The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) doubled its full-time staff in January with the hiring of Kimberly Kouril as director of operations.

Kouril was hired after an extensive search and will work closely with Dolly Farrell, who joined CFI as its inaugural executive director in October 2022. The need for additional staff resulted from CFI’s increasing involvement with the islands’ economic revitalization since Hurricane Ian, ongoing work with island nonprofit organizations and resulting growing administrative needs.

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2024

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) will see several changes in 2024 as the Board’s Executive Committee transitions to a new slate of officers, including Chip Roach (Board Chair), Lisa Riordan (Board Vice Chair and Chair-Elect), John Morse (Secretary), and Doug Congress (Treasurer).

Would you like to support the economic revitalization of Sanibel and help restore our island economy?

The City of Sanibel's 50th Anniversary Program will help restore our island economy through events, lectures, and special celebrations from November 2024 through December 2025. Be a part of this special year of remembering our past, celebrating our present, and preparing for our future.

Sanibel, FL – January 1, 2024 –The Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Planning Committee is honored and excited to present the Class of 2024.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) created the program to prepare and encourage the next generation of leaders and volunteers. The inaugural 2022 class was a resounding success, but Hurricane Ian caused a one-year delay for the second class. Nonetheless, the 2024 class features 13 stellar individuals committed to improving the quality of life in our community. Members of the inaugural class served on the planning committee and helped select the 2024 participants.

Topics:

• Greetings and Gratitude from CFI

• Holiday Wishes from SanCap Nonprofits

• Announcing business climate study for Sanibel and Captiva Islands

• CFI Invests in Nonprofit Partners’ Grant Research

• A Christmas Mouse

• Charitable Foundation of the Islands welcomes Chauncey Goss to board

• Happiness and Year-End Giving Strategies

• CFI is Hiring a Director of Operations

The Director of Operations will be the second full-time staff member for this growing and maturing organization, reporting directly to the Executive Director. He/she is responsible for organizing and overseeing the daily operations of CFI for future growth and long-term success. The Director of Operations plays a critical role in supporting the Executive Director and helping the CFI Board of Directors and respective committees run smoothly and efficiently.

It’s an age-old adage, ‘money doesn’t buy happiness, but it sure helps.’ That sentiment certainly has special meaning this year.

Many studies confirm that donating time and service to others leads to greater happiness. Individuals who spent their money on other people, or gave gifts to others, are often happier than those who spent money on themselves.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chauncey Goss to the Board beginning January 2024. Goss grew up on Sanibel, raised his sons there and lives there with his wife, Allison.

He is the managing partner of Goss Practical Solutions, a firm he founded that provides federal fiscal policy analysis and budget forecasting to its clients. Goss previously worked on Capitol Hill, serving as Deputy Staff Director and Director of Budget Review for the House Budget Committee. He also worked for the Executive Office of the President in the Office of Management and Budget's National Security Division, and as a contracted strategic planner for the Air Force, Navy and intelligence community. He received a B.A. from Rollins College and a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University.

It’s no secret that the economic health of Sanibel and Captiva islands relies on the hotels and other vacation accommodations, the majority of which were devastated by Hurricane Ian. Helping this vital industry recover requires a mighty effort by those who care about these unique islands.

The SanCap Chamber of Commerce and Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) have worked more closely than ever over the past year to restore and revitalize the accommodation industry while also supporting businesses currently open and assisting those in the process of reopening.

Competition for grant money has never been fiercer, which means nonprofits have to be in top form to successfully attract them. That’s difficult for smaller organizations, a problem Sanibel and Captiva groups brought to the attention of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI).

 CFI’s Grants Committee determined that assisting these organizations in improving their grant research and writing would be a smart investment as they navigate post-hurricane recovery and rebuild.

Sanibel is conducting a Housing Needs Survey from October 2 – November 2, 2023.

With the help of Bright Community Trust and FEMA Community Assistance Program, City of Sanibel is conducting a Housing Needs Survey from October 2 – November 2, 2023.

Inducted in 2023: Tony began his hospitality career in 1976 when he and his wife, Angie, moved from Rochester, NY to Sanibel Island.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands in partnership with the Sanibel Captiva Rotary Scholarships Committee will be hosting a discussion with Crystal Maldonado, Scholarships Manager with the Collaboratory on Friday, October 27th, at 9:30 am immediately after the Rotary meeting. We will meet in the Founders Room at the Sanibel Community House.

[Sanibel, FL, October 24, 2023] The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Pfeifer to the Board. Eric and his family have been full-time Sanibel residents since 2001.

The Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce marked a major milestone in recovery efforts on Sanibel Island with a ribbon-cutting at Sanibel Island Beach Resort on Friday, Sep. 22, at 1231 Middle Gulf Drive.

Melissa Congress, Sanibel resident and Vice Chair of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI), will be recognized as a 2023 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year.

Sanibel School’s Seahorse Chorale has been invited to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall and a donor has offered a $25,000 matching grant to help them raise the money they need for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands invites our community to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Ian (September 28) with stories of inspiration, hope and progress.

Topics:

• Bailey’s General Store and the Johnson Family Donate $25,000 to CFI

• One Year after Ian: Stories of Island Renewal

• Grant Spotlight – Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

• FGCU Intern reflects on summer

  Internship with CFI

• Social Media Video Watch List

• Savor the Shore Campaign

• Join the fun: Community Reunited is Saturday, September, 30

• CHR executive director, Nicole Decker-McHale shares how POINT is helping their organization engage more volunteers

• Plan for SCCF Coastal Cleanup Event

A Summer of Service | By Brianna Levy, Estero, FL