2025-10-16T15:06:20-05:00 2024-12-31 WithumSmithBrown PC ONE TOWER CENTER BLVD 14TH FL EAST BRUNSWICK NJ 08816 990 2024-01-01 311562134 Kessler Foundation Inc % RODGER DEROSE KESS 9733248364 120 Eagle Rock Ave Suite 100 East Hanover NJ 07936 RODGER L DEROSE PRESIDENT AND CEO 9733248364 2025-11-17 true true Devin Desmond P01262203 7328281614 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z RODGER L DEROSE 120 Eagle Rock Ave Suite 100 East Hanover NJ 07936 78952004 false X WWW.KESSLERFOUNDATION.ORG X 1986 NJ THE FOUNDATION HAS TWO PRIMARY MISSIONS: TO CONDUCT WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND TO INDENIFY AND FUND PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. 22 21 214 10 0 16379996 18722935 222300 269750 16907672 13247942 25007 115350 33534975 32355977 982664 685946 0 0 20775855 22167650 0 0 1014421 12335338 13142928 34093857 35996524 -558882 -3640547 283320723 289601125 20332120 21425320 262988603 268175805 X THE FOUNDATION HAS TWO PRIMARY MISSIONS: (1) TO CONDUCT WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL REHABILITATION RESEARCH FOCUSED ON FUNCTIONAL GAINS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND (2) TO IDENTIFY AND FUND PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. false false 27065166 379371 RESEARCH CENTER: KESSLER FOUNDATION RESEARCHERS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES THROUGH REHABILITATION RESEARCH IN ITS TEN (10) SPECIALIZED CENTERS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF NOTED RESEARCH DIRECTORS: 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 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 with BioMatrix technology SOLELY DEVOTED TO REHABILITATION RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES. SINCE 1998, THE FOUNDATION HAS INVESTED $181 MILLION IN RESEARCH, IN ADDITION TO $166 MILLION FOR RESEARCH FUNDED BY FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE SOURCES. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED OVER $28 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 IN THE UNITED STATES 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 APPROVED A STRATEGIC AREA OF RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF TRANSCUTANEOUS AND EPIDURAL STIMULATION TO IMPROVE FUNCTION FOR PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES. IN 2024, THE Tim and Caroline Reynolds Center for Spinal Stimulation in partnership with Overlook Medical Center, completed its first epidural stimulation implant, marking a significant advancement in spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation. 1001732 685946 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 $58 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, EMERGENCY GRANTS 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. Since 2013, Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) Institute on Disability (IOD) have issued "National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) custom reports and complementary webinars covering employment data for Americans with and without disabilities. nTIDE reports are followed by government agencies, policymakers, disability organizations, employers, and reporters. The semi-monthly reports have been cited by top-tier outlets including Bloomberg.com, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and Fortune. 28066898 true true false false false false false false false true true true false false true true true false false false false false false false true false false true false true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 101 0 true 214 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 22 21 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA CO DC FL NJ NY PA X RODGER DEROSE 9733248364 120 EAGLE ROCK AVENUE SUITE 100 EAST HANOVER NJ 07936 RODGER L DEROSE PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.0 0.0 X X 815846 0 52600 JOHN DELUCA VICE PRESIDENT - RESEARCH 40.0 0.0 X 462229 0 52600 NANCY CHIARAVALLOTI LAB DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 322675 0 50803 GUANG YUE LAB DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 281364 0 47406 MICHELE PIGNATELLO DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT 40.0 0.0 X 268313 0 47032 JOHN O'NEILL LAB DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 267963 0 46511 TREVOR DYSON-HUDSON LAB DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 235330 0 44069 ELAINE KATZ GRANTS DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 228965 0 43660 ANNE AMMONS ADVISOR TO PRESEIDENT 40.0 0.0 X 225557 0 43045 MICHAEL A SAFFER CHAIR - TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 C WILLIAM WEISSER VICE CHAIR - TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 LISA PETERSON SECRETARY - Trustee 3.