SANIBEL-CAPTIVA NONPROFIT DIRECTORY
Inspiring Philanthropy, Leadership and Collaboration for the vitality of the Island community.
Helping hands across the islands
Here are island-based nonprofit organizations that strive to make the Sanibel-Captiva community such an exceptional place to live.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 395-2233
Sam Ankerson, Executive Director - sankerson@shellmuseum.org
Website: shellmuseum.org
Facebook: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
Purpose: To use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them and their ecosystems. Programs: Education and conservation
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Jorden Falker
BIG ARTS
900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 395-0900
Lee Ellen Harder, Executive Director - lharder@bigarts.org
Website: bigarts.org
Facebook: BIG ARTS – Music, Arts, and Entertainment
Purpose: To provide quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors. Programs include arts and enrichment classes and workshops, lectures and discussions with national thought leaders and educators and high-caliber visual and performing arts.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Wendy Harriman
Captiva Civic Association (CCA)
11550 Chapin Lane, PO Box 778, FL 33924
(239) 472-2111
Emily Ankerson, Executive Director - emily.ankerson@ccacaptiva.org
Website: ccacaptiva.org
Facebook: Captiva Civic Association
Purpose: Preservation of the quality of life, ambiance and environmental integrity of this unique barrier island community.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Emily Ankerson at emily.ankerson@ccacaptiva.org
Info: info@ccacaptiva.org
Captiva Community Panel
PO Box 72, Captiva, FL 33924
Ken Gooderham, Administrator - captivacommunitypanel@gmail.com
Website: captivacommunitypanel.com
Purpose: The Captiva Community Panel and other community, civic and business organizations work together with Lee County and other regulatory bodies to protect the fragile and limited resources of our coastal barrier island’s planning, land development and natural resources.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Ken Gooderham at captivacommunitypanel@gmail.com
Captiva Island Historical Society
PO Box 163, Captiva, FL 33924
Tom Libonate, President - mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org
Website: CaptivaIslandHistoricalSociety.org
Facebook: Captiva Island Historical Society
Purpose: Committed to gathering, preserving, interpreting and sharing the island’s history.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org
Info: mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org
Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI)
PO Box 1429, Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 322-3818
Dolly Farrell, Executive Director - dfarrell@sancapcfi.org
Website: MyCFI.org
Purpose: The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is a public grant-making charity serving the Sanibel and Captiva community. CFI’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to improve the vitality of the Island community. Signature programs include grant and fund management, donor-advised funds, engagement of the nonprofit sector through education and training, as well as identifying the next generation of volunteers through the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program.Volunteer opportunities: Contact Dolly Farrell at dfarrell@sancapcfi.org
Info: info@sancapcfi.org
Children’s Education Center of Islands (CECI)
350 Casa Ybel Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-4538
Michelle Keltner, Executive Director - cecidirector@gmail.com
Website: childrenseducationcenter.com
Facebook: Children’s Education Center of the Islands
Purpose: Fostering Wonder, Creativity, and Environmental Stewardship: Our naturebased preschool is dedicated to nurturing the innate curiosity and creativity of young minds through immersive experiences in the natural world. We believe that children are competent, natural learners and full of potential. Our mission is to provide a nature and play-based learning environment where children are safe to explore and express themselves. We aspire to cultivate a sense of wonder and understanding of our sanctuary island and the natural world, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and respect for the environment.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Michelle Keltner. Some available for youth. Info: ceciteachers@gmail.com
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. (CROW)
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-3644
Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director - ahussey@crowclinic.org
Website: crowclinic.org
Facebook: CROWClinic
Purpose: The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is a teaching hospital and visitor center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine. Volunteer opportunities: Contact volunteer@crowclinic.org. Some available for youth off property.
Community Housing and Resources, Inc. (CHR)
2340 Periwinkle Way Suite K-2, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-1189
Nicole Decker-McHale, Executive Director - Nicole@sanibelchr.org
Website: sancapchr.org
Facebook: Community Housing and Resources
Purpose: To provide affordable housing and resources for families and individuals who serve and have served Sanibel and Captiva Islands, while maintaining the economic diversity that contributes to the extraordinary culture and the continued well-being of our community.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-1100 ext. 222
Toni Westland - (239) 472-1100 ext. 222
Website: fws.gov/dingdarling
Facebook: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Purpose: To protect and preserve the J. N. “Ding” National Darling Wildlife Refuge Complex as a wildlife sanctuary and as a place of beauty, inspiration and natural wonderment for future generations through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Volunteer opportunities: Contact Toni Westland. Available for those 18 and older.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge
PO Box 565, Sanibel, FL 33957
Ann-Marie Wildman, Executive Director - wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org (239) 789-8991
Website: dingdarlingsociety.org
Facebook: “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge
Purpose: The society works collaboratively to preserve and protect the J. N. “Ding” National Darling Wildlife Refuge complex.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Ann-Marie Wildman. Available to those 18 and older at nature store, special events and various programs.
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc.
2430 B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-4775
Maria Espinoza, Executive Director - maria@fishofsancap.org
Website: fishofsancap.org
Facebook: F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc.
Purpose: To enrich the lives of all people in Sanibel and Captiva islands through neighbors helping neighbors with social services, education and assistance.
*Food. We work to ensure that no islander must decide between feeding their family or paying rent, childcare or medical bills by offering a food pantry, meals on wheels, backpack program and holiday assistance.
*Island-based education. We provide educational opportunities at all levels of learning and in all forms to empower people and enhance connectedness. We offer programs for adults, children, and seniors.
*Senior services. FISH volunteers and staff enrich the lives of seniors through personal connections, visits, daily reassurance calls, equipment lending, senior care boxes, transportation, technology assistance, hurricane preparedness program and more. These services aim to allow seniors to age in place safely and with dignity.
