Charitable Foundation of the Islands Welcomes Back Melissa Congress to Board of Directors

Sanibel, Fla. — [March 25, 2026] — The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce that Melissa Congress has rejoined its Board of Directors, bringing with her decades of community leadership, philanthropic involvement, and a deep commitment to the Sanibel and Captiva community.

Congress has been a Sanibel resident since 1989 and a respected community leader whose service spans education, health, environment, arts, and social services. She and her husband are longtime owners of Congress Jewelers, a well-known Sanibel business for more than 30 years, during which time they consistently supported local nonprofits and community initiatives.

Throughout her years of service, Congress has held leadership and volunteer roles with numerous island organizations, including FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, BIG ARTS, The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), the Sanibel Community Association, and the Sanibel School PTA. She also currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) and was a founding member of Sanibel-Captiva Cares, supporting Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Congress previously served on the CFI Board of Directors and held the role of Vice Chair, contributing to the Foundation’s growth and advancing its mission to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration throughout the islands.

“Melissa’s return to the board brings invaluable institutional knowledge, a strong philanthropic lens, and a lifelong dedication to this community,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. “We are grateful for her continued leadership and look forward to the perspective and experience she brings as CFI continues to evolve.”

“I am honored to rejoin the Charitable Foundation of the Islands and to continue supporting the organizations and people that make Sanibel and Captiva such a special place,” Congress said. “CFI plays a vital role in strengthening our nonprofit community, and I’m excited to be part of its work moving forward.”

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is a public grantmaking charity dedicated to inspiring philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to enhance the vitality of the Sanibel and Captiva community.

About Charitable Foundation of the Islands: (MyCFI.org) The mission of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community. CFI has served the Sanibel and Captiva communities since the 1990s through the Francis Bailey Society and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011.