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Kessler Foundation: Investing in Employment

Since 2005, Kessler Foundation – a public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities – has been NOD's most important funding partner, assisting us in dramatically changing our focus to employment through a series of innovative programs and research.

Kessler Foundation's support enabled the launch of NOD's National EmployAbility Partnership, including start-up funding for the Wounded Warrior Careers demonstration program and the early planning work for our newest employment program, Bridges to Business.

In the last five years, with Kessler Foundation's leadership support, NOD's employment programs have grown from 7% of our total programming to 95%; and our revenues have more than doubled. In true "venture philanthropy" fashion, Kessler Foundation found an organization with a promising idea and provided critically-needed support to bring that idea to fruition. The results are already showing in terms of new models of service delivery, important new employment practices by employers, and a diversified funding base to support a growing agenda of innovative employment practices.

Said Kessler Foundation Vice President of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives Elaine E. Katz, "Kessler Foundation is proud to have provided the seed funding that allowed NOD to focus its efforts on employment – an area of critical need for Americans with disabilities, including many returning veterans."

In 2010, Kessler and NOD joined together to commission two surveys by Harris Interactive that examined the participation and employment of Americans with disabilities. The surveys – which found that only 21% of Americans with disabilities are employed – highlighted the need for new approaches to disability employment.

To address this need, in Kessler Foundation provided grant funding to help NOD work with Lowe's to demonstrate the business advantages of recruiting and retaining career seekers with disabilities, through our newest pilot program, Bridges to Business.

"The importance of Kessler Foundation's contribution to the disability employment arena cannot be underestimated," says NOD President Carol Glazer. "I cannot begin to speak for the hundreds of veterans whom we are helping to get back on their feet, or the many employers with a newfound appreciation of the benefits of hiring talented employees with disabilities, all through Kessler's support."

Kessler's approach is twofold – supporting rehabilitation research through the Kessler Foundation Research Center and preparing individuals for the workplace through the Kessler Program Center. For more information, visit www.kesslerfoundation.org.