*Helping hands. Our social services department helps with essential costs such as rent, utilities and medical bills through our Emergency Financial Assistance program. We also provide youth resources such as school supplies, gift assistance and childcare assistance. Volunteer opportunities: Available, including activities for youth service hours. Contact Merari Salinas, Community Outreach Manager, (239) 472-4775 or fill out the volunteer inquiry form at Volunteer Inquiry – FISH of SANCAP.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)
3333 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-2329
James Evans, CEO - james.evans@sccf.org
Website: sccf.org
Facebook: SCCF
Purpose: Founded in 1967, SCCF protects and cares for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems by focusing on water quality research, policy and advocacy, sea turtles and shorebirds, native landscaping, habitat and wildlife management, and environmental education for learners of all ages.
Primary causes: C onservation, animals and habitats, education, science and research Volunteer opportunities: Contact coordinator Kealy McNeal. Some available for youth. Info: sccf@sccf.org
Sanibel Sea School
455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-8585
Shannon Rivard, Director - srivard@sccf.org
Website: sanibelseaschool.org
Purpose: To improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time. Sanibel Sea School, part of the SCCF family, is dedicated to vibrantly teaching children and adults about marine ecosystems – animals, people, plants, land, ocean and weather. Our vision is a world where all people value, understand and care for the sea. We allow students to touch, feel and interact with natural surroundings. This transformative education changes lives, fosters an intimate connection with our ocean planet, and instills lifelong stewardship. Primary causes: Experiential learning, education, conservation. Volunteer opportunities: Contact sanibelseaschool@sccf.org. Available, including some for youth.
Sanibel Community Association
2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-2155
Email: operations@sanibelcommunityhouse.net
Website: sanibelcommunityhouse.net
Facebook: Sanibel Community Association “The Community House”
Purpose: To enrich community spirit, through educational, cultural and social gatherings in our historic house.
Programs/causes: 1927 Historical House, culinary programs, art educational programs, art shows, assisting other nonprofits
Volunteer opportunities: Available, including helping with greeting arrivals, special events, answering phones, general office work. Email: operations@sanibelcommunityhouse.net
Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
Office: (239) 472-4648, Cell: (239) 357-1644
Email - info@sanibelmuseum.org
Website: sanibelmuseum.org
Facebook: Sanibel Historical Museum & Village Inc.
Purpose: To preserve, share and celebrate Sanibel’s history.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Emilie Alfino. Available, including front desk greeter, front desk assistant, docent, errands and light housekeeping. Info: info@sanibelmuseum.org
Sanibel School Fund (812) 239-9392
Kate Shaffer - kateshaffer814@gmail.com
Website: sanibelschoolfund.betterworld.org
Purpose: The Sanibel School Fund is an extension of the Lee County School Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Funds raised by the Sanibel School Fund support the Sanibel School’s robust STEM program.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Kate Shaffer. Available, including assisting with annual golf tournament.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
1159 Causeway Road, Sanibel Island, FL 33957 (239) 472-1080
John Lai, Executive Director - john@sanibel-captiva.org
Website: Sanibel-captiva.org
Facebook: Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce
Mission: To promote the prosperity of our members and preserve the quality of life in our community.
Causes: To help grow local businesses, we provide complimentary marketing and business support services for businesses to reach visitors to the area, as well as other businesses.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Aaron Walton
Info: office@sanibel-captiva.org
Sanibel Music Festival
P.O. Box 1623, Sanibel, FL, 33957 (239) 344-7025
Deborah F. Larson and Shirley Witte, Co-presidents
Website: sanibelmusicfestival.org
Email: info@sanibelmusicfestival.org
Mission: The mission of the Festival is to present classical music of the highest standard and to promote the careers of emerging artists through performance opportunities at affordable prices.
Volunteer and hosting opportunities: info@sanibelmusicfestival.org
The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF)
P.O. Box 250, Sanibel, FL, 33957 (239) 763-5577 | tiof@outlook.com
Kathryn Brintnall, President - tiof.kbrintnall@gmail.com
Esther DeVito, Director of Development - tiof.edevito@gmail.com
Website: ospreys.com
Facebook: The International Osprey Foundation
Instagram: @tiof.ospreys
Purpose: The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF), was founded on Sanibel Island, Florida, in 1981, with its founding principle: the protection and preservation of Ospreys worldwide. To that end, TIOF strives to educate the world community and offer research grants on raptor-related projects internationally. TIOF also recruits and coordinates teams of volunteers who build and maintain osprey nesting platforms and monitor osprey nests locally during breeding season.
Volunteer opportunities: ospreys.com/volunteer
Trailways Camps, Inc.
P.O. Box 324, Sanibel Island, FL 33957 (941) 564-9861
Jamie Senkeleski, Camp Director
Website: trailwayscamps.org
Facebook: Trailways Camp
Purpose: Enabling adults with special needs, and those who care for them, to grow their social, emotional and spiritual relationships.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Jamie Senkeleski
Info: trailwayscamps@gmail.com
Connecting and Inspiring the Future Volunteer Leaders of the Islands
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) has a long history of serving, supporting and empowering charitable organizations that advance the life and vitality of the Sanibel-Captiva community. Our roots go back to the year 2000, when a group of island leaders, including Francis Bailey, recognized the need to promote philanthropy on Sanibel and Captiva islands to assist those in need. Mr. Bailey served as its first board chairman. Later this morphed into a Good Neighbor Fund under the aegis of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation (now The Collaboratory). Francis Bailey was succeeded as chair by Al Hanser in 2011 and a separate nonprofit corporation was established. Mr. Hanser retired from the board in 2018 and now serves as Chair Emeritus.