provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Thirty-eight independently owned businesses on the islands have received grants totaling $215,000 for post-hurricane recovery, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands announced this month.
The grants were made possible thanks to the generosity of donors to the Sanibel Captiva Recovery Fund. Two key community partners, FISH of SanCap and the Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, were essential in administering and supporting this program.
CFI reactivated the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund, which was first created after Hurricane Charley following the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The foundation thanks the community for contributing more than $266,000 to the small business support program, led by an anonymous donor’s $125,000 match challenge.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for every donor who stepped up to help us meet this ambitious goal for our small businesses,” said CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell. “These funds will have a transformative impact on our local businesses, ensuring they have the resources they need to recover and thrive.”
Recognizing the Role of Community Partners
CFI extends special thanks to FISH of SanCap, which administered the grant program, which included processing applications and distributing funds to business owners in need. The Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce also played a vital role by assisting business owners through the application process and providing outreach to ensure those in need were aware of the opportunity.
“There was never any hesitation from FISH of SanCap when asked to administer this program,” said CFI Board Chair Lisa Riordan. “Likewise, the Chamber of Commerce stepped up immediately, assigning a dedicated staff member to help business owners navigate the application process. Their combined efforts made this program possible, and we are deeply grateful.”
FISH of SanCap Executive Director Maria Espinoza added, “Supporting our local businesses in their recovery is essential to rebuilding our community. We are proud to partner with CFI to provide these much-needed grants and are grateful to every donor who made this possible.”
John Lai, President and CEO of the Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, echoed that sentiment: “Our local businesses are the backbone of our community. We were honored to assist in this process and ensure business owners had the support they needed to access these critical funds.”
Small Business Support Program Results (as of 4/15/25):
• $266,000 raised from Sanibel Captiva Recovery Fund donors
• $215,000 disbursed to FISH of SanCap for small business grants as of 4/15/25
• 38 businesses awarded grants, averaging $5,000 each
• 8 applicants from Captiva and 30 from Sanibel
• $5,000 will be earmarked the “Love Sanibel Business Back” Initiative organized and executed by St. Michael and All Angels Church again this year.
For more information on the Sanibel Captiva Recovery Fund and ongoing recovery efforts, visit myCFI.org.
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