SIGNATURE EMPLOYMENT GRANT

2010 Grant Application Deadline

February 15, 2010 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_972?SA=SNA&FID=35004

Our Process

Application to the Signature Employment Grant Program is a 3-step grant process beginning with online concept submission. All applicants with accepted concepts are required to submit an online full grant proposal and interview with our grants committee. All grants recommended for funding are subsequently approved by our Board of Trustees.

Who Can Apply

Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt according to the Internal Revenue Code may apply for funding. This includes non-profit organizations, public/private schools and public institutions.
Any organization awarded Signature Employment Grant Funds during 2009 or that has open projects is not eligible to apply for this program.
Kessler Foundation will not fund projects that discriminate in hiring staff or providing services on basis of race, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or national origin.

Geographic Focus

Our primary target service area is New Jersey. Beginning in 2010, Kessler Foundation will award one signature grant to a project that benefits individuals living in New York or Pennsylvania.

What We Fund

Signature Employment Grants support new pilot initiatives or demonstration projects that result in increased employment opportunities for individuals with mobility and/or cognitive impairment primarily from neurological disorders. Projects must be collaborative, serve a large geographic area and include multiple funding partners and stakeholders. In addition, initiatives or projects must have the potential for growth (scalable) and replication. Preference will be given for interventions (but are not limited to) that overcome specific employment barriers related to long-term dependence on public assistance, advance competitive employment in a cost effective manner, launch a micro-enterprise, social or individual entrepreneurship project.

Amount

Organizations may apply for up to two years of funding. Yearly funding ranges from $100,000 - $250,000, with maximum project funding at $500,000.

Target Population

A priority is placed on programs serving individuals with mobility and/or cognitive impairment primarily from neurological disorders (at least 65%) such as, but not limited to, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida.

How To Apply

After determining whether your organization fits Kessler Foundation grant guidelines, we invite you to submit your concept for preliminary review via our online application system by February 15, 2010 at 5 p.m. The application can be assessed at:
https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_972?SA=SNA&FID=35004
Concept application information includes:

• Brief introduction of your organization, mission and history, budget
• Project description including statement of need, population, goals/objectives, collaborators, uniqueness, challenges
• Evaluation plan
• Grant amount and project duration
• Preliminary budget
• Proof of tax-exempt status, unless your organization has been a Kessler grantee

We only accept online submissions for concepts
For more information or questions, please email us at KFgrantprogram@KesslerFoundation.org