Foundation for Community Driven Innovation Inc

FCDI enhances academic achievement, boosts economic development and inspires innovation through the development of programs and events that challenge participants and constituents to develop and hone workforce skills in traditional craft, manufacturing, science, engineering, and technology.

FCDI provides a charitable avenue of support in accordance with the meaning and intent of section 501(c)(3) for programs that inspire innovation, academic excellence in schools, and economic development in our communities. Donations and contributions are allocated directly to programs through direct payment of program expenses, or through direct award contributions to student teams associated with our Youth STEAM Team Funding program. The AMRoC Fab Lab and the ROBOTICON programs of FCDI helps educate and empower individuals through meaningful project-based learning, respectful coopertition, and workforce readiness program development.Our Equity in Entrepreneurship program aims to close the race and gender equity gap in early stage entrepreneurship support.

By working collaboratively with local governments, other community agencies and organizations, and community partners, FCDI leverages the expertise, passion and compassion of community leaders and the professional community to mentor and teach others, building community as well as human capital.

FCDI board members bring over 30 years of combined experience in nonprofit management and support to our programs with a well established history of transparency, open and clear communications, effective collaboration and strong community organizing. Board members and advisors have a visible and well documented legacy of achievement in the education, business, scientific and technical communities that inspires support an interest in areas ranging from engineering and workforce readiness to exciting competitive robotics event production.

Thanks to the collaborative support of program partners and donors, FCDI has established the AMRoC Fab Lab at the University Square Mall in Tampa FL, serving youth and adults in the underprivileged community as well as students of the nearby University of South Florida. The AMRoC Fab Lab will provide K-12 STEM education plus pre-apprenticeship certifications, expanding workforce skills development to more people.
ROBOTICON Tampa Bay has demonstrated significant growth over the last three years, with a robust social network and increasing community partner support in both academic and corporate communities.