2023 Charitable Foundation of the Islands Impact Report

Report to the Community

June 2023

We are pleased to offer this report of our shared accomplishments since Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28, 2022. Because of your trust, confidence and support, CFI:

Distributed over $1 million in grants and relief assistance to Sanibel and Captiva organizations. Affirmed the importance of the Islands’ nonprofit sector: providing much needed support by way of employee assistance grants and facilitating important conversations to collaborate and share resources, including incubating powerful ideas such as the POINT volunteer platform.

Matched residents to the needs of the community and helped identify new volunteers: The Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2022 hosted the Get Inspired! Nonprofit Expo on March 30 so Sanibel and Captiva residents could connect to our island organizations.

And inspired new philanthropy with Laurie and Bill Harkey’s $2 million investment: The Sanibel couple created a donor advised fund in spring 2023 while also naming CFI as a successor trustee, demonstrating their trust in our ability to serve the community well into the future.

You will see CFI dreaming big with our community collaborators and gathering momentum each day. Making dreams come true requires allies and we hope to enlist your support once more. Thank you for joining us in this important work.

With deep appreciation,

Dolly Farrell Chip Roach Executive Director Board Chair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023

Chip Roach (Chair)

Melissa Congress (Vice Chair)

Lisa Riordan (Secretary)

Doug Congress (Treasurer)

Mike Bennett

Sam Boren King

Tony Lapi

Tom Libonate

Jane Majeski

John Morse

Jeff Muddell

Rachel Pierce

Bob Wiesemann

Al Hanser (Chair Emeritus)

Dolly Farrell (Executive Director)

Cover Photo: Rachel Pierce, CFI Board Member

PHILANTHROPY

Hurricane Ian was strong, but we are stronger rings true in a way we never dreamed possible.

The creation of the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund in the days immediately after Hurricane Ian made landfall allowed CFI to meet many community needs. Thank you for the inspiring response to our call to action.

Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund

Raised: $363,542 (as of 5/15/23)

Donors: 63

Average Gift: $11,000

Lead donors include:

Anonymous

Hugh J. Andersen Foundation

The Boler Family Foundation

Community Foundation of Macon County – Bob and Kathy Wiesemann

Thomas and Barbara Dunham

Tony and Angie Lapi

John and Donna Schubert

The Dayton Foundation – Steven and Molly Cobb

Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund grants awarded (as of 5/15/23)

Nonprofit Employees Assistance Grants

$180,000 expended to 70 employees; $20,000 reserved for long-term needs

Small Business Recovery Grants

$91,250 distributed to the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

Capacity Building Grants

$72,292 grants in process of being awarded

From left, Nancy Roach, John Schubert, Donna Schubert and Chip Roach.

Every gift matters

She sells seashells

Massachusetts resident Zoe Barnhill grew up visiting her grandparents at their home on Sanibel. She loved shelling there with her mother.

Those fond memories, and her avid shell-collecting habit, led her recently to donate the proceeds from her shell bracelet sales to the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund.

“I have collected all kinds of shells over the years,” she said. “I really felt like I needed to do something to help out, but since I do not live close by, I decided I could raise money to donate. Attached is a photo of some of the bracelets I made! I am so glad to be able to support the islands!”

Thank you, Zoe, and thank you to all the generous people supporting the rebuilding of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Here are examples of the shell bracelets Zoe Barnhill created to support Sanibel’s recovery.

CFI gathered leaders of island nonprofits on Captiva in September 2022.

Helping the HelpersNonprofit Employee Assistance Program

Raised: $200,000

Awarded: $180,000 (as of 5/15/23)

Recipients: 70 individuals from 11 nonprofit organizations

Average grant: $2,500

The Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program launched in November to help employees of nonprofit partners throughout Sanibel and Captiva islands whose lives were impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Current and former CFI board members and their Donor Advised Fund partners offered a match of up to $100,000 to launch the program. The 1:1 match was successfully met before the Dec. 15 deadline.

