GUEST COMMENTARY: $44K Needed to Match Island Business Post-Hurricane Grant Program

We wish to remind you and impress the importance of Dec. 31 as the deadline to match a generous anonymous donation of $125,000 to the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund. Donations by end of the month are crucial to help local businesses make a comeback after the rigors of destruction from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and now hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) and the SanCap Chamber administrate the grant program.

Currently, 36 independently owned businesses have applied for the small business support program. These businesses will receive grants up to $10,000 as a result of the fund, which CFI reactivated in October, immediately after Helene and Milton. The chamber then hired a dedicated staff person to help businesses with paperwork and questions. We are taking applications for grants to independent businesses based on need. Contact Alex Bustamante at 239-440-9709 or Alex@sanibel-captiva.org for assistance.

Businesses have faced extreme losses from hurricanes Helene and Milton on top of Ian – devastation three times in just two years. Tourism predictions forecast another weak season upcoming for Sanibel and Captiva businesses in 2024-2025. We need your support, your donations to help restore our islands to their former glory as one of Florida’s most desirable and well-loved vacation destinations.

We are so grateful to the generous anonymous donor who has set this powerful recovery effort in motion. We thank all the community members who so far have helped us reach 65 percent of our goal to match that donation. With only $44,000 remaining to raise, we urge you to consider the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund for your end-of-year donation. You have until Dec. 31 to make charitable donations that could benefit your income tax obligation. We have until Dec. 31 to make Sanibel and Captiva islands strong once again. Thank you for considering donating today by mail to PO Box 1429, Sanibel, FL 33957; or online here.

Signed,
John Lai, president and chief executive officer, SanCap Chamber
Dolly Farrell, executive director, Charitable Foundation of the Islands
Maria Espinoza, executive director, FISH of SanCap