FISH Foundation holds first meeting of new year
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva reported that the FISH Foundation held its first board meeting of the year in February, launching 2026 with a renewed focus and a dedicated board guiding its work.
The meeting focused on structure, fundraising, planned giving and increasing awareness in the community. Board members discussed how to strengthen the pipeline of support through initiatives like the AngelFISH Society and Maggi Feiner Presidential Fund, both of which are designed to encourage long-term and legacy giving.
“The foundation is about being ready for what comes next,” board Chair Jim Metzler said. “FISH has always responded to the needs of this community, whether during a storm or in quieter times when families are just trying to keep up. Our role is to make sure the financial resources are there so that work can continue without interruption.”
Established in 2021 to help build a secure financial future for FISH, the foundation exists to make sure the organization can continue serving island neighbors for years to come. FISH reported that as more residents and members of the workforce turn to it for help with food access, financial assistance, senior support, education, disaster recovery and other essential needs, long-term funding plays an important role in keeping those services available.
The foundation is a separately incorporated nonprofit corporation created to raise, manage, distribute and steward private resources — both current and endowed — to support the social service programs of FISH. Funds received by the foundation are invested and distributed to FISH as the foundation board reasonably deems prudent, in accordance with applicable laws.
“The foundation gives us the ability to look ahead,” FISH and foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner said. “It helps ensure that FISH can remain a reliable resource for neighbors who need support — whether that’s a senior aging in place, a working parent facing unexpected expenses, or a family recovering after a storm.”
The 2026 board includes: Metzler as chair; Greg Blurton as vice chair; Bob Miller as secretary and treasurer; Feiner as president and chief executive officer; and Board Members David Lowden, John Morse, Kathy Samson, Sheridan Snell and Linda Uhler, who also serves as AngelFISH Committee chair.