Charitable Foundation of the Islands Provides Grant to The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

March 22, 2023 – The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) joins The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sanibel to make it easier for passersby to know that businesses are open. 

CFI has issued a $16,450 grant to the chamber to purchase 100 signs for open businesses on Sanibel and Captiva. The Sanibel City Council has approved the 5-foot-6-inch tall feather signs, which are free to chamber members. They will be used in place of the 3-foot-by-3-foot signs currently allowed. The grant was made possible through donations collected from the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund.

“Small businesses on Sanibel and Captiva are what make our islands special,” said Dolly Farrell, CFI executive director. “This grant will let businesses acquire them without spending money they need for so many other expenses as they recover from the hurricane.”

Chamber CEO John Lai said, “We welcome CFI as a partner in this important initiative. The feather signs have been designed, purchased and ready to be distributed.”

Chamber members will visit businesses with open storefronts to distribute the feather signs on Sanibel. Signs may also be picked up at the Visitor Center.

 “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with CFI and others as we execute our mission during the rebuilding process,” Lai said. 

This is the most recent grant issued from CFI’s Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund thanks to contributions from generous donors.

“There is a lot to be done,” said CFI Board Chair Chip Roach, “and the CFI Board of Directors feels confident that this grant will be useful in helping the islands recover.” 

For more information about the CFI visit www.charitablefoundationoftheislands.org