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

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

Mission: 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 at jfalker@shellmuseum.org

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

Mission: 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 at wharriman@bigarts.org

Captiva Civic Association (CCA)

PO Box 778, Captiva, FL 33924 (239) 472-2111

Emily Ankerson, Executive Director - emily.ankerson@ccacaptiva.org

Website: ccacaptiva.org

Facebook: Captiva Civic Association

Mission: 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

Mission: 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

Website: CaptivaIslandHistoricalSociety.org

Facebook: Captiva Island Historical Society

Mission: 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) 355-8614

Dolly Farrell, Executive Director - dfarrell@sancapcfi.org

Website: MyCFI.org

Mission: To identify community needs and collaborate with Sanibel and Captiva organizations to effect change through the stewardship of donor advised funds and the awarding of grants that impact the health, education and well-being of those living in our communities. Our signature initiatives include developing the next generation of volunteers and leaders through the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program as well as strengthening the Islands’ nonprofit organizations and promoting collaboration across the sector.

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

Mission: To create a nurturing, exciting learning environment that creates happy, curious, confident children.

Volunteer opportunities: Contact Michelle Keltner at cecidirector@gmail.com

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

Mission: 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)

2401 Library Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

Temporary Mailing Address: PO Box 62014, Fort Myers, FL 33906 (239) 472-1189

Melissa Rice, Executive Director - melissa.rice@sanibelchr.org

Website: sanibelchr.org

Facebook: Community Housing and Resources – CHR

Mission: To provide affordable housing to individuals and families who work on and serve our island community.

Volunteer opportunities: Contact melissa.rice@sanibelchr.org or visit the website sanibelchr.org for updated opportunities that include IT assistance, office assistance, fundraising assistance, handyman/contractor assistance, general cleanup assistance and more. CHR needs secure storage space and temporary office space.

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-1100 ext. 222

Katy Hosokawa - (239) 472-1100 ext. 222 or katy_hosokawa@fws.gov

Website: fws.gov/dingdarling

Facebook: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Mission: To protect and preserve the J. N. “Ding” Darling National 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 Katy Hosokawa at katy_hosokawa@fws.gov

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge

PO Box 565, Sanibel, FL 33957

Ann-Marie Wildman, Associate Executive Directorwildman@dingdarlingsociety.org or (239) 789-8991

Birgie Miller, Executive Director - director@dingdarlingsociety.org or (239) 292-0566

Website: dingdarlingsociety.org

Facebook: “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge

Mission: The society works collaboratively to preserve and protect the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex.

Volunteer opportunities: Contact Ann-Marie Wildman at wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org. 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.

Mission: To enrich the lives of all people in Sanibel and Captiva islands through neighbors helping neighbors with social services, education and assistance. Our four primary programs are:

*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: Contact Kim Ouellette at kim@fishofsancap.org, (239) 472-4775. Available, including activities for youth service hours.

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

Mission: 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: Science, Education, Advocacy and Conservation.

Volunteer opportunities: Contact Kealy McNeal at kmcneal@sccf.org

Info: sccf@sccf.org

Sanibel Sea School

455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-8585

Shannon Rivard, Director - srivard@sccf.org

Mission: 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

Teresa Riska-Hall, Executive Director - teresa@sanibelcommunityhouse.net

Website: sanibelcommunityhouse.net

Facebook: Sanibel Community Association “The Community House”

Mission: 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 non-profits

Volunteer opportunities: Contact Teresa Riska-Hall. Available, including helping with greeting arrivals, special events, answering phones, general office work.

Sanibel Historical Museum & Village

950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957

Office: (239) 472-4648, Cell: (239) 357-1644

Emilie Alfino, Executive Director - info@sanibelmuseum.org

Website: sanibelmuseum.org

Facebook: Sanibel Historical Museum & Village Inc.

Mission: To preserve, share and celebrate Sanibel’s history.

Volunteer opportunities: Contact Emilie Alfino at info@sanibelmuseum.org. 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

Mission: 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 at kateshaffer814@gmail.com. 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 at Aaron@sanibel-captiva.org

Info: office@sanibel-captiva.org