CFI Awards 2018 Capacity and Collaboration Grants

Among the Board of Directors of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, which has sponsored $50,000 in Capacity and Collaboration Grants this year, are (top row from left) Vice-Chair Chip Roach, Chair Al Hanser, Tony Lapi and Paul Roth; (second row from left) Melissa Congress, Steve Brown and Steve Greenstein; and (bottom row from left) Grants Chair Ginny Stringer, Brenda Harrity and Mary Ellen Pfeifer. Not pictured are Treasurer Tim O’Neill, Cindy Brown, Mike Kelly, Secretary Ralph Clark, Chris Heidrick, Sanctuary Golf Club General Manager Ken Kouril, and Jim Pouliot. Photo provided by Jan Holly.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands announces the recipients of its 2018 Capacity Grant and Collaboration Grant initiatives. The grant monies, in the amount of $5,000 per organization, and totaling $50,000, were awarded to ten non-profit organizations on Sanibel and Captiva. The grants help to assure the continuity of these worthy charitable enterprises, by assisting them with technological renewal, fund-raising and strategic planning.

CFI’s Capacity Grant Award is a unique undertaking designed to help Sanibel and Captiva non-profit groups increase their organizational capacity and, thus, their sustainability. The grants enable organizations to hire consultants, implement new technology or improve existing technology, and equip their boards and staff with skills that further the organizations’ missions.

This year’s recipients of the Capacity Grants include the Captiva Community Panel, the Children's Education Center of the Islands, the J. N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Captiva Island Historical Society, the Captiva Civic Association, Community Housing and Resources, BIG ARTS, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Sanibel Community Association.

The Collaboration Grants, a new CFI initiative, supports the work of Island non-profits to share tools and enhancements, thereby multiplying exponentially the impact of the grant. Two such grants were awarded, the first to the Sanibel/Captiva Interfaith Community’s Shared Scholars Committee. It is designed to foster greater cooperation among the sister Islands’ various religious organizations and local social service providers. The beneficiary religious institutions include Bat Yam Temple of the Islands, Chapel By The Sea, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, Sanibel Community Church and St Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation was awarded a collaboration grant as well. The award supports a DonorPerfect training program that will enhance SCCF’s ability to organize and access its donor base for more targeted opportunities, as well as share this training with fellow non-profits. It will reach as many as 11 individual trainees from a variety of Island non-profit organizations.

The Capacity Grants committee, headed by Virginia Stringer, includes Cindy Brown, Brenda Harrity, Chris Heidrick, Mike Kelly, Jim Pouliot, Nathalie Pyle and Chip Roach.

“We are pleased to help so many Island non-profits in this third year of our Capacity Grant initiative and the initial year of our Collaboration Grants,” Stringer said. “As familiarity with our purpose grows, organizations can better target their capacity-building needs and better measure their results. We are especially pleased with the far-reaching impact that the two Collaboration Grants will have. Both initiatives strengthen the connection and commitment between the CFI Board, the Grants Committee and these amazing non-profits that benefit the citizens and the environment of the Islands that we love.”

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ partnership with the 2018 Sanctuary Charity Classic and its many generous sponsors has helped it to provide the funds for these Capacity and Collaboration Grants. The Sanctuary Charity Classic has collaborated with CFI to assist the Islands’ neighbors in need for more than 15 years. Since its inception, the event has raised over $1.5 million, making it possible for CFI to bring abundant critical resources to area non-profit organizations.

The Sanctuary Golf Club and its members generously provide the club and the golf course for the day. Ongoing generosity from the community and Sanctuary members demonstrates the caring nature of the Islands.

CFI’s mission is to promote philanthropy, to help Sanibel and Captiva residents in need and to strengthen the islands’ non-profit organizations, building a spirit of community for generations to come. CFI’s primary concerns are basic human needs, arts, education, historic preservation, the environment and unforeseen emergencies. CFI accomplishes its goals through the distribution of annually raised funds and stewardship of reserves maintained for emergencies.

Article originally published in the Santiva Chronicle