Jack Evans, one of the first donors to the recovery fund, took a week off from work to volunteer at F.I.S.H. He and his wife have vacationed on Sanibel for 35 years.

Two nonprofit organizations, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), each contributed $5,000.

What executive directors said

“About one-third of the staff has been displaced. This is a wonderful way to show how grateful we are for the critical work that all our nonprofits’ employees provide to our community.”

-James Evans, CEO Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

“We can’t thank CFI enough for the generosity and speed with which the funds were raised. Our CROW staff, as well as the teams from the other nonprofit organizations, can begin to rebuild their lives.”

-Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

“F.I.S.H.’s. structure lends itself to this type of program and we are happy to partner with CFI. We are eager to assist those who work so hard for the benefit of the islands.”

-Maria Espinoza, Executive Director F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc.

What a grant recipient said

“My grandmother’s home was destroyed and she passed as a result of the storm. I have been a member of this SWFL community since I was born 23 years ago. My family and I endured numerous hurricanes throughout my life, but this one left us devastated. We are scrambling to fix my grandmother’s flooded home, while grieving the loss of my only grandparent. I am grateful for this assistance as I will be able to alleviate some of the heavy burden for both repairs and funeral expenses that my family is attempting to cover.”

-Taylor Lukasik

Accelerating small business recovery

Island chamber hires critical staff member through CFI grant

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce has hired a member services manager, a position critical to helping the chamber support businesses as they rebuild following Hurricane Ian.

Alex Bustamante began work May 15.

The position was made possible by a $75,000 grant from the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) through its Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund.

The member services manager serves as the point of contact for island businesses – existing chamber members, new ones and even non-members – to connect them to the resources they need to reopen.

See full story

Grant helps chamber provide ‘open’ signs to businesses

Tall signs now identify open businesses on Sanibel and Captiva islands, thanks to a joint effort of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI), The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sanibel.

With a $16,450 grant from the CFI Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund, the chamber purchased 100 signs and provided them to open businesses without charge. The Sanibel City Council approved the 5-foot-6-inchtall feather signs in place of the 3-foot-6-inch-tall signs previously allowed.

Donor Advised Funds play key role in islands’ future

In 2022, CFI’s Donor Advised Fund (DAF) partners recommended grants totaling close to $682,000, with more than $400,000 (60%) earmarked for the SWFL community.

CECI artist’s painting serves as thank you to generous DAF donors

Beau Gales, a young artist from Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) recently painted a picture for Liz and Jim Birmingham, who generously donated to the preschool through their donor advised fund with CFI.

CECI board President Andrea Murphy presented donors Liz and Jim Birmingham with the painting created by Beau Gales to thank them for the donation from their donor advised fund with CFI.

Sanibel residents Bill and Laurie Harkey establish $2 million DAF

Laurie and Bill Harkey have embraced philanthropic causes in multiple locations as they moved for Bill’s Army career. When they moved to Sanibel 4 years ago, they became involved with local nonprofits that matched their interests. The next logical step was to invest in those causes.

So, they recently created a $2 million Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI), as well as a legacy commitment by naming CFI as a successor trustee.

“This is our home now,” Laurie said. “We’re shifting our support and our interest here. Now it’s time to shift our focus.”

EXPLORING OPTIONS

Bill said they looked at various local organizations before deciding to establish the fund with CFI. A donor advised fund is a simple and tax efficient way to give to your favorite charities. They are also the fastest growing charitable giving vehicles in the United States and one CFI has offered to its donors since 2011.

“CFI is still relatively young as an organization and needs to grow,” Bill said. “I would encourage anyone within earshot that is looking for a philanthropic way of doing things to consider CFI as a very good place to start. Donor advised funds help your money grow.”

HEALING ISLAND’S HEART

The couple made additional lead gifts recently to other island nonprofits, including a $500,000 matching gift challenge grant to repair the Sanibel Community House.

