Built Here Campaign

Built Here Campaign

Build What the Future Will Depend On

Across Southwest Florida, employers are searching for skilled talent while too many young adults remain disconnected from opportunity. STEMCAT exists to close that gap—building a workforce system that connects exposure, training, certification, and employment into one pathway. From drones and aviation to healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades, participants gain real hands-on experiences tied directly to workforce demand. A student introduced to drones today can become an FAA-certified aviation mechanic tomorrow. BUILT HERE is not charity—it is an investment in Skilled Minds, workforce infrastructure, and the future of Southwest Florida. Join the movement. Invest in what’s BUILT HERE.

SKILL INVESTOR — $25,000+

 
Building Early Exposure and Workforce Access
The Skill Investor level expands access to workforce exposure and foundational career development experiences for students and underserved participants entering the STEMCAT pipeline. Investments at this level directly support hands-on learning materials, industry certification testing, transportation assistance, participant support services, digital curriculum licensing, workforce kits, and entry-level equipment upgrades that introduce participants to high-demand industries.
This level also helps fund instructional support and education coordination needed to manage workforce cohorts, student engagement, and early career exploration activities. A Skill Investor helps STEMCAT engage 15–20 participants through workforce exposure experiences tied to aviation, drones, healthcare, manufacturing, digital technology, and skilled

CATALYST INVESTOR — $50,000+

 Expanding Capacity and Workforce Delivery

The Catalyst Investor level strengthens STEMCAT’s operational and instructional capacity to deliver workforce programming at scale. Investments at this level help fund workforce coordinators, instructors, expanded digital curriculum systems, cohort operations, industry-aligned training modules, participant tracking systems, and additional staffing required to support growing workforce demand.

Catalyst investments also support equipment modernization and instructional upgrades that ensure students train on systems aligned with current industry standards and employer expectations.

 

IMPACT INVESTOR —$100,000

Building Industry Labs and Employment Pathways
The Impact Investor level establishes or expands workforce labs and technical learning environments connected directly to employment pathways. Investments at this level fund advanced simulation systems, technical equipment, workforce lab infrastructure, industry-specific technology, and scalable training systems aligned with regional labor shortages and emerging workforce sectors.
Impact Investors help STEMCAT create immersive workforce environments where participants move beyond exposure into technical skill development tied directly to certifications and careers.

System Investor 150,000

System Investor help build what the future workforce will stand on.
Not another program.
Not another presentation.
A system of exposure, experiences, and workforce access that allows young people to see industries before life tells them they can’t belong in them.
This level helps build the rooms, the energy, the industry presence, and the moments where Skilled Minds begin to recognize themselves.
Because talent is already here.
It just needs something real to connect to.

Legacy 250,000

Industry Igniters spark the first brick of exposure.
The first time a student touches robotics.
Steps into healthcare.
Sees advanced manufacturing.
Builds something with their hands.
Or realizes they may actually belong in the future they’ve been watching from a distance.
This investment helps turn curiosity into direction and exposure into momentum.
Not a science fair.
A workforce awakening.

Campaign Resources