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Florida Community Innovation Foundation

@floridainnovation.bsky.social
61 followers 46 following 62 posts

Empowering young innovators to build technology, do research, and work in partnership with communities. We do experiential learning grounded in community listening. floridainnovation.org

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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Later this month, FCI will be hosting the first in person ACT Congress in Orlando with Alliance of Civic Technologists. floridainnovation.org/2026/10/01/c...
Civic Technologists From Across the U.S. Gather in Orlando for the First In-Person ACT Congress, Oct. 16-18
Florida Community Innovation
Alliance of Civic Technologists
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2026): Civic technologists, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers from across the country will meet in Orlando Oct. 16-18 for ACT Congress 2026, the annual gathering of the Alliance of Civic Technologists (ACT). Florida Community Innovation (FCI), a Florida civic technology nonprofit, is hosting the event. It is the first time ACT Congress has met in person; the 2025 gathering was held online. Organizers expect 50 to 100 people in Orlando, with more joining online.
ACT’s 18 member organizations include BetaNYC, Chi Hack Night, Code for Boston, Code for Philly, SF Civic Tech, and FCI. 

"ACT exists so that local civic tech groups don't have to figure everything out alone," said Christopher Whitaker, executive director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists. "Meeting in person for the first time, and spending part of it working with Orlando nonprofits, is exactly what this network is for."

People who can’t travel can attend free online. Virtual attendees will have their own host, live streams of Saturday's main sessions, and online-only sessions on both days. The conference also comes as Florida civic organizations continue to navigate the state’s 2023 restroom law, HB 1521, which governs the use of restrooms and changing facilities in certain government buildings, schools, colleges and universities, and correctional facilities.

Executive Director and cofounder of FCI Caroline Nickerson said she personally plans to travel to Tallahassee during Florida's 2027 legislative session to advocate for repeal of the law, after multiple trans people told her they wouldn’t be attending the conference because of the discriminatory law. 
“We want ACT Congress to be a place where everyone feels welcome, including our trans and nonbinary attendees,” Nickerson said. “That’s important to me personally, and I plan to be in Tallahassee this spring to share that perspective with lawmakers.”

The Conduit, the private venue where ACT Congress will be hosted, has an all-gender restroom, and the event follows ACT’s code of conduct, which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

