SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA – April 12, 2023 – The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce will soon hire a member services manager, a critical position in helping the Chamber support businesses as they rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Ian last September.
Read MoreThank you to all who attended and who helped to make the event a success! And a special thank you to Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2022 members Bob Wiesemann, Annie Campbell, Jim Brady, Susan Ryckman, Jane Majeski (Chair), and Elizabeth Piersol! (Not pictured: Calli Johnson, Ger Ronan, John Silvia, Mike Wood and Joey Almedia.)
Read MoreFree “feather” signs are now available to businesses that are open.
Read MoreReserve your spot for our March 30th Volunteer Expo! Learn ways that you can get involved with our Islands’ recovery.
Read MoreIt’s been a busy winter at CFI! Please check our our February newsletter for more information.
Read MoreWe are so grateful to be the recipient of these funds. A special thank you to Congress Jewelers for their generosity.
Read MoreLeadership and philanthropy making a difference on Sanibel and Captiva.
Read MoreThe 2022 Leadership Sanibel Captiva Program was more valuable than anyone could have imagined.
Read MoreDistribution of Nonprofit Employee Assistant grants has begun.
Read MoreCFI donor generosity on full display
Read MoreIn the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands announced a program that will serve to support Sanibel and Captiva nonprofits and their employees.
Read MoreDolly Farrell, Executive Director
Read MoreDec. 2, 2021—Sanibel, FL – As a result of an extensive strategic planning process, the board of directors of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) realigned its direction and established a vision and mission that reflects community need and avoids duplication of philanthropic dollars and programs. The CFI mission is to identify community needs and collaborative opportunities that empower organizations to affect real change; support those in need and build and distribute resources that advance the vitality and health of the Sanibel-Captiva community.
Begun initial as the Francis Bailey Society, the formal Foundation entity was established in 2011 under the leadership of Al Hanser, Founder and Chairman of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company. Today, through research and analysis, the Foundation is identifying those areas of greatest unmet need and harnessing the strength of our nonprofits with the capacity of our philanthropic partners to create real solutions. The three key projects are Leadership Sanibel-Captiva, various initiatives surrounding elder loneliness and caregiver support and the CFI Nonprofit Education Program.
The first program, Leadership Sanibel-Captiva will launch January 11, 2022. The program objectives are to encourage the next generation of service leaders to continue to protect and grow the extraordinary community spirit and smart leadership that strives to protect and grow the quality of life on our islands for all. Ralph Clark, Chairman of the 2022 Leadership program, commented, “One of the greatest gifts the Foundation can give is to foster the next generation of committed volunteer leaders who will love and care for our community as many before have done.”
The CFI Nonprofit Education initiative will be a summer program devoted to nonprofits to provide information and expertise on efficient and effective best practices organizational management.
Finally, the elder care and caregiver initiative groundwork is just being laid to collaborate with island nonprofits and the faith community to identify and solve the unmet needs of seniors in our community.
“The process of arriving at our core mission and scope of services was a result of listening to the voices of our community in advising us as to the areas of need. We are excited to work with our philanthropic partners to help realize all three of these important initiatives, “said Chip Roach, Co-chair of CFI. “Working hand-in-hand with the nonprofits in our community to help better understand their needs has been invaluable,” said Ginny Stringer, Co-Chair of CFI.
For more information email info@mycfi.org, or visit the Foundation website at www.mycfi.org
Ralph Clark
Ginny Stringer
Chip Roach
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of John Morse to the Board. John and his wife Kay have been year-round residents of Sanibel since January 2005. John graduated from Wichita State University in 1972 and received his J.D. degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1975.
As of January 1st, of this year, John fully retired as a corporate attorney, having spent ten years in private practice in Wichita, and the past 35 years as Senior Vice President and General Counsel (and a partner) of LodgeWorks Partners, L.P. (and its predecessors), a national hotel development and management company with corporate offices in Wichita. Upon his retirement, John was named Senior Vice President & General Counsel Emeritus.
John is serving in his tenth year on the Board of Directors of F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc., having served two years as Board Chair. John is the current Board Chair of the F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Foundation, Inc. He has also served two terms as President of the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands and continues to serve on its Board. John recently retired from the volunteer position of Secretary and General Counsel for USA Swimming, Inc., the national governing body for swimming and USOC member.
He served as the Board Chair of the Wichita State University Foundation for two years and was a member of its Board of Directors for 28 years. John continues to serve on its National Advisory Council.
