Florida Community Innovation

The Florida Resource Map (FRM) team at Florida Community Innovation (FCI) recently had the privilege of attending a Rally Accelerator Workshop in Orlando, Florida.

Rich Nguyen, Joel Samuel, and Nick Tayag — all undergraduates at the University of Florida — of the FRM team learned skills such as refining a pitch, problem-solving, and keeping FCI sustainable during the workshop. 

FCI is a civic tech nonprofit that connects Floridians with trusted information and resources to navigate challenging times through our flagship project the Florida Resource Map. This interactive platform is designed to help social workers and Floridians find accurate, up-to-date resources, including food banks, health clinics, and shelters, for individuals and families in need.

The Rally Accelerator is dedicated to making early stage ventures sustainable. They support entrepreneurs by providing tools and strategies to help them grow, sustain their impact, and thrive financially. 

FCI’s Executive Director, Caroline Nickerson, was selected as a Rally Fellow this past summer. 

Now, Nick, Joel, and Rich describe their experience, in their own words!

Rally Accelerator: Shaping Our Approach

At the heart of Rally’s mission is helping organizations like FCI achieve self-sufficiency. One of the key takeaways from the workshop was learning how to craft a compelling pitch that clearly communicates our mission while connecting emotionally with our audience. 

While we had previously understood the basic principles of pitching, Rally helped us refine our approach. We learned that a great pitch is more than just presenting facts—it’s about storytelling that engages the listener, highlights the core value of the project, and leaves a lasting impression.

This focus on storytelling gave us the confidence to better present the FRM and its potential to improve lives. We realized that by telling the story of those who benefit from the platform, we can more effectively communicate its value to funders and partners. 

For example, when we talked to one of our pilot social workers, her perspective and the impact the FRM had on her workflow made the benefit of our project more tangible and understandable. Thus, we can use these first-hand accounts to convey our values and gather more funders and partners who will passionately advocate for the FRM.  

Nick said he learned that “a well developed pitch isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about creating a connection with your audience. By weaving in a story that resonates, you can make your idea not only understandable but also memorable.”

The workshop also challenged us to think creatively about problem-solving. We were encouraged to step outside of traditional frameworks and explore innovative ways to tackle challenges. 

Rich said that he learned how to approach situations with an “I’m excited rather than I’m scared” mindset. This “changed how [Rich] approached new and difficult situations. Oftentimes the only limiter to your success is yourself. Learn to step outside your comfort zone and you’ll find most of the solutions to your problems.”

This collaboration environment inspired fresh ideas for improving the FRM ’s functionality and financial sustainability, helping us look beyond the immediate issues and think about long-term growth.

The Role of Rally’s Mentors in Our Success

A huge part of the Rally Accelerator workshop’s impact came from the incredible mentorship we received throughout our time there. 

Our mentors guided us through key areas such as financial sustainability, community impact, and operational growth. Their advice was instrumental in helping us form actionable strategies for the FRM’s growth.

Sandi Vidal, Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives at the Central Florida Foundation, brought her deep knowledge of homelessness, hunger, and poverty to our discussions, helping us brainstorm new features for the FRM that could further assist some of the most vulnerable populations in Florida.

Mark Brewer, President & CEO of the Central Florida Foundation, provided crucial financial consulting, guiding us in securing funding and building a self-sustaining model for the FRM. His insights will be instrumental as we move forward in achieving long-term financial stability.

Jack Elkins, from Duda and Sons, and Rajiv Menon, Founder and CEO of Informulate, were key figures in organizing and leading the workshop. Their advice and support helped shape our thinking around innovation and growth. Through their mentorship, we gained a clearer understanding of how to scale our projects while staying true to our mission.

The Path Forward

Attending the Rally Accelerator Workshop was an invaluable experience for our team. It not only provided us with knowledge for improving the FRM but also opened new avenues for ensuring the sustainability of all our civic tech projects. 

With the insights gained from Rally, we feel more confident in our ability to secure funding, build partnerships, and scale our impact.

We are deeply grateful to our mentors—Sandi Vidal, Mark Brewer, Jack Elkins, and Rajiv Menon—for their guidance, expertise, and support. Their contributions have been critical in helping us chart a path forward, and we’re excited to apply everything we’ve learned to empower communities through technology.

Another significant takeaway from the Rally Accelerator was the focus on creative problem-solving. We were encouraged to look at challenges from different perspectives, to question the status quo, and to think outside the box. The workshop provided a safe space to experiment with ideas, no matter how unconventional they might seem.

Thanks to the workshop, our team is now better equipped to drive meaningful change. We look forward to continuing our mission with renewed purpose and a stronger foundation for future success.

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