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Fish of Sanibel-Captiva Inc

EIN 20-8892375 · Sanibel, FL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS BY NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
31.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
9
Volunteers
176
Highest pay
$148,333, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $2.2 million spent. A SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON "NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS" WITH A VISION TO CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. FOOD PROGRAMS - THE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS, SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES FIVE DAYS A WEEK, ALLOWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHOP FOR THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. IN 2024, FISH DISTRIBUTED 168,023 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 7,079 VISITORS TO THE FOOD PANTRY. THE MEALS-BY-FISH PROGRAM PROVIDES HOT, FRESH MEALS THROUGH DELIVERY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE MOBILITY CONSTRAINTS. IN 2024, VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED 1,249 MEALS TO ISLANDERS. THE BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND SNACKS TO SUSTAIN THEM OVER THE WEEKENDS AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS. IN 2024, STUDENTS RECEIVED 844 BACKPACKS OF FOOD. FISH ALSO PROVIDES BASKETS WITH ALL THE FIXINGS FOR EASTER, THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS. DURING 2023, 809 HOLIDAY MEALS WERE DISTRIBUTED. ADDITIONALLY, FISH PROVIDED 5,680 EMERGENCY MEALS TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON. EDUCATION PROGRAMS - FISH EMPOWERS PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CORRECTEDNESS. THE ADULT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, SEEK ADDITIONAL JOB TRAINING OR ATTAIN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS OR SHIFT GEARS INTO A FIELD THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY IN. FISH OFFERS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE, SUMMER CAMP AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SAFE AND ENRICHING PROGRAM OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. THIS YEAR WE OFFERED A DISASTER RECOVERY HEALING CAMP TO CHILDRED AGED 5-12 AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. FISH ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGH MONTHLY WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND THE AGING PROCESS AND MORE. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - FISH IS KEENLY FOCUSED ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE SENIOR POPULATION ON THE ISLANDS, INCLUDING ISOLATION AND LONELINESS. THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, THE GOAL IS FOR ISLANDERS TO REMAIN HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT AND ENGAGED AS THEY AGE AND TO AGE IN PLACE WITH DIGNITY. FISH VOLUNTEERS ENRICH THE LIVES OF MANY THROUGH PERSONAL CONNECTIONS, VISITS, AND DAILY REASSURANCE CALLS. THE FRIENDLY FACES LUNCHEON HELD ONCE A MONTH PROVIDES A SOCIAL EVENT WITH A THEME, GAMES, PRIZES AND SOCIALIZATION, WHILE ENJOYING A DELICIOUS MEAL. THE HURRICANE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION PACKET SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF ISLANDERS DURING HURRICANE SEASON. EACH PACKET INCLUDES INFORATION ON SHELTERS, EVACUATION PREPARATION, PETS DURING A STORM, APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERS, CITY OF SANIBEL RE-ENTRY PASSES AND MORE. FISH ALSO PROVIDES NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION FOR INDIVIDUALS NEEDING TRANSPORTATION FOR ON-ISLAND ERRANDS, SUCH AS NON- EMERGENT MEDICAL, DENTAL, CHURCH, SHOPPING, BANKING OR OFF-ISLAND MEDICAL APPOINTMENST BY FISH VOLUNTEER DRIVERS. HELPING HANDS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - THE KEY TO NAVIGATING ANY CRISIS IS HAVING SUPPORT AND A PLAN. THE HELPING HANDS PROGRAM OFFERS BOTH. COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO HELP WITH ESSENTIAL COSTS SUCH AS RENT, UTILITIES, MEDICAL BILLS AND OTHER TRHOUGH THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IN 2024, FISH PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON 460 OCCASIONS TO THOSE IN NEED AND PROVIDED 5,823 INSTANCES OF CASE MANAGEMENT. DISASTER ASSISTANCE - SINCE HURRICANE IAN IN 2022, THROUGHOUT 2023 AND SINCE HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON IN 2025, FISH HAS BEEN ASSISTING RESIDENTS AND THE WORKFORCE TO OBTAIN REBUILDING SUPPLIES AND FURNISHINGS AND HAVE FORMED THE APPROPRIATE PARTNERSHIPS TO DISTRIBUTE NECESSARY ITEMS FOR FOLKS TO BEGIN THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS. FISH SUPPLIED RESIDENTS WITH DRYWALL, BICYCLES, SPACKLE, MATTRESSES, GRILLS FOR COOKING AND FURNISHINGS. FISH PROVIDED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT/ MORTGAGE, UTILITY AND MEDICAL PURPOSES. FISH SUPPLIED ISLAND NEIGHBORS WITH SHELF STABLE FOOD, WATER, CLEANING SUPPLIES AND OTHER ESSENTIALS FOR DAY-TO-DAY LIVING. IN 2024, FISH DISTRIBUTED 2,226 MUCH NEEDED MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY. ADDITIONALLY, 586 HURRICANE PACKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. A SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON "NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS" WITH A VISION TO CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. FOOD PROGRAMS - THE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS, SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES FIVE DAYS A WEEK, ALLOWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHOP FOR THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. IN 2024, FISH DISTRIBUTED 168,023 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 7,079 VISITORS TO THE FOOD PANTRY. THE MEALS-BY-FISH PROGRAM PROVIDES HOT, FRESH MEALS THROUGH DELIVERY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE MOBILITY CONSTRAINTS. IN 2024, VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED 1,249 MEALS TO ISLANDERS. THE BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND SNACKS TO SUSTAIN THEM OVER THE WEEKENDS AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS. IN 2024, STUDENTS RECEIVED 844 BACKPACKS OF FOOD. FISH ALSO PROVIDES BASKETS WITH ALL THE FIXINGS FOR EASTER, THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS. DURING 2023, 809 HOLIDAY MEALS WERE DISTRIBUTED. ADDITIONALLY, FISH PROVIDED 5,680 EMERGENCY MEALS TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON. EDUCATION PROGRAMS - FISH EMPOWERS PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CORRECTEDNESS. THE ADULT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, SEEK ADDITIONAL JOB TRAINING OR ATTAIN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS OR SHIFT GEARS INTO A FIELD THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY IN. FISH OFFERS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE, SUMMER CAMP AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SAFE AND ENRICHING PROGRAM OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. THIS YEAR WE OFFERED A DISASTER RECOVERY HEALING CAMP TO CHILDRED AGED 5-12 AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. FISH ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGH MONTHLY WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TH

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.