“If the Sanibel Lighthouse is the physical symbol of the soul of the island, then the Community House is its beating heart,” Bill said.

Bill, who is from California, spent almost 30 years in the U.S. Army, primarily in public affairs and instructing at the Army War College. Laurie was a medical social worker, originally from Akron. They traveled extensively for his job.

Now fulltime Sanibel residents, they volunteer with CROW, Ding Darling, Sanibel Captiva Rotary Club, and other wildlife, environmental, education and veteran affairs causes. The Harkeys were recently named the 2023 Volunteers of the Year by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce.

At one time they planned to set up their own foundation, then found out about DAFs and realized they require far less maintenance on the donors’ part.

“You don’t need to start with a big sum,” Bill says. “You can let it grow with CFI (or the organization managing it) and recommend grants to the nonprofits you want to support. We let the people who do this for a living handle it. It’s a no brainer and it’s so easy.” A donor advised fund can be established with CFI for a minimum of $25,000.

For information on donor advised funds, visit mycfi.org or contact Dolly Farrell at dfarrell@sancapcfi.org or 239-322-3818.

LEADERSHIP

CFI hires first executive director at just the right time

CFI’s first executive director, Dolly Farrell, arrived at just the right time: Her first day on the job was Oct. 3, just days after Hurricane Ian.

A leading fundraiser for Florida Gulf Coast University for almost nine years, Farrell proved the best candidate of a months-long search. She is a long-time Fort Myers resident who has developed strong relationships throughout the region, both in the nonprofit and private sectors. She earned her Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University.

See full story here.

“As it has for so many of us, the pandemic has taught me how to pivot. Nothing could totally prepare you for navigating the aftermath of this type of devastation or destruction, but we’ve all learned valuable life lessons about adapting that can be applied here.”

Dolly Farrell, CFI Executive Director

Expo brings together volunteers, island nonprofits in need of help

The Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo attracted 300-plus people to Sanibel’s BIG ARTS on March 30.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI), in partnership with its Class of 2022 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program, sponsored the event to connect those interested in making a difference with more than 15 local nonprofits and community organizations.

Organization representatives offered information about their activities, distributed literature and signed up volunteers.

Participants received copies of the Sanibel-Captiva Nonprofit Directory, which can be viewed here.

Speakers included Sanibel’s first Mayor Porter Goss and his son, Chauncey, as well as David Mintz, Captiva Community Panel Vice President and Chair of Governmental affairs.

Representatives of island organizations participated in the volunteer expo.

“As we work to rebuild our community, our nonprofits and community organizations will play a critical role. They will need help now more than ever. This event is the start to identifying the next generation of leaders to help us accomplish that.”

-Chip Roach, (right) CFI board chair and event master of ceremonies

“Nothing could be more energizing to me after everything we have gone through collectively since Hurricane Ian than to see the spirit of the people in the nonprofits, the volunteers and the people doing the hard work in rebuilding.”

-Porter Goss, former Sanibel mayor and event speaker (pictured at right with David Mintz and Chauncey Goss)

See the video and directory at MyCFI.org

CFI launches much-needed Nonprofit Directory reference guide

An added benefit of the Get Inspired! Volunteer expo was the creation of a directory containing information about the Sanibel-Captiva nonprofit organizations. Sponsored by the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, the directory includes contact information, mission statements, programs, volunteer opportunities and social media links.

Access it here.

Jane Majeski, center, a member of the 2022 leadership class, pitches in at Ding Darling with other volunteers.

Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program sparks

community engagement

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ (CFI) 2022 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program was ideally timed.

A survey of island nonprofits revealed concern that key leaders were retiring and finding new board members to replace them was becoming challenging. The program was geared to help create that next generation of leaders.

The 11-member class explored the islands’ government, environment, business and prosperity, social services, arts and culture.

Six months after the inaugural 6-day session, Hurricane Ian caused unprecedented damage and the new skills of the leadership class are being put to use as businesses, nonprofits and individuals work to rebuild.

