Community Employment Grant Program

Posted by on February 27, 2011

Kessler Foundation Invites Applications for Programs to Assist Employment Opportunities for New Jersey Residents With Disabilities
Deadline: April 1, 2011

The Kessler Foundation’s Community Employment Grant Program focuses on increasing employment and career opportunities for individuals with mobility and/or physical disabilities in New Jersey.

The program is designed to support projects and programs working to increase employment opportunities and career advancement for individuals with mobility and/or cognitive impairments. Areas of interest include transition-to-work for youth and adults, employment-related transportation issues, vocational training and workplace preparation, and strategies to support recruitment, hiring, placement, and retention. Other related projects or programs may be considered and/or funded at the discretion of the foundation’s trustees.

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

Nonprofit organizations serving New Jersey residents are eligible to apply for funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public/private schools, and public institutions. Applications from organizations based outside of New Jersey will be considered so long as the proposed grant project is based in New Jersey and serves New Jersey residents. Organizations that have been awarded a Community Employment Grant for the past three consecutive years are not eligible to apply this year.

The grant program does not support grants to individuals; to underwrite fundraising events, endowment campaigns, scholarship funds, deficit reduction or loans; or to international organizations or causes.

Community Employment Grants are awarded for a period of one year. Funding ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 per grant. Organizations may apply for indirect cost expenses of up to 8 percent in their project budgets.

Visit the Kessler Foundation Web site for complete program guidelines and application.

http://www.kesslerfoundation.org/community_grants.php