Keller family

Assistive Technology Grants

About the Allison Keller Education Technology Program

Realizing the gains that many people with autism have achieved using the iPad, the Allison Keller Education Technology Program was created in honor of Flutie Foundation Board Member Kevin Lane Keller’s daughter Allison. The goal of the program is to help fill the financial and technological gap for schools and organizations that assist individuals with autism. Since 2012, the Flutie Foundation has granted over $660,000 to 145 schools and organizations for programs specifically serving individuals with autism that have an established technology program in place or have expressed an interest in starting a program using the iPad or other technology tools.

Applications will be considered for any technology tools and/or training that improve learning outcomes or performance. Maximum request is $7,500.00. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Tablets & Accessories
  • Apps
  • Smartboards
  • Laptops
  • Technology Training
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educational activities & access to STEM studies

The Flutie Foundation is seeking innovative partners who are using technology to address real needs facing the autism community. One program per public school district is eligible to be awarded an Allison Keller Education Technology grant annually. Think outside the box!

Grant Timeline

  • Application opens: January 2024
  • Application deadline: February 2024
  • Announcement: April 2024

Priorities and Guidelines for 2023 will be updated soon.

Assistive Technology Grants gives young children the opportunity to us a TV with touch-screen capabilities as a learning tool

Geographic Focus

  • Massachusetts
  • Other New England States including:
    • Vermont
    • New Hampshire
    • Maine
    • Rhode Island 
    • Connecticut

Apply Here

To apply, each organization seeking funding will need to create a new account regardless of applying in previous grant cycles.

Organizations who have received a 2022 Autism Community Impact Grant Award during this cycle are not eligible to apply.

Assistive Technology Grants gives young children the opportunity to us a TV with touch-screen capabilities as a learning tool

Reporting

Grant recipients will be required to complete an interim report 6 months after being awarded the funding and a final report 12 months after receipt outlining progress, challenges and overall success. Report guidelines will be provided by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation along with the due dates for the reports. Failure to file a report may affect future consideration of grants from the Flutie Foundation.

Allison Keller

About Ali Keller

Allison Keller is 27 years old and a graduate of Hanover High School in Hanover, NH. Ali was diagnosed with autism at an early age when she exhibited a speech delay. Ali still faces many communication problems and generally uses 2-3 word sentences to express her wishes. She also has some sensory issues and has battled seizures when she reached her teenage years. Through it all, however, Ali has always been upbeat, patient, positive, and brave. She leads an active life, filled with volunteer service, horseback riding, snowshoeing, swimming, bowling and taking long walks. An active participant in Special Olympics, Ali also loves music and going to concerts and movies. A big breakthrough came when Ali was 12 and they learned that underneath the cloud of autism, there was a bright girl with a great sense of humor who was developing in many ways like a typical teenager. Since then, the iPad has made communication that much easier in addition to offering many other benefits.

My best me with the iPad is more near to me than me without the iPad.

Allison Keller I via her iPad speech application

Questions?

If you have questions regarding the Allison Keller Education Technology Program please contact Lisa Collins at lcollins@flutiefoundation.org.

Apply now!

Apply for an Allison Keller Education Technology Grant.