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3-07-2026 12:05am
Plugged In Receives Autism Community Impact Grant from The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Needham-based Plugged In, an inclusive provider of non-competitive music education in the Metrowest, has been awarded $7500 in grant funding from The Doug Flute Jr. Foundation for Autism, the organization announced this week.
The grant will be used for scholarships to assist students with tuition and support inclusion efforts in Plugged In’s summer programming.
“We’re thrilled and honored to have been selected for this grant by the wonderful folks at the Flutie Foundation,” said Sandra Rizkallah, Plugged In Executive Director. “With their assistance we can continue to offer accessible music education for all of our Summer Camp students on the autism spectrum through both direct tuition assistance, and 1:1 support from our inclusion coordinator,” she said.
“Programs like these help people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts,” said Nick Savarese, executive director of The Doug Flutie Foundation.
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism was started by former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, in 1988 after their son, Dougie was diagnosed with autism at age three. The foundation has distributed over $20 million to schools and organizations that provide therapy, recreational programs, social skills training, and other services for people with autism. It provides adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, education technology tools and direct family support through partnerships and special initiatives.
