Small Business Education & Support
AI Workshops: Four Part Series Summer 2026
Thanks to support from the Charitable Foundation of the Islands' (CFI) Community Impact Fund, local businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community organizations are invited to attend "Market Smarter with AI," a free, hands-on workshop presented by the Florida Gulf Coast University AIN Hub Design & Technology Team and powered by CFI.
The AI Marketing Workshop is part of CFI's four-part AI Education Series, made possible through the Community Impact Fund. The fund was created to provide long-term, sustainable support for innovative community initiatives, nonprofit capacity building, leadership development, and emerging community needs.
Free Business Consulting
Through the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ vision and seed support, the Florida SBDC at FGCU now brings free, confidential consulting to Sanibel every second Friday. CFI recognized that healthy, resilient small businesses are essential to the islands’ long-term recovery, so it partnered with the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce to underwrite space, outreach, and scholarships for entrepreneurs. Since the launch on June 13, dozens of owners—from Rachel Pierce Gallery to Adventures in Paradise Outfitters—have tapped SBDC expert Suzanne Specht for guidance on financing, strategy, and growth. CFI’s investment is empowering local companies to survive, compete, and flourish close to home each day.
2025
Business Resource Fair
Business Resource Fair Idea Comes to Life with CFI’s Guidance and Financial Support. This first event hosted by the Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce on September 3rd was held to help businesses improve resiliency.
Small Business Grants are a Lifeline to Local Owners
As of August 2025, 41 independently owned island businesses have benefited from $215,000 distributed from the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund, providing critical grants of up to $5,000 to help them recover and rebuild following Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton.
Fifteen more businesses are in the pipeline for the small business support program. Thanks to our generous donors, we exceeded the $125,000 matching gift challenge and raised a total of $266,000.
Our community partners make this possible. Thanks to FISH of SanCap for administering the program. The Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce also allocated staff to assist businesses with the applications.