For more details, please see the full press release and event details on FCI’s website.
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Nicole Dan @nicolekdan.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
CityCamp is happening this weekend! Excited to see what new solutions we come up with! @civictechallies.bsky.social
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
What is CityCamp? It’s a community-led UNconference where residents, students, technologists, and civic leaders set the agenda together. This year, CityCamp Gainesville will be on Sunday, September 20th 2026 from 10 AM to 6 PM. Please register at this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Happy Earth Day from your friends at Florida Community Innovation! We think this is a great day to celebrate the Chengyu for Change Zine we championed last year. Check out the bilingual (Chinese & English) environmental zine here: floridainnovation.org/chengyu-for-...
floridainnovation.org
Chengyu for Change
Chengyu (成语) for Change is a bilingual (Chinese & English) environmental zine. It launched with a public dialogue initiative launching the day before Art Basel Miami—on December 4, 2025—at the …
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
We loved joining @scistarter.bsky.social’s #ActsofScience with @fathomverse.bsky.social FathomVerse is a free mobile game where you identify and classify marine life from real underwater images. Join today: scistarter.org/fathomverse Learn more about #CitSciMonth: citizensciencemonth.org
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
FCI, a tech nonprofit, and Data Science for Sustainable Development, a University of Florida student group, are coming together to host a data-driven dinner in Gainesville, FL on April 9, all about why data can be a force for good. RSVP and/or apply to give a lightning talk: bit.ly/datadrivendin
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
FCI student fellow Chloe Bai analyzed citizen-collected marine debris data from across Florida and suggests community solutions in a new blog post. Check it out! floridainnovation.org/2026/03/09/e... @scistarter.bsky.social
floridainnovation.org
Exploring Marine Debris Data in Florida for a Healthier Ocean
Analysis by Chloe Bai As a Florida Community Innovation (FCI) student fellow, I have been supported to explore my longstanding interest in ocean health and data analysis. The work presented here an…
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Grad student Isabella Jaramillo interviewed FCI freshman-intern-turned-board-member Rhiannon O'Donnell about her journey into community-centered technology for a new spotlight article. Check it out! floridainnovation.org/2026/03/12/w...
floridainnovation.org
Where Technology Meets Community: Spotlight on Rhiannon O’Donnell
Written by Isabella Jaramillo A New Beginning in Gainesville Rhi started at FCI as a freshman, and now that she’s graduated, she’s a board member! As a college freshman [in 2021], Rhian…
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Today, we celebrate Anna!
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Reposted by Florida Community Innovation Foundation
Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
On January 31, students, researchers, library staff, and community members gathered at the University of Florida for a powerful day of turning NASA citizen science data into real-world insight. Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate our winners and recognized teams: geoemerge.com/nasa-at-uf
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
We continue our board member spotlight series by celebrating Zach Stanford!
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
In a new series, we celebrate our board members. First up: our president, @nicolekdan.bsky.social!
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Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The EMERGE NASA Data Hackathon on January 31 from 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM ET at Marston UF will bring together Gators and community members alike to work with real GLOBE Observer data on mosquito risk and environmental health. All skill levels welcome. 🔗 Save your spot: geoemerge.com/nasa-at-uf/
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Reposted by Florida Community Innovation Foundation
Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
The EMERGE NASA Data Hackathon on January 31 from 8 AM - 8 PM at Marston Science Library will bring together Gators and community members alike to work with real GLOBE Observer data on mosquito risk and environmental health. All skill levels welcome. 🔗 Save your spot: geoemerge.com/nasa-at-uf/
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Reposted by Florida Community Innovation Foundation
Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 02/12/2025
These efforts include projects like @floridainnovation.bsky.social's resource map to help people in need find local programs for food, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance. They include Open Austin's fellowship program to develop aspiring civic technologists.
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Join us for Chengyu for Change—a bilingual art workshop + zine launch exploring ecological wisdom! 📅 Dec 4 | 5:30–7:15 PM 📍 Miami Beach Regional Library Register: mdpls.org/event/15047877 Featuring art inspired by Chengyu (成语) 50 free environmental zines for Art Basel week!
