CFI Highlights Community Impact Fund Progress and Announces Disaster Reserve

Sanibel, FL – On March 2, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) welcomed donors, nonprofit partners, and community members to a special gathering highlighting the early impact of the Community Impact Fund and the projects already underway across Sanibel and Captiva. 

Held at the Sanibel & Captiva Realtors Association, the event brought together community leaders and supporters for coffee, conversation, and updates from nonprofit partners who received Community Impact Fund grants. 

Representatives from several organizations shared how funding is already supporting important programs and initiatives throughout the islands. The projects highlighted align with the Community Impact Fund’s key focus areas of community resiliency, support for older adults, and nonprofit development and capacity building. 

Presentations were given by Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI), Community Housing & Resources (CHR), FGCU AIN Hub for Innovation and Design, FISH of SanCap, Saint Michael and All Angels Church, the Sanibel Art Hop initiative, the Sanibel Recreation Center, the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, and SanCap Resilience, each sharing how the grants are helping strengthen programs and services that benefit the island community. 

In addition to hearing project updates, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on community priorities, helping guide future grantmaking decisions. 

CFI also announced the creation of a new Disaster Reserve, an evergreen fund designed to support future emergency response and recovery efforts serving Sanibel and Captiva residents. The reserve has been seeded with $50,000, with a goal of growing the fund to $250,000 by the end of the season to ensure the community is better prepared for future disasters. 

CFI also provided an update on the overall growth of the Community Impact Fund. In its inaugural year, the fund raised more than $218,000, allowing CFI to support a range of local initiatives that strengthen the island community. 

2026 Community Impact Fund Donors

“This gathering was about closing the loop with our donors and community—showing how generosity turns into real, visible impact,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. “We are incredibly grateful to the donors whose generosity made these grants possible. It was also an opportunity to listen, learn, and continue shaping what comes next together.” 

Leadership Class of 2026 suprises United Way board member Tony Lapi with a donation to the annual campaign through the community impact fund.

The Community Impact Fund is designed as a flexible, pooled fund that allows donors of all levels to participate in strategic grantmaking that strengthens the islands both today and in the future. Grants in 2025 support older adults and positive aging thanks to the Shady Rest Foundation, as well as community resiliency and nonprofit development and capacity building. 

To learn more about the grant-funded projects, visit MyCFI.org. If you are interested in learning more about the fund or submitting a grant request, you may do so here: https://form.jotform.com/260183216498158 

CFI extends its gratitude to the nonprofit partners, donors, and community members who participated in the conversation about strengthening the future of Sanibel and Captiva. 

About Charitable Foundation of the Islands 

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 connects donors with causes that strengthen the community and prepares the islands for future challenges through strategic grantmaking, leadership development, and collaboration. 

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.