About & Accountability

Our mission

The American Center for Aviation Innovation (AMCAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved and at-risk youth in South Florida and across the nation through accessible, no-cost, year-round aviation, maritime, AI, and broader STEM education programs.

We were organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code — specifically to promote STEM education, aviation, and aerospace-related innovation for public benefit.

Why we exist

Aviation, aerospace, maritime and artificial intelligence industries are hiring faster than schools can prepare anyone for them. At the same time, students who fall behind in a traditional classroom are labelled and left behind — and the young people with the least access to hands-on STEM experience are exactly the ones those industries never reach.

AMCAI works the seam between those two facts. We take students that conventional pathways have written off, and we put them in a simulator, a lab, and a boat — with a diploma and an industry credential at the end of it.

What we do

  • Aviation & Aerospace — principles of flight, aircraft systems, simulator sessions, discovery flights, FAA Private Pilot knowledge preparation, and FAA Part 107 drone certification.
  • Maritime Technology & Engineering (ACMI) — marine navigation, environmental systems, artificial reef design, oil-spill response simulation, and maritime engineering foundations.
  • Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech — building AI tools, prompt engineering, and applied technology projects in modern STEM labs.
  • Engineering & STEM Foundations — robotics, electronics, mechanical systems and engineering design, through project challenges including Build-a-Plane, Build-a-Boat, solar cars and NASA-style robotics.

Alongside these, AMCAI supports dropout prevention and high school completion through High School Credit Recovery, the Success Steps Completion Program, and Adult High School Diploma options.

How students earn real credit

AMCAI is not an accrediting body, and we do not issue diplomas ourselves. Academic credit earned through our programs is issued by American High School Academy (AHSA), a Cognia®-accredited and NCAA-approved private school serving grades 6–12, with campuses in Kendall (South Miami) and Hialeah–North Miami.

Both credentials can be checked independently. AHSA’s Cognia® Certificate of Accreditation is valid through 30 June 2031, and the school is listed in the Florida Department of Education Master School Identification directory under MSID 13-7864.

AHSA was founded in 2003, serves over 500 students, and has more than 10,000 graduates. Our curriculum aligns with national mathematics and science standards and follows Career and Technical Education best practices, so students leave with credentials and documented hands-on hours rather than a certificate of participation.

Governance

AMCAI is governed by a volunteer board of directors, which sets policy, approves the budget and scholarship criteria, and oversees the organization’s finances. Officers serve without compensation.

Our officers of record are filed with the Florida Division of Corporations and with the Internal Revenue Service, and are a matter of public record. Funders, partners and regulators who need them directly are welcome to contact us and we will provide them.

Accountability and transparency

AMCAI is committed to ethical fundraising and transparent reporting. If you are evaluating us as a funder, partner or donor, this is the information you are most likely to need — and if you need something that is not here, please ask and we will send it.

  • Legal name: American Center for Aviation Innovation, Inc.
  • Tax status: 501(c)(3) public charity
  • EIN: 99-2049468
  • IRS determination letter: issued 25 March 2024 — read the letter
  • Florida charitable registration: CH77296
  • Fiscal year: 1 January – 31 December
  • Financial oversight: our books are maintained by an independent bookkeeping service, with annual review by an external tax preparer
  • Deductibility: contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law

Required disclosure (s.496.411(3), F.S.): A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), OR AT FDACS.gov. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Equal opportunity

AMCAI makes decisions about participation, scholarships and staffing based solely on merit, qualifications, and alignment with our mission, consistent with applicable federal law. We do not operate any program that gives preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Our programs are directed to students facing economic and academic disadvantage, and our scholarships are awarded on the basis of documented need.

Contact us

American Center for Aviation Innovation, Inc.
10300 SW 72nd St. #427
Miami, FL 33173, USA

Phone: 305-270-1440
Email: admin@amcai.org

For programs, volunteering, equipment donations, sponsorship or grant enquiries, please use our contact form — it routes your message to the right person.