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Mintify is a student organization affiliated with @umsi, focused on user experience and user interface design. They've partnered with FCI, and they'll be spending the next few months scoping new parts of floridaresourcemap.org. We're excited to get to work!
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Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Last month, innovators of all ages came together at Broward County Library for the EMERGE Hackathon. You can join in too! Download the GLOBE Observer app to help track — and mitigate — mosquito habitats. Then, explore our free EMERGE curriculum (geo-di-lab.github.io/emerge-lesso...) to analyze data.
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
🌟 CityCamp Gainesville 2025🌟 Our first unconference brought residents, students & leaders together to tackle housing, AI ethics, LGBTQ+ resources, food insecurity & more. Thanks to all who joined! @civictechallies.bsky.social Recap👉 floridainnovation.org/citycamp-gai...
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Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
There's still time to register! geoemerge.com/hackathon-da... @scistarter.bsky.social @floridainnovation.bsky.social @chnickerson.bsky.social
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Noel Hidalgo 🗽❤️🚲 @noneck.org · 10/09/2025
If you are in Gainesville, FL on 9/20, you have a #CityCamp to attend.
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Join Florida Community Innovation and QueerCoded on Sept 20 (11 AM – 5 PM at Pascal’s Coffeehouse) for an “unconference” where neighbors, civic leaders, and technical and non-technical people alike team up to spark solutions for Gainesville, FL.  Register here: floridainnovation.org/citycamp-gai...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Join FCI for CityCamp Gainesville 2025! We’re bringing together residents, civic leaders, government staff, technologists, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to tackle local challenges through collaboration and shared ideas. floridainnovation.org/citycamp-gai...
CityCamp - World CityCamp Day 9/20/2025 - Where civics meets community - Register and learn more at Citycamp.com/events - Logos for both Alliance of Civic Technologists and Florida Community Innovation
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
CALLING ARTISTS We’re looking for 2D art inspired by Chengyu about nature, climate, and harmony across time and place. Submit by Sept 8, 2025: bit.ly/chengyuforch... Guidelines: bit.ly/chengyuforch...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
📣 Join us at @chihacknight.org on August 5! @nicolekdan.bsky.social will discuss CityCamp 2025 — a global, community-driven “unconference” movement focused on civic innovation and collaboration, coming this September from @civictechallies.bsky.social. Learn more: chihacknight.org/events/2025/...
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Caroline Nickerson, PhD @chnickerson.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
EMERGE is in the Lake Okeechobee News! There’s still time for you to join our mission & fight mosquitoes across Florida with @geoemerge.bsky.social’s NASA science. Supported as well by: @floridainnovation.bsky.social, @scistarter.bsky.social & others ❤️ 📰: www.lakeonews.com/labelle/stor...
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Reposted by Florida Community Innovation Foundation
Geo DI @geoemerge.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
We're turning mosquito data & community science into tools for public health & environmental resilience. 📅 Kickoff Week Webinars (July 28–Aug 1): Citizen science tools, planning tips, & curriculum demos 🔗 geoemerge.com/events 💸 Mini-grants: $300 for libraries/orgs 🔗 geoemerge.com/mini-grants-...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Looking to use your Python and AI experience for good? Volunteer 5-10 hours per week remotely at Florida Community Innovation creating an AI agent to automate data collection for the Florida Resource Map. (1/3)
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
🚨 Join us TOMORROW for something special! FCI is proud to be part of the first-ever @civictechallies.bsky.social Congress, an unconference open to all interested in building a better future with tech. ⏰ 12:30–6:30 PM ET 📍 Online 🎟️ Free and open to all 🔗 RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/alliance-o...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Earlier this year, Miami nearly scrapped its recycling program, raising alarms across FL. Enter Recyclepedia, a free app being co-developed by #DreaminGreen & Florida Community Innovation to make recycling easier, clearer—even fun. Help us test it: floridainnovation.org/recyclepedia
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Mark your calendars now: join Florida Community Innovation’s Civic Hack Day! 🗓 Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025 🕚 Time: 11 AM – 5 PM ET 📍 Location: Online via Zoom 🔗 Register and learn more here: floridainnovation.org/events
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
🎉 Huge congratulations to the American University students we had the honor of collaborating with this spring! 🎓 This amazing capstone team was recognized for their work with FCI on tech-driven solutions to the homelessness crisis in Florida, earning first place at their school's poster symposium.
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Alliance of Civic Technologists @civictechallies.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
📢 ACT's April newsletter is out now! Stay updated on the latest news, events, and insights. Like a @beta.nyc School of Data win, our sticker announcement, and a message from @floridainnovation.bsky.social Don't miss out – read it today! #ACTNewsletter
