Generosity Breakfast to celebrate the gift of giving
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com
A celebration of giving — time, talent and treasure — is the overall theme of this year’s Generosity Breakfast.
Charitable Foundation of the Islands Director of Community Engagement Savannah Kelly said Generosity Breakfast was held for the first time last year as a way to celebrate philanthropy on the island in honor of National Philanthropy Day, which is celebrated in November. She said the breakfast celebrates the generosity that makes Sanibel and Captiva so special.
Kelly said it’s the extraordinary effort of philanthropy or volunteerism that contributes to the strength of the community. That spirit of contribution, while bringing people together to remind everyone why they call the islands their home, will be celebrated.
Generosity Breakfast will be held Monday, Nov. 16, with a breakfast buffet beginning at 8 a.m., with the program following from 9 to 11 a.m. The gathering will take place at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, at 1451 Middle Gulf Drive.
Individual tickets are $225, and a table of eight is $2,000. Tickets can be purchased at secure.qgiv.com/for/generositybreakfast/event/generositybreakfast2026.
The breakfast attracted appropriately 200 people last year.
“We are hoping for the same. We have about 15 tickets left,” Kelly said last week.
The theme this year, “You Matter More Than You Know: One Person, One Community,” stemmed from a book by Author Jennifer Wallace, “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose.”
“It resonated with us, especially when we think about Sanibel and Captiva and what our community experienced,” she said. “After (Hurricane) Ian, we saw first hand what it meant to show up for one another. People gave whatever they could to help the island recover.”
When belonging and generosity is deeply connected, and people feel valued and know their contributions matter, they are more likely to become engaged and give back, which strengthens their community.
Kelly said generosity does not mean a person is writing the largest check, as the one dollar gift matters, the volunteer hours clocked matters, helping neighbors matter and checking on someone who is alone matters. She said someone does not have to be a major philanthropist, as everybody has something to contribute.
The 2026 program features keynote speaker Lynne Wester, who Kelly said embodies the theme. She said after Hurricane Ian, Charitable Foundation of the Islands Executive Director Dolly Farrell contacted Wester, as they knew each from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Wester provided resources, lists, made introductions and stepped in to help following the storm.
“She is a nationally recognized philanthropist who works with nonprofit charitable organizations across the country,” Kelly said.
Wester’s keynote speech “You Matter More Than You Know: One Person, One Community” will make the case that a community is not built by a few large gestures, but by one person, and one moment of caring at a time.
The breakfast will also celebrate the Generosity Champion Awards, as four awards will be presented that morning.
Two Junonia Awards will be given for the extraordinary generosity that resulted in a lasting difference in the community; the Bridge Builder Award will be given to someone who strengthens the connections by bringing together organizations, community partners and resources to create a greater impact for the island; and the Lighthouse Keeper Award is for leadership that serves as a guiding light for the community.
“At the end of the day, the Generosity Breakfast is reminding people that they matter. Everyone has something to contribute and everyone belongs,” Kelly said.
Something new was added this year, the 2026 Spirit of Generosity Co-Chairs Sam Boren and Steve King, who stepped up to underwrite the entire event, so any proceeds — ticket and table sales — go straight to CFI Community Impact Fund.
“Last year we granted out close to $126,000 supporting our local nonprofits,” Kelly said. “At the breakfast, we will be able to hear from past recipients. We are doing videos and testimonials. The guests will have an opportunity to contribute to the fund this year.”
Sundial is providing the venue space as an in-kind donation, and Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club is the center piece sponsor.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is the exclusive corporate sponsor. The bank has contributed more than $5 million to more than 400 local charitable causes, supported hurricane recovery efforts and invested in initiatives that strengthen the Southwest Florida communities since opening in 2003.