Overview
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) has launched a Community Impact Fund to provide long-term, sustainable funding for our community’s greatest challenges and future needs.
This pooled charitable fund will bridge funding gaps by investing in nonprofit innovation, capacity building, emerging needs, and emergency relief efforts. Managed by CFI, it invites contributions from donors who believe in the power of collective impact and strategic grantmaking.
Pictured following the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ Community Impact Fund event are representatives from several grant partner organizations. Back row (from left): Christine Hungeling, Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI); Bill McDowell, Dean, Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, Florida Gulf Coast University; Sue Van Oss, Communications Manager, Saint Michael and All Angels Church; Paula Friedman, Committee Member, Sanibel Art Hop; and Mark Bole, FGCU AIN Hub for Innovation and Design.
Front row (from left): Andrea Miller, Sanibel Recreation Center; Bana Kiankhooy, Board President, Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI); Arlene Mowry, Board Member, Community Housing & Resources (CHR); Dolly Farrell, Executive Director, Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI); Maria Espinoza, Executive Director, FISH of SanCap; Denise Dillon, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Sanibel Recreation Center; and Bob Moore, President, SanCap Resilience.
Inspired by founder Francis Bailey’s Good Neighbor Fund established 25 years ago, the Community Impact Fund continues his legacy of Islanders lending a helping hand to one another. In its inaugural year, 11 founding donors contributed $218,000, demonstrating the power of collective philanthropy across Sanibel and Captiva.
This spring, the fund awarded $126,000 in grants supporting ten initiatives focused on community resiliency, positive aging, and nonprofit capacity building.
In addition, $50,000 has been designated to establish an evergreen Disaster Reserve, ensuring resources are available when our community needs them most. Our goal is to grow the reserve to $250,000 by hurricane season.
We are now accepting community inquiries for the next round of grants. Ideas addressing unmet needs or projects aligned with the fund’s priorities are welcome. Approximately $42,000 remains available for grantmaking this year, and we would value your input. Here is the link to the inquiry form: CFI Community Impact Fund Form
View the photo gallery of the event here:
2026 Community impact fund donors