October 31, 2022 – The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) was on the cusp of announcing a new Executive Director, Dolly Farrell, when Hurricane Ian ravaged Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Their vision, to strengthen the quality of life for those who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva, is more crucial now than ever before as the area seeks to recover from the destruction left in the wake of the hurricane.
With a new leader at the helm, the nonprofit launched the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund earmarked to provide grants to local partnering nonprofit organizations. CFI is the Hurricane Ian relief charity recommended by the City of Sanibel. Donations to the Fund are tax deductible.
Several months before the hurricane, the CFI Board of Directors began a search for a qualified Executive Director to assist with day-to-day as well as long-term operations. “We realized our community and Board would benefit from the addition of a leader who could enhance our outreach efforts and impact on Sanibel and Captiva,” said Chip Roach, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Farrell, a key figure in fundraising for Florida Gulf Coast University for almost nine years, emerged as the best candidate for the position. “She has had outstanding success in the nonprofit world,” said Roach. “Her leadership will be crucial now that we are collectively recovering from this disaster.”
Farrell is a long-time Fort Myers resident with strong relationships throughout the region. Like so many in the community, her home sustained damage in the hurricane. “The destruction that Sanibel and Captiva are faced with is not something anyone would have chosen,” she said, ”however, it is a privilege to assist during this difficult time.”
Melissa Congress is a member of the CFI Founding Board since 2011, and head of the Search Committee. “We are fortunate to find someone so well suited to this inaugural role and we look forward to supporting her as we all navigate through the recovery process,” she said.
Farrell earned a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. “My education prepared me for service to the community. And, like the rest of us, the pandemic has taught me how to pivot,” she said. “Nothing could totally prepare you for navigating the aftermath of this type of devastation or destruction, but we’ve all learned valuable life lessons about adapting that can be applied here.
CFI can be found at myCFI.org and followed on Facebook and LinkedIn.
