Filling the Gap, Inc., has announced its 2025 grants, awarding $106,300 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 Chautauqua Connections, Inc.; Community Inclusion, Inc.; New Vision Services; and TEAM Services.

2025 funding requests totaled $124,201. 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 $1,851,173 in grants since 1995. The 2025 awards were as follows:

• $23,700 to Community Inclusion to support its Primary Care, Dental and School-Based Health Center operations.

• $15,980 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.

• $8,000 to New Vision Services to support training and recruitment.

• $5,160 to TRC to buy defibrillators, first-aid kits, lockers, and bike racks for its behavioral health and care coordination programs

• $5,035 to TRC for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy equipment and supplies.

• $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.

• $4,000 to TRC to cover the cost of the Sprout Film Festival, which is a series of short movies about people with disabilities.

• $2,750 to support direct support professionals in obtaining their driver’s license.

• $2,000 to TRC for advocacy-related initiatives and to support the efforts of self-advocates.

• $1,375 to TRC’s employment services program.

• $1,300 to TRC to cover the costs of the graduation ceremony for the INVESTU anti-poverty program, which TRC conducts in part¬nership with the United Way of Chautauqua County.

• $1,000 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.

• $1,000 to TRC to fund recreational opportunities.

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 and Laurel Memorial Run/Walk. 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, call 716-661-1519 or visit fillingthegap.net.