Directory of Sanibel-Captiva Nonprofits

These island-based organizations make the Sanibel-Captiva community 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

Website: shellmuseum.org | Facebook: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
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


BIG ARTS
900 Dunlop Road
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 395-0900

Lee Ellen Harder, Executive Director

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


Captiva Civic Association (CCA)
11550 Chapin Lane
PO Box 778

Captiva, FL 33924
(239) 472-2111

Emily Ankerson, Executive Director

Website: ccacaptiva.org | Facebook: Captiva Civic Association
Info: info@ccacaptiva.org
Mission: Preservation of the quality of life, ambiance and environmental integrity of this unique barrier island community.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Emily Ankerson


Captiva Community Panel
PO Box 72
Captiva, FL 33924

Ken Gooderham, Administrator

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


Captiva Island Historical Society
PO Box 163
Captiva, FL 33924

Tom Libonate, President

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

Website: Mycfi.org | Facebook: Charitable Foundation of the Islands
Mission: To identify community needs and collaborate with Sanibel and Captiva organizations to affect 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
Info: info@sancapcfi.org


Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI)
350 Casa Ybel Road
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-4538

Michelle Keltner, Executive Director

Website: childrenseducationcenter.com | Facebook: Children’s Education Center of the Islands
Mission: Fostering Wonder, Creativity, and Environmental Stewardship: Our nature-based 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

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)
800 Casa Ybel Rd. Unit 7
Sanibel, FL. 33957
(239) 472-1189

Nicole Decker-McHale, Executive Director

Website: sanibelchr.org | Facebook: Community Housing and Resources – CHR
Mission: 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.

  • Community Housing and Resources, Inc. (CHR) formed in 1979 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to address the growing need for affordable housing in the Sanibel and Captiva area. CHR also serves as the City of Sanibel’s housing foundation under the Affordable Housing Program established in 1983.

    Today, CHR owns 76 affordable housing units at various locations, including 67 rental properties — one of which is a 12-unit complex for senior residents — and 9 Limited Equity Ownership (LEO) homes through the Coast and Islands Community Land Trust.

    Who CHR serves: CHR provides safe, affordable, quality housing for families and individuals who work in and serve our island communities. To be eligible for CHR housing, household members must either:

    • Work full time on Sanibel or Captiva

    • Be retired or disabled longtime

    • Residents of Sanibel or Captiva

  • Sanibel's economy depends on the thousands of people who provide services through island retail and other businesses.

    Living on the island removes the stress and high cost of a long daily commute.

    Workers who live on the island can be available at short notice.

    Social and economic diversity is a priority for Sanibel and a part of The Sanibel Plan.

    We all benefit when our island work force lives in the community and participates in schools, churches and community events.

    No one should have to leave a familiar community because of age, disability or lack of finances .

    CHR is a hand up! It provides an affordable home for over 150 island residents in eleven rental complexes and 14 limited-equity ownership homes throughout the island.


J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Drive
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-1100 ext. 222

Toni Westland
(239) 239-1100 ext. 9

Website: fws.gov/dingdarling | Facebook: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Mission: 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
(239) 789-8991

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” 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

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.

Four primary programs:

  • 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

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: conservation, 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

Website: sanibelseaschool.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

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 nonprofits
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

Mark Harmon, Executive Director

Website: sanibelmuseum.org | Facebook: Sanibel Historical Museum & Village Inc.
Mission: 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

Kate Shaffer
(812) 239-9392

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. 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

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

 

Trailways Camps, Inc.
P.O. Box 324
Sanibel, FL 33957
(941) 564-9861

Jamie Senkeleski, Camp Director

Website: trailwayscamps.org | Facebook: Trailways Camp
Mission: Enabling adults with special needs, and those who care for them, to grow their social, emotional and spiritual relationships.
Program: 4 day and 3 night camp experience for adults with special needs (must be at least 18 years old); Fun Days, and Camper Reunion
Volunteer Opportunities: Contact Jamie Senkeleski or visit the website trailwayscamps.org for updated opportunities that include:

  • Activity Assistants - help campers complete activities or help lead an activity

  • Background Supporters - set up crafts, meal prep/servers, and camp set-up, take-down & organizing.

    Camper Buddy - assist leading campers to and from all activities, ensuring inclusion and providing counselor support

    I Am Special Camper Reunion - assist with planning, decorating, and set-up for annual event

Info: trailwayscamps@gmail.com