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL P DAVIS TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 M JOHN GERMAIN TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ALYCE HALCHAK TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GUY TUFO TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DIANE ZEZZA TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARY ROSE MIGLIAZZA TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SAUL SIMON TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM GILMAN TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID MARGOLIS TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ELLEN SALSBURG TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL HERZ TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 THOMAS M VENINO JR TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 BRIAN CRAWFORD TRUSTEE - AD HOC NON VOTING 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GEORGE H JACOBS TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID SCHONBRAUN TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LARRY GELBERG TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 TERRI GOLDBERG TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 NEIL GREENSTEIN TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MIKE HAYDINGER TRUSTEE - AD HOC NON VOTING 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DARA SBLENDORIO TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HELEN MAZARAKIS TRUSTEE 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 3108242 0 427726 46 false true false GIBBONS PC PO BOX 5177 NEW YORK NY 100875177 LEGAL SERVICE 472799 THE CORMAC GROUP 800 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 300 WASHINGTON DC 200062763 CONSULTING 138480 2 221543 10636687 7864705 85736 18722935 IMAGING REVENUE 541900 269750 269750 269750 6124102 6124102 0 5729 5729 0 0 0 53674590 0 46037417 513333 7637173 -513333 7123840 7123840 45277 221543 45277 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 OTHER INCOME 900099 109621 109621 109621 32355977 379371 13253671 X 685946 685946 0 0 0 2085523 1217077 868446 0 15064125 13053084 1562790 448251 1000618 832266 138152 30200 2901254 2393567 425590 82097 1116130 918031 167568 30531 0 495788 419581 76207 104742 104742 0 0 1436477 1436477 3740007 3628967 57201 53839 0 1163108 477515 531886 153707 847457 247427 525208 74822 0 1907437 1408652 498785 310129 246314 63618 197 0 243507 77469 125744 40294 9254 9254 0 1583591 1583591 471162 234304 236858 SUBJECT RESEARCH COSTS 622699 622699 RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EXPENSES 130570 20408 9679 100483 GRANT ALLOCATION 77000 77000 35996524 28066898 6915205 1014421 X 2089926 566095 4389584 5213017 6300334 5621670 295519 259918 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1010530 995630 23434847 14153245 9069353 9281602 212348063 219738249 39020488 38685807 0 0 0 0 8796926 9239137 283320723 289601125 3537259 4432822 1194605 827384 4336909 5204281 0 0 0 0 0 0 659240 0 0 0 10604107 10960833 20332120 21425320 X 252129116 256896473 10859487 11279332 262988603 268175805 283320723 289601125 -3640547 8827749 X false true X true true true X 11586874 21841703 12472836 16379996 18722935 81004344 0 0 11586874 21841703 12472836 16379996 18722935 81004344 11161423 69842921 1613534 2122605 1347748 2198074 6129831 13411792 0 1447 189542 8490 18231 109621 327331 94743467 1110903 0.73718 0.78736 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 3380984 7417 247286 4988 3630699 3071209 7347 399799 97371 3380984 3867425 7337 -709866 93687 3071209 3588140 2400 365565 88680 3867425 3151326 353284 -83530 3588140 0.00000 0.53450 0.46550 false false 8818209 2782150 6036059 14491638 11371095 3120543 125000 125000 9281602 RE AND PRIVATE EQUITIES 38685807 F 38685807 0 LEASE LIABILITY 10960833 10960833 X 40652753 8827749 905504 9733253 30919500 1436477 1436477 32355977 35465551 905504 905504 34560047 1436477 1436477 35996524 FORM 990, SCHEDULE D, PART X, LINE 2 The Foundation follows the accounting pronouncement dealing with uncertain tax positions. The Foundation had no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2024 and 2023. There were no tax related interest or penalties included in the financial statements presented. Form 990, SCHEDULE D, PART V, LINE 4 Organization's endowment funds are used to support research and employment grant making. STROLL N' ROLL 221543 176266 45277 45277 0 221543 176266 45277 45277 45277 true Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Count 607 N Jerome Avenue Margate NJ 084021527 222119902 501(c)(3) 50000 Community Employment Washington Center for Internships & Academic Semin 1005 3rd Street NE Washington DC 20002 521019820 501(c)(3) 100000 Special Initiatives LESTER AND ROSALIE ANIXTER CENTER 1945 W WILSON AVE CHICAGO IL 606405256 