Finance provides the financial expertise that enables the Foundation to fund its research and employment initiatives. With the guidance of the Board of Trustees, Finance develops the investment strategy for the Foundation’s endowment to seek optimal returns consistent with prudent investments. Finance develops the annual budget, balancing income from research grants, investment income, and donations, with judicious disbursements in support of the Foundation’s mission.
In 2016, the budget supported the Foundation’s needs for growth in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, and provided funding for rehabilitation research and employment grants.
In 2016, $14 million was expended to support rehabilitation research activities for a cumulative investment of $170 million since 1998. To expand job opportunities for people with disabilities, $3 million in grants was awarded last year, bringing the total to $39 million since 1998.
KF Neglect Around the World - KF-NAP and KF-PAT
6 countries Internationally and 12 Facilities in 5 US states
modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT)
8 countries Internationally and 22 Facilities in 16 US states
Meeting Growing Needs
To accommodate needed expansion, $1.2 million was invested in new leased facilities in East Hanover, NJ, providing for meeting rooms, a larger conference center, staff growth and enhanced space for research. See Operations for the details of our new space.
Anne Ammons, CPA
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Promoting Advances in Research
Advances in research bring opportunities for Foundation scientists to develop tools that can be used to advance clinical care and rehabilitation across the globe. Examples are the KF-NAP (Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process) and KF-PAT (Kessler Foundation Prism Adaptation Treatment), which were developed by the stroke research team under the leadership of Dr. A.M. Barrett, and the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT), developed by Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti, for treating individuals with multiple sclerosis and brain injury. Translation of these tools into multiple languages has increased their availability for professionals.
These tools have the potential to generate revenue to reinvest in research. In 2016, Finance submitted applications for two patents developed by Dr. Gail Forrest: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation System and Method, and Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Combination with Neuromuscular Stimulation. Both advances are the result of Dr. Forrest’s extensive work with individuals with spinal cord injury.
Recruiting and Maintaining Staff
During 2016, Lauri Wactlar, Director of Human Resources, focused on finding new talent to fill job openings, ensuring that employee benefit plans met the needs of the staff, and providing professional support and guidance to the employee community. Employees took advantage of in-house seminars in personal finance, tuition reimbursement, nutrition, public speaking, and leadership training. Since 2010, the Foundation’s staff has grown by 60%, reflecting the substantial growth in our funded research.
Recognized for our exceptional employee management, the Foundation was again named one of the Best NonProfits to Work For by The NonProfit Times and Best Places to Work in NJ by NJBIZ. The Foundation also placed #5 among Best Workplaces for Recent College Graduates, a new listing sponsored by Fortune magazine.
