July 14, 2023
Used new vendors
Identified 3 new vendors, including , , and
May 7, 2023
Received grants
Identified 1 new grant, including a grant for $104,000 from Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation
April 13, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 10 new personnel
September 7, 2022
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
Nonprofit Types
Grantmaking organizationsDisease research fundraisersClinicsHealth organizations
Issues
HealthHuman servicesDiseases and disorders
Characteristics
Conducts researchFundraising eventsOperates internationallyNational levelReceives government fundingEndowed supportTax deductible donations
General information
Address
120 Eagle Rock Ave Suite 100
East Hanover, NJ 07936
Metro area
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
County
Morris County, NJ
Website URL
kesslerfoundation.org/about-us 
Phone
(973) 324-8362
Facebook page
KesslerFoundation 
Twitter profile
@kesslerfdn 
IRS details
EIN
31-1562134
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1986
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
E50: Rehabilitative Medical Services
NAICS code, primary
813212: Health and Disease Research Fundraising Organizations
Parent/child status
Independent
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