Read full story here.

“The information and access participants receive through this program is the kind of thing you can’t buy. You bring forward all the leaders of the community to teach you about the community in a short period.”

-Ralph Clark, former CFI board member and program organizer

Ralph Clark and Donna Gillroy were among the leadership class organizers.

What 2022 class members thought

“I learned how the island and county administration work together and made connections with people I wouldn’t necessarily have met. It was cool to have the opportunity to know people who are either new to the island or have been around and have unique perspectives.”

“It would have taken me years and years to learn about these organizations the way we did in six days. It was a unique opportunity to hear directly from the leaders of these organizations, to see their passion and dedication to the mission and for the islands.”

“I have a much better understanding of the organizations and the history of the founding fathers, the challenges they had to set up things the way they did in a sustainable fashion. It’s what’s made Sanibel what it is for all these years.”

-Calli Johnson, fourth-generation member of the family that owns Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel and the Island Store on Captiva

-Jane Majeski, class member, Chair of the 2023 leadership planning committee

-Bob Wiesemann, Captiva resident and planning committee member for next leadership class

Leadership program returns in 2024

Although Hurricane Ian scuttled plans to conduct a leadership class in 2023, the inaugural class remains hard at work crafting a program for 2024. Meanwhile, the volunteer expo held this year resulted in bringing more volunteers and organizations together at a time when it was greatly needed.

Leadership Class of 2022 members, from left: Susan Ryckman, John Silvia, Jim Brady, Elizabeth Piersol, Jane Majeski, Ralph Clark (program organizer) and Bob Wiesemann.

COLLABORATION

Leaders of island nonprofits explore ways to collaborate

Executive directors of a dozen island nonprofits convened on Captiva on Sept. 20, 2022 to discuss ways to better collaborate.

Lisa Riordan, CFI Board Secretary and Chair of the Nonprofit Education Committee, was the event’s master organizer, and longtime Sanibel resident and consultant Josef Reum, PhD, served as facilitator.

Prior to the September event, Mr. Reum distributed questions and interviewed 18 leaders, crafting a report of themes that appeared in the responses. The participants representing the island nonprofit organizations received copies of the report prior to the gathering. The result was an open and thoughtful exchange of ideas with many examples of possible collaborations among the organizations.

Their respective board chairs gathered again on April 13, 2023 to complete the high-level brainstorming on how the nonprofit sector could work together more strategically. CFI will continue to engage the nonprofits’ leadership teams through the fall with a series of workshops and educational programs.

CFI helps island partners step up to uniform volunteer management program

Island nonprofits and those who seek to volunteer at them may soon find it easier to pair up as organizations implement the POINT Volunteer Platform.

Sanibel and Captiva nonprofit organizations that partner with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) may apply for a grant that would allow them to implement this easy-to-use system at a time when the groups badly need volunteers.

A $10,000 grant from the Lake Michigan Credit Union has made the grants possible. Other organizations may be eligible for grants if there is funding remaining.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is using the platform and brought the idea to the other nonprofits. SCCF Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal says both staff and volunteers find it easy to use and it enables them to see opportunities in every department.

Leaders of F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva plan to integrate the POINT platform into their operations so volunteers are able to find opportunities in a timelier manner.

*“We are delighted to be a part of the recovery of our islands in this way,” said Matt Cook, Vice President of Community Relations at Lake Michigan Credit Union. “Some of our staff are residents or frequent visitors to Sanibel and Captiva and look forward to their own volunteer opportunities to help get the Islands back to what they once were.”

View the platform at POINT: All-in-one Volunteer Management Platform and App

“CFI is grateful to Lake Michigan Credit Union for this grant, which will benefit the islands’ nonprofits. There are many advantages for the nonprofits to use the same platform, including ease of use for volunteers as well as cross-marketing for one another’s volunteer needs.”

-Dolly Farrell, CFI Executive Director

Look for these organizations on POINT