The Miami Foundation Accelerator Grants Ideas

Caribbean Reef SOS's mission is to save Caribbean coral reefs from extinction. It is a new, regional non-profit, based in Miami, that aims to raise awareness of the coral reef crisis, to organize concerned global citizens, and to raise funds for research, recovery efforts, and strategic advocacy. See business plan at CRSOS.org.

Homeless Students have it tough. Some are fortunate to receive scholarships and as such are able to continue their studies at colleges and universities around the country. Unfortunately most colleges and universities close their dorms for summer and winter recess. When this happens homeless students end up on the streets. Not only are homeless students impacted by this unfortunate matter, but other students suffer as... more »

EyeTalker is a pair of glasses with an embedded camera that captures printed text and delivers it as audio to the visually impaired. EyeTalker helps the blind “hear” text printed in books, magazines, restaurant menus and any other printed media. EyeTalker assists the visually impaired to acquire knowledge, shop for many basic necessities, earn a living, and gain a higher level of dignity, freedom and independence.

The main water resource for all Miami-Dade citizens lies just below our feet in the Biscayne Aquifer. Yet, there are a number of threats to the quality and quantity of this water. Sea level rise and existing water management operations threaten to contaminate our drinking water with salt water. Urban sprawl and other land use changes remove open space needed to replenish the aquifer and provide refuge for humans and... more »

Our year-long project provides much needed guidance, learning tools & services to assist this underserved and often overlooked segment of our community…Resulting in a better understanding of the Trans community, better trained & prepared individuals, employment opportunities & overall support.

- ESTABLISHING TRANSMiami Center, 2 meetings per month..2nd & 3rd Tues of every month. 6-8pm
- Providing support, guest speakers... more »

BEING A BETTER PERSON - through what we eat, how we take care of ourselves, how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. Many of us find some, most or all of these topics difficult to follow in our daily lives. Add the pressures of family, peers, ageing, economy & surroundings, and it often becomes overwhelming.

Our project provides much needed guidance, learning tools & services to assist this under-served and often... more »

Affirming YOUth is a workshop where youth, as well as their parents, can come to learn and understand experiences different from their own, where inclusion is paramount; where diversity and words used to communicate matter; and where knowing creates empathy.

Achieving this milestone is done through skits, open discussions and musical selections focusing on body weight, sexual orientation, conflict resolution, bullying... more »

The existing approach to product development/manufacturing is in dire need of a paradigm shift. Resources and labor have been outsourced to such an extent that the carbon footprint associated with consumer products is through the roof. Not to mention legislation, companies and organizations are pulling together to demand a more eco-conscious approach to daily practices and protocol.

D Squared Engineering seeks to improve... more »

The goal is to increase safety and access in the home despite age or mobility level by addressing the following concerns associated with again in place: fall prevention, accessibility, fire safety, air quality and home security. This innovative program will provide the best use of available funding to allow for independence, comfort and peace of mind in the home at no cost to the homeowner.

Project Panther LIFE: Learning Is For Everyone is a certificate, non-degree program of study which allows students with Intellectual Disabilities to access and participate in a variety of FIU courses, varied job shadowing opportunities throughout campus, supervised employment internship experiences in the community, and other required program and community activities (e.g., Summer Residential Program, online academic... more »

Paid employment and independent living – support TLE (The Learning Experience School) in its drive to help its adult students to pursue these goals and to become happy, productive members of the community.

WaveMaker Grants provides cash grants of up to $10,000 each to support and validate artist-centric, artist-driven projects that have a profound impact on the critical, intellectual, and creative depth of Miami-Dade County’s arts community. These projects are non-commercial, stimulate critical thinking and dialogue, and introduce audiences to innovative artistic practices typically under-recognized by traditional venues.... more »

The City’s comprehensive literacy program, Hialeah Reads!, was implemented in the summer of 2000. Through Hialeah Reads!, the City of Hialeah has offered one to one reading tutoring for children, small group reading tutoring and intensive reading classes, a computerized reading program for adults and children to aid with English language skills, conversational English classes for adults, one to one basic literacy assistance... more »

Between Here & No Where is an art exhibition that will create innovative temporary public art spaces that will serve to raise awareness about homelessness. The participating artists are homeless art students, homeless artists or artists who use their art to raise awareness about homelessness. This project will help unite the community and serve to galvanize our citizens. It will also provide an opportunity for these... more »

In a unique partnership with Miami Northwestern Senior High School, and with the support of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the FIU Center for Leadership is committed to inspiring, motivating, and encouraging Miami Northwestern’s non-instructional staff to connect and develop relationships with their students that will contribute to the student’s overall development and future success.

A part of the M-DCPS’... more »