May 22, 2025

Andover, MA

The NEEDS Center is pleased to announce it is a recipient of the Allison Keller Education Technology Grant in the amount of $7,500 from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. These funds will further help us provide technology within our vital services and programs.

The Allison Keller Education Technology Grant is awarded through an application process and historically supports traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Flutie Foundation's areas of impact.

This grant will benefit individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities served by The NEEDS Center. It supports our ongoing mission to provide education, training, and support to help people with autism live more independently.

Through this funding, The NEEDS Center will be able to offer enhanced technological tools and resources that strengthen the supports we provide and promote greater independence over time for the individuals we serve.

The Flutie Foundation emphasized the importance of this initiative and its broader mission to support the autism community:

"The Flutie Foundation's Allison Keller Education Technology Grant helps our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community," said Nick Savarese, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. "Programs like these help people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts."

ABOUT THE NEEDS CENTER
The NEEDS Center's mission is to provide education, training, and support to individuals with developmental disabilities to assist them to live as independently as possible. The NEEDS Center is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2012 by professionals with numerous years of experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities services and support. The leadership team of the NEEDS Center all have extensive histories of working with people with developmental disabilities and have specialized in working with people who present with challenging behavior.

ABOUT THE FLUTIE FOUNDATION
Former NFL Quarterback, Doug Flutie, and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for
Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Their experience of
raising a son with autism inspired them to help others on the challenging journey. Over its history, the Flutie
Foundation has distributed over $20 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies,
recreational programs, social skills training, and more for people with autism. The Flutie Foundation also
provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support
through its partnerships and special initiatives.

Click here for more information about Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.