provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands will host its annual Volunteer Expo from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28, at The Community House. Over 50 local nonprofit organizations, community groups, and residents will gather for an afternoon dedicated to service, connection, and engagement.
The Volunteer Expo is made possible through the support of Pfeifer Realty Group and the Sanibel Community Association, enabling attendees to connect with nonprofits, discover volunteer opportunities, and get involved in causes that benefit the islands.
As part of the event, CFI will award $8,000 in community grants to participating nonprofit organizations, made possible through the generous support of Lake Michigan Credit Union, a returning Volunteer Expo sponsor. The grants will be presented during a grants and awards ceremony from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., which will include a People’s Choice Award and a Best Decorated Table Award.
Lake Michigan Credit Union’s partnership with CFI reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening island nonprofits. In 2022, following Hurricane Ian, Lake Michigan Credit Union awarded CFI a grant to provide POINT—a volunteer management software platform—to island nonprofits at no cost, helping organizations more effectively coordinate volunteers during recovery efforts and beyond.
“This event is about connection—connecting people to purpose and nonprofits to the volunteers and resources they need,” said Savannah Kelly, Director of Community Engagement at CFI. “The Volunteer Expo reflects the strong partnerships and shared commitment that keep Sanibel and Captiva thriving.”
Lake Michigan Credit Union shares CFI’s commitment to community investment. “Local nonprofits are essential to the strength and character of a community,” said Karen Goetz, Senior Regional Community Relations Specialist at Lake Michigan Credit Union. “We’re proud to support the Volunteer Expo and help recognize nonprofits’ meaningful work on Sanibel and Captiva.”
To vote and be eligible for grant awards, nonprofits must register for the Expo at mycfi.org.