mailchi.mp
ACT Newsletter April 2025: BetaNYC Hits 600+ for School of Data! ACT & Member Stickers Coming Soon, Important Message from FCI
View this email in your browser
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
#ICYMI: In February, we released our #handbook, with a comprehensive overview of our model and projects: floridainnovation.org/2025/02/26/f... We are seeking partners to support our work. Start a #CSR program with FCI! :) #civictech #socialgood #experientiallearning
floridainnovation.org
FCI Handbook
FCI HandbookDownload
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
FCI is launching the Gentrification Risk Assessment Tool (GRAT): 📍 Porters Community Farm, Gainesville, FL 📅 Saturday, March 8, 2025 ⏰ 8:30-9:30 AM – Community Dialogue ⏰ 9:30-11:00 AM – Volunteering (planting & harvesting) ✅ RSVP: bit.ly/fcigratevent
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Throwback to our #DataWalk in Miami during the 2024 #10DaysofConnection! We're excited for this year's #10Days by #RadicalPartners. Full write-up: floridainnovation.org/2024/10/01/f... Here's a shorter version was syndicated to newspapers: www.theinvadingsea.com/2024/10/15/m...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
📢 Join us March 7! 🔎 Michigan UX students + #FLInnovation are researching how people access social services. See their findings & discuss the future of resource tech! 📅 March 7, 2025 | 🕔 5-7 PM 📍 Credo Conduit, Orlando 🍴 Snacks provided 🔗 RSVP: bit.ly/fcimichshowc...
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Wwe're partnering with the Porter's Farm for the Gentrification Risk Assessment Tool launch.Join the Fight Against Gentrification in Gainesville by starting the conversation! Learn more: bit.ly/fcigratevent Together, we can protect Gainesville’s historic communities. Let’s start the conversation.
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Hey! That's us!
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
FCI gets a shout out here! Thank you, @erie.bsky.social :)
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
We found a Polaroid camera from the '80s & decided to make our social media content a little retro this week. Nothing like experimenting with the technology of yesterday to inspire innovation today. Pictured: civic technologists at work. Donate: floridainnovation.org/donate
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
You know you want to! floridainnovation.org/donate
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Thank you for sharing, @civicwhitaker.com!
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
We had so much fun speaking to #ufcskickstart! The audience was primarily University of Florida first-years getting their start with tech. Olivia & @chnickerson.bsky.social from FCI gave an overview of civic tech — tech for the public good — & then shared FCI’s model project examples. (1/2)
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
🚀 GoBituary — an obituary, but on-the-go! Explore Miami’s past through stories of those buried at the historic Miami City Cemetery. Take our short survey & help shape the project! Visit www.gobituary.app. Let’s hit 100+ responses to show how history builds community.💙
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
🌟 Spotlight: Florida Resource Map (FRM) Team 🌟 Meet Rich Nguyen, FRM Project Manager & Backend Lead, and Kaden Luangsouphom, a new Backend Intern! Together, they’re building the FRM to enhance resource accessibility across Florida, embodying innovation & teamwork. 💻✨
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
🌍✨ FCI Spotlight: @chnickerson.bsky.social is presenting at @ucf.bsky.social's Global Health Conference! 📅 Feb 1, 2025 Her workshop will teach attendees how to use census data to tackle food insecurity with real-world insights from FCI’s work! 💡🌎 👉 Learn more: www.ucfglobalhealth.org
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Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 12/01/2025
I love this blog post by @floridainnovation.bsky.social interviewing @katjost.bsky.social of Code for Philly around building effective volunteer communities! floridainnovation.org/2025/01/02/b... #civictech
floridainnovation.org
Building Effective Volunteer Communities: Lessons from Code for Philly
Creating a space for volunteers and college students to thrive, especially in a remote environment, is no easy feat.  When we (Caroline and Juliana from Florida Community Innovation, a social …
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
GoBituary -- like an obituary, but on-the-go -- is a new interactive digital website that brings Miami’s past to life through the stories of individuals buried at the historic Miami City Cemetery. (1/4)
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Florida Community Innovation Foundation @floridainnovation.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
💡 New blog post: Building Effective Volunteer Communities! @chnickerson.bsky.social & Juliana Lucas from FCI interviewed @katjost.bsky.social from #CodeforPhilly about: ✅ Inclusive design from day 1 ✅ Volunteer motivations ✅ Planning meetings 📖 Read now: floridainnovation.org/2025/01/02/b...
floridainnovation.org
Building Effective Volunteer Communities: Lessons from Code for Philly
Creating a space for volunteers and college students to thrive, especially in a remote environment, is no easy feat.  When we (Caroline and Juliana from Florida Community Innovation, a social …
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