The Signature Employment Grants program, established by the Kessler Foundation, focuses on transforming employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Innovation is at the core of these grants, as the Foundation seeks new solutions or creative adaptations of existing models to improve employment participation for individuals with disabilities. The program encourages innovative interventions that have the potential for broad impact, specifically targeting state, national, or industry-wide changes.

For 2025, the Foundation is particularly interested in funding projects in states with historically low employment participation rates for people with disabilities. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and West Virginia. These areas have been identified as having transformative potential for employment interventions, where targeted projects can significantly improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and foster broader employment inclusion.

The Signature Employment Grants program is not just about supporting individual organizations, but about encouraging collaborative approaches that can be scaled and adopted in other regions or industries. Kessler Foundation emphasizes creativity, feasibility, and broad community impact in its evaluation process, ensuring that funded projects will have a lasting effect on employment systems for people with disabilities.

Eligible organizations may receive up to $50,000 per year for two years (maximum total funding of $100,000) to implement their projects. These grants are awarded to organizations that demonstrate innovation, the capacity for collaboration, and a clear plan for creating sustainable employment outcomes. In addition, up to 15% of the total budget may be allocated to indirect costs related to the project.

Applicants must submit an online concept proposal, which will be evaluated based on originality, creativity, and the feasibility of the project. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal, which will undergo a rigorous review process, including a final presentation to the Kessler Foundation’s Grants Committee. The concept proposal deadline is February 21, 2025.