April 18, 2024 (SANIBEL ISLAND, FL )-- Ken Washuta of Sanibel, one of 13 members of the Leadership Sanibel Captiva Class of 2024, will lead the team that will design the program for the Class of 2025. He also has been elected to serve a one-year term on the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ (CFI) board as the Chair of the Leadership Sanibel Captiva Program
Read MoreBrian Rist is the former executive chairman of The Smart Companies, of which Storm Smart is the largest subsidiary. After 26 years of growing Storm Smart into the largest U.S. manufacturer of storm protection products, he now focuses on philanthropy with his wife and is the chairman of the Rist Family Foundation.
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R.T. Rybak brings Minneapolis Foundation perspective, expertise to Islands’ renewal
CFI hosts Community Conversation on March 11th
CFI Leadership Programs Concluded With Arts & Culture
A Heartfelt Thank You to Tony Lapi and Tween Waters for Their Generosity
Featured Slideshows
Press & Media Coverage
I was fortunate enough to be part of the CFI Leadership class of 2024, and I had no idea prior to the program how fortunate indeed I was. Before going into any detail I do want to commend CFI for its foresight in creating the Leadership Program. While in times of relative calm, it is a good idea; in times such as post Ian, it is a great idea.
Read MoreAs our program draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve embarked upon together. These past few months have been nothing short of enlightening, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this exceptional group. Our class has delved into the heart of Sanibel and Captiva, unearthing hidden gems and peeling back the many layers of our community. As someone who grew up on Sanibel island, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge and I think many will see the value in this program and how special it is!
Read MoreThe desire to restore Sanibel and Captiva islands to their former splendor remains strong some 18 months into recovery from devastating Hurricane Ian.
Realizing that a fresh perspective can inject energy and possibilities into the process, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, led by CFI’s Economic Revitalization Committee, recently welcomed R.T. Rybak and his wife, Meagan, for two in-depth conversations with island leaders on Tuesday, Feb. 26, about what comes next. The visit is the culmination of several meetings that began last year arranged by Minneapolis and Sanibel resident and CFI Board member Susan “Sam” Boren King.
Read MoreIsland hospitality businesses have benefited from more than $1 million in grants in the past year from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Hospitality Cares Fund. SanCap Chamber CEO John Lai recently announced this milestone at the January 29th State of the Islands Breakfast.
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Happy Valentine’s Day from the Charitable Foundation of the Islands!
CFI Hosts First Donor Appreciation Reception
Donor Appreciation Reception Slideshow and Photo Gallery
CFI honors leadership donors with Francis Bailey Society membership
Love Your Neighbors by Opening a Donor-Advised Fund with CFI
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CFI’s Leadership Class of 2024 Off to an Enthusiastic Start
Charitable Foundation of the Islands Announces Changes to Leadership
Kim Kouril Joins CFI - New Director of Operations
CFI Grant Yields 10 Times its Value in Matter of Months
CFI Year In Review
The 2024 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program kicked off January 18 with an upbeat and informative session during which this year’s class members were welcomed and special guests Porter and Chauncey Goss offered insightful information about the islands.
This is the second class of its kind sponsored by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI). The inaugural group participated in 2022, but Hurricane Ian caused a one-year hiatus.
Read MoreThe Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) doubled its full-time staff in January with the hiring of Kimberly Kouril as director of operations.
Kouril was hired after an extensive search and will work closely with Dolly Farrell, who joined CFI as its inaugural executive director in October 2022. The need for additional staff resulted from CFI’s increasing involvement with the islands’ economic revitalization since Hurricane Ian, ongoing work with island nonprofit organizations and resulting growing administrative needs.
Read MoreThe Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) will see several changes in 2024 as the Board’s Executive Committee transitions to a new slate of officers, including Chip Roach (Board Chair), Lisa Riordan (Board Vice Chair and Chair-Elect), John Morse (Secretary), and Doug Congress (Treasurer).
Read MoreThe City of Sanibel's 50th Anniversary Program will help restore our island economy through events, lectures, and special celebrations from November 2024 through December 2025. Be a part of this special year of remembering our past, celebrating our present, and preparing for our future.
Read MoreSanibel, FL – January 1, 2024 –The Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Planning Committee is honored and excited to present the Class of 2024.
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) created the program to prepare and encourage the next generation of leaders and volunteers. The inaugural 2022 class was a resounding success, but Hurricane Ian caused a one-year delay for the second class. Nonetheless, the 2024 class features 13 stellar individuals committed to improving the quality of life in our community. Members of the inaugural class served on the planning committee and helped select the 2024 participants.
Read MoreTopics:
Greetings and Gratitude from CFI
Holiday Wishes from SanCap Nonprofits
Announcing business climate study for Sanibel and Captiva Islands
CFI Invests in Nonprofit Partners’ Grant Research
A Christmas Mouse
Charitable Foundation of the Islands welcomes Chauncey Goss to board
Happiness and Year-End Giving Strategies
CFI is Hiring a Director of Operations
The Director of Operations will be the second full-time staff member for this growing and maturing organization, reporting directly to the Executive Director. He/she is responsible for organizing and overseeing the daily operations of CFI for future growth and long-term success. The Director of Operations plays a critical role in supporting the Executive Director and helping the CFI Board of Directors and respective committees run smoothly and efficiently.
Read MoreIt’s an age-old adage, ‘money doesn’t buy happiness, but it sure helps.’ That sentiment certainly has special meaning this year.
Many studies confirm that donating time and service to others leads to greater happiness. Individuals who spent their money on other people, or gave gifts to others, are often happier than those who spent money on themselves.
Read MoreThe Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chauncey Goss to the Board beginning January 2024. Goss grew up on Sanibel, raised his sons there and lives there with his wife, Allison.
He is the managing partner of Goss Practical Solutions, a firm he founded that provides federal fiscal policy analysis and budget forecasting to its clients. Goss previously worked on Capitol Hill, serving as Deputy Staff Director and Director of Budget Review for the House Budget Committee. He also worked for the Executive Office of the President in the Office of Management and Budget's National Security Division, and as a contracted strategic planner for the Air Force, Navy and intelligence community. He received a B.A. from Rollins College and a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that the economic health of Sanibel and Captiva islands relies on the hotels and other vacation accommodations, the majority of which were devastated by Hurricane Ian. Helping this vital industry recover requires a mighty effort by those who care about these unique islands.
The SanCap Chamber of Commerce and Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) have worked more closely than ever over the past year to restore and revitalize the accommodation industry while also supporting businesses currently open and assisting those in the process of reopening.
Read MoreCompetition for grant money has never been fiercer, which means nonprofits have to be in top form to successfully attract them. That’s difficult for smaller organizations, a problem Sanibel and Captiva groups brought to the attention of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI).
CFI’s Grants Committee determined that assisting these organizations in improving their grant research and writing would be a smart investment as they navigate post-hurricane recovery and rebuild.
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