Sanibel-Captiva Nonprofit Directory

Directory of Sanibel-Captiva Nonprofits

These island-based organizations make the Sanibel-Captiva community an exceptional place to live.

Website: shellmuseum.org | Facebook: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
Purpose: To use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them and their ecosystems.
Programs: Education and conservation
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Jorden Falker

Website: bigarts.org | Facebook: BIG ARTS – Music, Arts, and Entertainment
Purpose: To provide quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors. Programs include arts and enrichment classes and workshops, lectures and discussions with national thought leaders and educators and high-caliber visual and performing arts.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Wendy Harriman

Website: ccacaptiva.org | Facebook: Captiva Civic Association
Info: Kathryn.Sisson@ccacaptiva.org
Purpose: Preservation of the quality of life, ambiance and environmental integrity of this unique barrier island community.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Kathryn Sisson Kathryn.Sisson@ccacaptiva.org

Website: captivacommunitypanel.com
Purpose: The Captiva Community Panel and other community, civic and business organizations work together with Lee County and other regulatory bodies to protect the fragile and limited resources of our coastal barrier island's planning, land development and natural resources.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Ken Gooderham

Website: CaptivaIslandHistoricalSociety.org | Facebook: Captiva Island Historical Society
Purpose: Committed to gathering, preserving, interpreting and sharing the island’s history.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org
Info: mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org

Website: Mycfi.org | Facebook: Charitable Foundation of the Islands
Purpose: The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is a public grant-making charity serving the Sanibel and Captiva community. CFI's mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to improve the vitality of the Island community. Signature programs include grant and fund management, donor-advised funds, engagement of the nonprofit sector through education and training, as well as identifying the next generation of volunteers through the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Dolly Farrell
Info: info@sancapcfi.org

Website: childrenseducationcenter.com | Facebook: Children’s Education Center of the Islands
Purpose: Fostering Wonder, Creativity, and Environmental Stewardship: Our nature-based preschool is dedicated to nurturing the innate curiosity and creativity of young minds through immersive experiences in the natural world. We believe that children are competent, natural learners and full of potential. Our mission is to provide a nature and play-based learning environment where children are safe to explore and express themselves. We aspire to cultivate a sense of wonder and understanding of our sanctuary island and the natural world, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and respect for the environment.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Michelle Keltner. Some available for youth.
Info: ceciteachers@gmail.com

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. (CROW)
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-3644

Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director

Website: crowclinic.org | Facebook: CROWClinic
Purpose: The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is a teaching hospital and visitor center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact volunteer@crowclinic.org. Some available for youth off property.

Website: fws.gov/dingdarling | Facebook: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Purpose: To protect and preserve the J. N. “Ding” National Darling Wildlife Refuge Complex as a wildlife sanctuary and as a place of beauty, inspiration and natural wonderment for future generations through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Toni Westland. Available for those 18 and older.

Website: dingdarlingsociety.org | Facebook: “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge
Purpose: The society works collaboratively to preserve and protect the J. N. “Ding” National Darling Wildlife Refuge complex.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Ann-Marie Wildman. Available to those 18 and older at nature store, special events and various programs.

Website: fishofsancap.org | Facebook: F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc.
Purpose: To enrich the lives of all people in Sanibel and Captiva islands through neighbors helping neighbors with social services, education and assistance.

Four primary programs:

• Food. We work to ensure that no islander must decide between feeding their family or paying rent, childcare or medical bills by offering a food pantry, meals on wheels, backpack program and holiday assistance.

• Island-based education. We provide educational opportunities at all levels of learning and in all forms to empower people and enhance connectedness. We offer programs for adults, children, and seniors.

• Senior services. FISH volunteers and staff enrich the lives of seniors through personal connections, visits, daily reassurance calls, equipment lending, senior care boxes, transportation, technology assistance, hurricane preparedness program and more. These services aim to allow seniors to age in place safely and with dignity.

• Helping hands. Our social services department helps with essential costs such as rent, utilities and medical bills through our Emergency Financial Assistance program. We also provide youth resources such as school supplies, gift assistance and childcare assistance.

