Filling the Gap, Inc., has announced its 2024 grants, awarding $86,405 for initiatives that benefit people with disabling conditions.

Filling the Gap is a Jamestown-based not-for-profit that works with The Resource Center and other organizations to support Chautauqua County residents who are poor, distressed and underprivileged, especially people with disabilities. Each year, Filling the Gap solicits grant requests from The Resource Center and other organizations within the Filling the Gap network.

Funding requests in 2024 totaled $148,738. Filling the Gap’s grants committee studied the requests and recommended which ones to fund, and FTG’s board of directors agreed with the committee’s recommendations. Some requests were denied because other funding sources are available.

With the amount awarded this year, Filling the Gap has given out $1,744,873 in grants since 1995. The 2024 awards were as follows:

• $12,500 to Community Inclusion, Inc., to buy a new electronic health record system for TRC Community Health Center.

• $11,750 to support workforce retention efforts at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap.

• $10,000 to TEAM Services for transportation vouchers.

• $10,000 to the Chautauqua Connections Children’s Coalition.

• $10,000 to The Resource Center to support training for supervisory staff.

• $5,000 to The Resource Center for Project SEARCH, a program operated by TRC and UPMC Chautauqua that provides employability training and workplace internships for people with disabilities.

• $5,000 to TRC to cover the cost of the Sprout Film Festival, which is a series of short movies about people with disabilities.

• $4,230 to TRC for physical therapy supplies.

• $4,000 to Community Inclusion to recruit dental providers.

• $3,250 to TRC for advocacy-related initiatives and to support the efforts of self-advocates.

• $3,000 to TRC to contract with Slow Roll Buffalo to conduct the Pedal Party inclusive cycling event in Dunkirk.

• $2,500 to TRC for staff appreciation.

• $1,700 to TRC to cover the costs of the graduation ceremony for the Invest U anti-poverty program, which TRC conducts in part¬nership with the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

• $1,500 to TRC for occupational therapy supplies.

• $750 to TRC for speech therapy supplies.

• $725 to TRC’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services for supplies.

• $500 to help cover the costs of the annual Kids & Sibs Summer Camp, a collaboration among TRC and several community partners that provides a fun camp experience for youths with special needs and their siblings.

Most of the money for the grants comes from fund-raising events that Filling the Gap facilitates in partnership with The Resource Center, such as TRC Golf Classic, Laurel Memorial Run/Walk and Step Up for Autism. Proceeds from these events are transferred to the various TRC endowment funds at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The income from these endowment funds is used to fulfill the grant requests.

For more information about Filling the Gap, phone 716-661-1519 or visit https://fillingthegap.net.