Sanibel Nonprofit Leaders Learn New Board Recruitment Strategies

More than 30 nonprofit leaders gather to learn practical strategies for recruiting stronger, more engaged boards.

Susan S. Boren and Cleve Justis

Sanibel, Fla. — [February 20, 2026] — More than 30 nonprofit leaders from across Sanibel and Captiva gathered Friday at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS® for a working lunch and leadership session with Cleveland Justis, CEO and Founder of Potrero Group, to explore new strategies for recruiting and strengthening nonprofit boards. The session, hosted by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI), centered on insights from the nationally recognized Stanford Social Innovation Review article “How Nonprofits Can Recruit Better Board Members,” co-authored by Justis and Susan S. Boren, a Sanibel resident and CFI board member. Grounded in Justis’s and Boren’s nonprofit leadership and consulting experience, the article was recognized as one of the most downloaded pieces published by the journal in the past year. Nonprofit leaders on the islands, like many across the country, face growing demands for strategic leadership, community engagement, and long-term planning. Justis said many boards continue to rely heavily on personal networks to recruit new members, which can limit access to fresh perspectives and emerging leaders. “Nonprofits today are navigating increasingly complex challenges,” said Justis. “Boards need broader perspectives, stronger engagement, and leaders who bring new skills to the table. Opening the recruitment process helps organizations find people who are deeply aligned with their mission but may never have been asked to serve.” Boren emphasized that modern governance requires intentional recruitment and a willingness to look beyond familiar circles. “An open board search helps organizations connect with talented people who care deeply about their mission,” said Susan S. Boren. “When boards intentionally seek new voices and experiences, they strengthen both their strategy and their long-term impact.”

During the session, Justis outlined practical steps nonprofits can take to conduct an open board search, including building agreement among leadership on board needs, developing a clear position profile, publicly recruiting candidates, using structured interviews to evaluate applicants, and providing thoughtful onboarding to help new members succeed. Participants represented a wide range of island nonprofits, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening leadership capacity across the community.

The discussion also highlighted how stronger governance can help organizations remain resilient and effective during times of change. “Strong boards are essential to strong nonprofits,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. “We were proud to bring this conversation to the islands and give our nonprofit leaders practical tools they can use right away.”

CFI regularly convenes nonprofit leaders, funders, and community partners to share best practices and strengthen collaboration across Sanibel and Captiva. Friday’s session was part of that ongoing effort to support a thriving nonprofit sector serving island residents and visitors alike.

About the Charitable Foundation of the Islands The Charitable Foundation of the Islands connects people who care with causes that matter, strengthening the Sanibel and Captiva community through philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration. Visit MyCFI.org for more information.