Volunteer opportunities: Available, including activities for youth service hours. Contact Merari Salinas, Community Outreach Manager, (239) 472-4775 or fill out the volunteer inquiry form at Volunteer Inquiry – FISH of SANCAP.

Website: sccf.org | Facebook: SCCF
Purpose: Founded in 1967, SCCF protects and cares for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems by focusing on water quality research, policy and advocacy, sea turtles and shorebirds, native landscaping, habitat and wildlife management, and environmental education for learners of all ages.
Primary causes: conservation, animals and habitats, education, science and research
Volunteer opportunities: Contact coordinator Kealy Pfau. Some available for youth.
Info: sccf@sccf.org

Website: sanibelseaschool.org
Purpose: To improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time. Sanibel Sea School, part of the SCCF family, is dedicated to vibrantly teaching children and adults about marine ecosystems – animals, people, plants, land, ocean and weather. Our vision is a world where all people value, understand and care for the sea. We allow students to touch, feel and interact with natural surroundings. This transformative education changes lives, fosters an intimate connection with our ocean planet, and instills lifelong stewardship.
Primary causes: experiential learning, education, conservation.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact sanibelseaschool@sccf.org. Available, including some for youth.

Website: sanibelcommunityhouse.net | Facebook: Sanibel Community Association “The Community House”
Purpose: To enrich community spirit, through educational, cultural and social gatherings in our historic house.
Programs/causes: 1927 Historical House, culinary programs, art educational programs, art shows, assisting other nonprofits
Volunteer opportunities: Contact us. Available, including helping with greeting arrivals, special events, answering phones, general office work.

Website: sanibelmuseum.org | Facebook: Sanibel Historical Museum & Village Inc.
Purpose: To preserve, share and celebrate Sanibel’s history.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Pam Miner. Available, including front desk greeter, front desk assistant, docent, errands and light housekeeping.
Info: info@sanibelmuseum.org

Website: Sanibel School Fund
Purpose: The Sanibel School Fund is an extension of the Lee County School Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Funds raised by the Sanibel School Fund support the Sanibel School's robust STEM program.
Volunteer opportunities: Available, including assisting with annual golf tournament. Contact Sanibel School Fund

Website: Sanibel-captiva.org | Facebook: Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce
Purpose: To promote the prosperity of our members and preserve the quality of life in our community.
Causes: To help grow local businesses, we provide complimentary marketing and business support services for businesses to reach visitors to the area, as well as other businesses.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact Aaron Walton
Info: office@sanibel-captiva.org

Website: sanibelmusicfestival.org
Purpose: The mission of the Festival is to present classical music of the highest standard and to promote the careers of emerging artists through performance opportunities at affordable prices.
Volunteer and hosting opportunities: info@sanibelmusicfestival.org

Website: ospreys.com
Facebook: The International Osprey Foundation
Instagram: instagram.com/tiof.ospreys
Purpose: The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF), was founded on Sanibel Island, Florida, in 1981, with its founding principle: the protection and preservation of Ospreys worldwide. To that end, TIOF strives to educate the world community and offer research grants on raptor-related projects internationally. TIOF also recruits and coordinates teams of volunteers who build and maintain osprey nesting platforms and monitor osprey nests locally during breeding season.

Volunteer opportunities: ospreys.com/volunteer

Website: trailwayscamps.org | Facebook: Trailways Camp
Purpose: Enabling adults with special needs, and those who care for them, to grow their social, emotional and spiritual relationships.
Program: 4 day and 3 night camp experience for adults with special needs (must be at least 18 years old); Fun Days, and Camper Reunion
Volunteer Opportunities: Contact Jamie Senkeleski or visit the website trailwayscamps.org for updated opportunities that include:

• Activity Assistants - help campers complete activities or help lead an activity

• Background Supporters - set up crafts, meal prep/servers, and camp set-up, take-down & organizing.

  Camper Buddy - assist leading campers to and from all activities, ensuring inclusion and providing counselor support

  I Am Special Camper Reunion - assist with planning, decorating, and set-up for annual event

Info: trailwayscamps@gmail.com