History of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, Inc. (CFI)
CFI’s VISION
To ensure a vibrant, healthy community where every Sanibel and Captiva resident and employee of Island businesses enjoy a beautiful and productive quality of life.
CFI’S MISSION
As a public grant-making charity, CFI inspires philanthropy, leadership and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community.
1990’s
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) began informally in latter part of the 20th century, when a group of island leaders, led by Francis Bailey, recognized the need for philanthropy on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Mr. Bailey served as the group’s first board chairman and the group was coined the Francis Bailey Society.
Francis Bailey (mysanibelrealestate.com)
2000
The Francis Bailey Society eventually morphed into a Good Neighbor Fund created in 2000 under the aegis of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation (now The Collaboratory). Memberships and event earnings funded grants for individuals and nonprofit organizations on the islands.
2011
In 2011, Al Hanser became the second board chair and a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation was established as the CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS, INC. (CFI). The board commenced a planning process in 2014 and, a year later, broadened the organization’s mission by creating a fund for capacity building grants for island nonprofits.
As a public grantmaking charity, CFI has the authority under the Internal Revenue Code to create and maintain tax-advantaged accounts called “donor advised funds” (DAF). CFI has had DAF accounts since its inception in 2011 and now maintains over $6 million in a dozen or so DAFs. Those accounts donate close to $1 million per year to nonprofits across the country, with a majority staying close to home.
Donor-Advised Funds — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
2012
The Sanctuary Golf Classic tournament began as a fundraiser in 2003. From 2012 thru 2018, the club directed the donations to CFI, whose board members helped to swell the attendance and proceeds to more than $100,000 per year. Grants funded by the event were directed to F.I.S.H. of SanCap and to Community Housing and Resources (CHR) to assist island residents in need. By 2019, those two annual grants had grown to $45,000 and $20,000, respectively. In addition, about $30,000 per year had now become designated for the capacity building grants for island nonprofits. It was a competitive grant program managed by CFI board volunteers.
2018
Chip Roach became board chair in 2018 and initiated a listening project, during which some 20 community leaders were interviewed to identify key needs on the islands. Under his leadership, the structure, policies and relationships with DAF holders and grant recipients have been solidified. In addition, the board grew from nine to 13 members.
Al Hanser was named Chair Emeritus and still serves the CFI Al Hanser Honored — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
2020
The organization developed a leadership program and launched it in 2022, with the goal to provide better-informed residents to become future volunteers and board members for nonprofits.
Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2024 set for deep dive into community — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
After a CFI-hosted symposium of nonprofits, a survey helped focus on other collaboration opportunities and educational needs among the island nonprofits.
2022
On August 20, 2022, CFI hired Dolly Farrell as its first executive director. Her first day of work was delayed a week by Hurricane Ian but it was an excellent time to bring her on board.
2023
CFI has been in the center of nonprofit collaboration efforts since the storm. Since the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program was canceled in 2023, the 2022 alumni hosted the Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo - 2023 Volunteer Expo — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
More than $1.5 million in grants to SWFL nonprofits have been distributed since Hurricane Ian made landfall.
Read more about CFI’s role after Hurricane Ian, visit: 2023 Impact Report — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
2024
CFI hires Kim Kouril as the Director of Operations. The board also welcomes the new Executive Committee leadership, including CFI’s Chair Elect Lisa Riordan who will assume the Board chairmanship in 2025.