- Susan Bible, Realtor
- Civitan International
- Angela M. Lanctot, Esq.
- MJ’s Thoughtful Care
- Peluso Movers, Inc.
- Quest, Inc: Camp Thunderbird
- Community Resource Network of Florida, Inc.
- The Lutgert Companies
- Janice Jackson , LMT
- Bryant Title & Escrow
ABOUT US
Our Mission.
The Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled strives to provide a better quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities in Collier and Lee counties
What we do.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation committed to ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support they need to be full members of the community. We encompass all ages and all spectrums from autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and various other developmental disabilities.
Our major focus areas:
- Advocating for the rights and needs of citizens with developmental disabilities.
- Increasing community awareness of the unique worth of disabled persons.
- Providing social and recreational opportunities for clients.
- Serving as a support group for families of persons with disabilities.
- Offering support and grants to qualified organizations providing services to the disabled.
- Seeking quality affordable housing for persons with developmental disabilities.
History of the Foundation
The Foundation was incorporated as the Foundation for the Developmentally Handicapped, a non-profit organization, in 1982. The Foundation became the fundraising arm to further the mission of TECH of Collier County.
Between 1986 and 2001, the Foundation undertook two separate building projects to purchase land, build and repay the mortgage for a 12,000+ square foot property on Golden Gate Parkway in Naples that houses the ABLE Academy.
In 1990, the organization changed its name to the TECH Foundation to broaden their support for adults, housing issues and public advocacy.
Between 1994 and 1997 the TECH Foundation awarded almost $350,000 in support to TECH of Collier County for Day Treatment, Strive and operational support.
When TECH and Sunrise Communities merged in 1997 the TECH Foundation took over the financial management of the Friends of TECH and their social and recreational programs. The TECH Foundation also renegotiated the return and became guardian of the Becker Fund on behalf of the Friends.
In 1999, the TECH Foundation changed its name to the Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled to better reflect its countywide position as a voice for all people with developmental disabilities.
In 2006, the Friends of the Developmentally Disabled and the Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled merged under the Foundation’s name to provide a united effort focused on providing the maximum support possible to persons with developmental disabilities.
In 2009, the Foundation’s Board of Directors voted to expand the footprint of the organization to include Lee County, in addition to Collier County. The organization also hired an Executive Director to provide operational leadership and guidance.
The Foundation has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities. We have raised in excess of $1.5 million in our existence.