John and Kay are Life Members of SCCF and were sea turtle volunteers for 12 years. John served five years on the SCCF Board of Trustees, with one term as President and two separate terms as Vice President. He continues to serve on the Finance Committee.
“John’s legal expertise along with his commitment to strengthen the Sanibel-Captiva community will be a welcome addition to the CFI board”, said, Virginia Stringer Co-chair of the CFI Board.
Chip Roach, Co-chair of the CFI Board added, “John’s passion for the Sanibel-Captiva community is evident in his support of critical organizations within the community. We are thrilled to welcome him to the CFI board.”
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Doug Congress to the Board. Doug has over 30 years of experience working as an executive officer and owner of several businesses. His extensive background includes business operations, finance, administration, and public accounting.
He began his career with Deloitte & Touche, one of the top accounting firms in the country. He went on to build several businesses and currently owns and manages businesses in the finance, mortgage and retail sectors. He holds a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Florida.
Additionally, Doug has served on the Sanibel School Foundation Board, President and Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel, former Chairman of the Board of the Bonita Springs Chamber and former Vice-Mayor of the Sanibel Island City Council.
“We are delighted to have Doug join us as a new member of the CFI board. He has been an essential part of the Sanibel and Captiva community and his involvement will assist the board in meeting their long-term goals, said Virginia Stringer Co-chair of the CFI Board.
“Doug’s successful business acumen will help strengthen the mission and goals of CFI and move us into a viable position to serve the community we all care about”, said Chip Roach, Co-chair of the CFI Board.
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Tom Libonate to the Board. Tom and his wife Merni are residents of Captiva. He has been a member of the Captiva Island Historical Society since 2015, and for the past four years has served as President of its Board of Directors.
Tom also serves as a Trustee for the Board of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, chairing the Communication and Marketing Committee. In March 2021 he was installed as a Board member of the Captiva Island Yacht Club. Prior to his retirement in 2010, Tom was Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of Ryan Partnership, headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut.
Since co-founding the company in 1984, Tom spearheaded the creation of one of the premiere marketing agencies in North America, specializing in promotional, direct and internet marketing; creative and website design; and retailer marketing
From two people in 1984 to just over 625 people in 2010, with 6 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada and with gross revenue more than $250 million, Ryan Partnership, until it’s acquisition in 2011 was the largest independently owned marketing agency in North America.
In addition to his Board work with the Captiva Island Historical Society, Tom has served as Chair of the Roselle Catholic High School Consultative Board (Roselle, NJ), served on the Educational and Faculty Affairs Committee of Monmouth University (West Long Branch, NJ) and the Westport Arts Center Board of Directors (Westport, CT).
“The CFI board is privileged to welcome Tom. He will play an integral role as we prioritize, plan and execute key initiatives in the coming year”, said Virginia Stringer Co-chair of the CFI Board.
“Tom has been an avid supporter of the Sanibel-Captiva community for years and we look forward to his participation on the board as CFI explores more opportunities to improve the lives of residents”, said Chip Roach, Co-chair of the CFI Board.
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Riordan to the Board. Riordan first visited Captiva more than 40 years ago and has been a Captiva resident since 2012. After vacationing on Captiva for several years, she and her husband David expanded their time there after retirement.
A New York native, Riordan spent many years in the communications industry before beginning her 25-year career in labor representation. She directed and managed the New York staff for a major labor union and negotiated and administered collective bargaining agreements with large public and private sector employers and municipalities.
Since her retirement in 2012, Riordan has devoted her time getting involved in the Captiva community. In 2015 she was invited to join the Captiva Memorial Library Board of Trustees and has served as the President for the last three years. In 2015 she was invited to join the Board of Governors of the Captiva Civic Association and served as the President for three years before currently serving as Treasurer. She was appointed to the Captiva Civic Association Foundation Board of Governors, the fund-raising vehicle of the Civic Association, in 2017 and continues to serve there as President.
Riordan has two adult daughters, and seven grandchildren, all of whom reside out of state. When she is not busy with her community activities, Lisa enjoys boating, travelling, reading and spending time with friends.
“Having someone who loves the Captiva community as much as Lisa does is critical to our success. We could not be more delighted to have her on the CFI Board”, said Virginia Stringer Co-chair of the CFI Board.
“The Captiva community is so fortunate to have talented and committed members like Lis Riordan. She will ensure that Captiva continues to pursue and develop the best resources and programs for its residents, said Chip Roach, Co-chair of the CFI Board.