362244895 501(C)(3) 100000 COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY CENTERS ON DISABILITIES PO BOX 8787 SILVER SPRING MD 20907 237189098 501(C)(3) 28000 FOUNDATION DIRECTED DISABILITY LEAD 567 W LAKE ST CHICAGO IL 606611405 841895211 501(C)(3) 100000 FOUNDATION DIRECTED ADLER APHASIA CENTER 60 W HUNTER AVE MAYWOOD NJ 076071006 020687863 501(C)(3) 20000 COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT COUNT BASIE THEATRE INC 99 MANMOUTH ST REDBANK NJ 07701 221950890 501(C)(3) 20000 COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT HABCORE INC 788 SHREWSBURY AVE TINTON FALLS NJ 07724 521596165 501(C)(3) 20000 COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT MARBLEJAM KIDS INC 214 STATE ST STE 20 HACKENSACK NJ 07601 260689618 501(C)(3) 20000 COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 1030 15TH ST NW WASHINGTON DC 20005 521930174 501(C)(3) 10000 GENERAL SUPPORT NORTH JERSEY MASTERS-ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA PO BOX 56 RIDGEWOOD NJ 07451 222335554 501(C)(3) 6000 PROMOTION AND AWARENESS STATE OF VERMONT DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILIT HC SOUTH 280 WATERBURY VT 056712040 036000274 GOVT ENTITY 100000 WORK VT 2.0 STATE WIDE IMPLEMENTATION RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION 335 GEORGE STREET NEW BURNSWICK NJ 08901 237318742 501(C)(3) 37791 EVALUATION 13 0 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 THE ORGANIZATION REQUIRES PERIODIC REPORTS FROM GRANTEES ON PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING THE GOALS OF THE PROJECTS IT FUNDS AS WELL AS THE EXPENDITURES OF THE FUNDS. LARGER GRANTS REQUIRE AN OUTSIDE EVALUATOR TO ASSESS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROJECTS. X X X X X X false false false false false false false false false RODGER L DEROSE PRESIDENT AND CEO 815846 0 0 0 0 0 27600 0 25000 0 868446 0 0 0 JOHN DELUCA VICE PRESIDENT - RESEARCH 462229 0 0 0 0 0 27600 0 25000 0 514829 0 0 0 MICHELE PIGNATELLO DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT 268313 0 0 0 0 0 22032 0 25000 0 315345 0 0 0 NANCY CHIARAVALLOTI LAB DIRECTOR 322675 0 0 0 0 0 25803 0 25000 0 373478 0 0 0 GUANG YUE LAB DIRECTOR 281364 0 0 0 0 0 22406 0 25000 0 328770 0 0 0 ANNE AMMONS ADVISOR TO PRESEIDENT 225557 0 0 0 0 0 18045 0 25000 0 268602 0 0 0 ELAINE KATZ GRANTS DIRECTOR 228965 0 0 0 0 0 18660 0 25000 0 272625 0 0 0 TREVOR DYSON-HUDSON LAB DIRECTOR 235330 0 0 0 0 0 19069 0 25000 0 279399 0 0 0 JOHN O'NEILL LAB DIRECTOR 267963 0 0 0 0 0 21511 0 25000 0 314474 0 0 0 X 8 85736 FMV false true false Form 990, Schedule M, Part I, Line 9 Amount entered on line 9(b) represents the number of donors. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEFORE IT IS FILED. ALL TRUSTEES RECEIVE A COPY OF THE FORM 990. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C TO REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITOR AND ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, THE ORGANIZATION REQUIRES OFFICERS TRUSTEES, AND ALL EMPLOYEES TO ANNUALLY DISCLOSE INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS, ALONG WITH REQUIRING THEM TO ANNUALLY SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AMONG TRUSTEES ARE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND TRUSTEES RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM DISCUSSION RELATED TO MATTERS WHERE A CONFLICT MAY EXIST. EMPLOYEE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE REVIEWED AND MONITORED BY MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THESE CONFLICTS DO NOT POSE A HARDSHIP TO THE ORGANIZATION NOR GAIN TO THE EMPLOYEE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A & B CEO salary is determined by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. Other staff compensation is recommended by managers, approved by the CEO and reviewed in the aggregate by the Compensation Committee. The Foundation periodically engages an independent third party to conduct a review of comparability of compensation of the CEO and other key positions. The Compensation Committee annually reviews CEO performance and the CEO's employment contract. The Foundation periodically engages a major compensation consultant to conduct a study to determine reasonableness of salary, cash compensation and total compensation for all key positions, including managers, directors, and executive management. All salaries were deemed to be reasonable. The Company engages an independent third party on an annual basis to perform a review of the reasonableness of CEO compensation. The 2024 review deemed CEO compensation to be reasonable when compared with peer organizations. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS FORM 990 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:OTHER FEES TOTAL FEES:3740007