Business Notes
SCCF FISCAL YEAR REPORT NOW ONLINE
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that it recently released its Annual Report for fiscal year 2024-25.
The contents of the report highlight the SCCF’s accomplishments over the year.
Bank of the Islands underwrote the publication of report.
Those who are not a member and did not receive the report in the mail can now read it online by visiting https://issuu.com/sccf3/docs/sccf_annual_report_2024-25.
SCIAR HOLDS LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) hosted a Lunch & Learn program, “Maximizing Value: Design & Renovation Secrets Relators Should Know,” on Dec. 3 at its office on Sanibel.
It featured guest speakers Robb & Stucky Furniture & Interiors designer Liliana Baird and Alex Martenson, with Alair Homes. They provided tips on how smart design choices, styling, decluttering and high-impact renovations can influence buyers, speed up sales and improve return on investment.
Attendees gained insights to better prepare homes for showings and enhance listing appeal.
FORMER REFUGE INTERN JOINS DDWS STAFF
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) announced that Claire Keeley recently returned and joined the team as program coordinator.
For the 2024-25 season, she served as the Harkey Development & Communications intern.
After her J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge internship, Keeley headed to Acadia National Park in Maine to work with the friends group, continuing her role and interest in nonprofit communications and development as digital content creator.
Originally hailing from Gaithersburg, Maryland, she graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with majors in environmental studies and biology and a minor in visual arts.
At the university, Keeley served as an administrative and communications assistant for Arts@Denison, where she created graphics and marketed all arts-related events to the public and student body. She also worked as a teaching assistant and senior fellow for the Environmental Studies Department.
SAN CAP BANK SERVES AS SPONSOR
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank was a $15,000 premier sponsor for Grampy’s Charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida’s 8th annual golf fundraiser on Dec. 12 at the Fiddlesticks Country Club in For Myers.
Proceeds from the tournament will support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
ZONTA RECOGNIZED AT CONFERENCE
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva was honored with the Governor’s Cup as outstanding club of the year at the Zonta District 11’s annual conference on Oct. 17-19 in Coral Gables.
The award is based on each club’s annual report, which covers all aspects of its activities during the year in service, fundraising and advocacy.
District 11 is divided into six areas, with the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva located in Area 6, and is comprised of 36 clubs in the southeast.
The other finalists for this year’s Governor’s Cup were: Zonta Club of Birmingham, Area 1; Zonta Club of Franklin, Area 2 Zonta Club of Greater Deerfield Beach, Area 3; Zonta Club of Melbourne & Zonta Club of The Villages, Area 4; and Zonta Club of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Area 5.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has earned the recognition several times in the past, but not since the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
CHR NOMINATED FOR ANNUAL ENPYS
Community Housing and Resources (CHR) was recognized as a nominee in multiple categories at The Community Foundation’s 2025 ENPYs — Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly.
The awards ceremony took place on Dec. 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers.
CHR was nominated for the: Housing and Homelessness Hero Award, CHR; Executive Leader of the Year, Nicole Decker-McHale with CHR; Lifetime Achievement Award, Roger Grogman with CHR; and Partnership Builder Award, Nicole Decker-McHale with CHR.
CHR shared that it was proud to be recognized among a distinguished group of nonprofits making a meaningful impact throughout the region. The awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate excellence in service, innovation and community engagement.