CFI Hosts Generosity Breakfast on November 18th
/SANIBEL, Fla. (November 18, 2025) — The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) hosted its inaugural Generosity Breakfast at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, bringing together more than 175 island residents, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to celebrate National Philanthropy Day and honor those who embody the true spirit of giving through their time, talent, and treasure.
Hosted by the CFI Board of Directors, the breakfast was a heartfelt celebration of the people and organizations who make Sanibel and Captiva such special places to live and serve. The program featured welcoming remarks from Lisa Riordan, Board Chair, and Dolly Farrell, Executive Director, along with a community reflection from Chip Roach, Immediate Past Chair, highlighting the continued strength and generosity of the islands.
Honoring the Generosity Champions
The highlight of the morning was the presentation of the Generosity Champion Awards, honoring those whose philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration have made a lasting difference across the islands. The entire CFI Board of Directors participated in presenting the awards and recognizing the following honorees:
Following the awards presentation, the honorees joined a Generosity Champions Panel, moderated by CFI Board Members Rachel Pierce and Eric Pfeifer, who led an inspiring discussion on how giving back—through leadership, service, and philanthropy—has shaped their personal stories and strengthened the fabric of the island community.
“Generosity takes many forms,” said CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell. “Some give their time, others share their talent, and many contribute their treasure—but all are essential to the continued recovery and vitality of our islands.”
A Celebration of Collaboration
CFI expressed heartfelt appreciation to its Exclusive Presenting Sponsor, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, for making the event possible.
“Sanibel and Captiva have always been defined by generosity and by the way our community shows up for each other. We’re proud to support the Generosity Breakfast and partner with CFI as we honor the individuals, businesses, and nonprofits who are building a stronger future for our islands,” said Kyle DeCicco, President & CEO of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
Additional gratitude was shared for Sundial Beach Resort & Spa (Venue Partner), Rachel Pierce Art Gallery (Awards Artwork & Design), Odessa Gallery and Ilie Ruby (Giving Tree Ornaments), Sanibel Carts (Transportation Partner), and the Sanibel Captiva Rotary Club for volunteer support.
The Foundation also thanked the many table sponsors whose generosity brought the morning to life, including Florida Trust Wealth Management, Florida Gulf Coast University’s AIN Design & Technology Hub, Chip and Nancy Roach, Shell Point Retirement Community, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, the Rist Family Foundation, and Bob and Kathy Wiesemann.
“Events like this remind us how much can be achieved when we share our time, our talent, and our treasure,” said Dolly Farrell, CFI Executive Director. “That generosity is the heartbeat of Sanibel and Captiva—it’s what keeps our islands strong.”
The event recording is available at www.MyCFI.org.
Looking Ahead
The Generosity Breakfast also previewed CFI’s upcoming initiatives, including the 100+ Women Who Care informational gathering on December 2, 2025, and the Volunteer Expo & Directory on January 28, 2026, at the Sanibel Community House—where more than 50 nonprofits will be represented and $8,000 in mini-grants will be awarded thanks to Lake Michigan Credit Union.
To learn more about CFI or to get involved, visit www.mycfi.org or contact info@sancapcfi.org.
