News Archives - Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva

2027 Empowerment Grant Applications Now Open

NewsBy Taryn Manning July 24, 2026

The Zonta Foundation of SWFL and Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva invite 501(c)3 non-profit organizations dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls to apply for a 2027 grant. Grants co-chairs Kathleen Skubikowski and Megan Galgano note that the Zonta Foundation strives to, “Focus on supporting women to claim their rights as individuals through training, education, access to healthcare, and affordable housing.” Skubikowski states that “Grant applications must focus on one or more of these aspects of empowering women and girls.” Adds Galgano, “We know that many wonderful organizations are doing amazing work to promote the welfare of women and girls, and Zonta wants to recognize and support this work.”

Previous grant recipients and new non-profit applicants are encouraged to consider requesting funding for on-going or new projects. Applications require non-profit organizations to describe in full the project for which they are seeking a grant. Zonta is non-sectarian and cannot consider applications from faith-based or religious organizations.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

Applications are due by September 14, 2026. Grants will be awarded in January, 2027. Email any questions to Kathleen Skubikowski (skubikow@middlebury.edu).

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Self Defense Class | April 16th from 6-8PM

NewsBy Taryn Manning April 7, 2026

Join us for an empowering evening focused on confidence, awareness, and safety!

In partnership with Sanibel Pilates and Spa, we’re hosting a Self Defense Class on April 16th from 6–8 PM at Sanibel Community Church.

Presented by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, this session will focus on situational awareness, personal safety strategies, and practical self-defense techniques, with hands-on moves taught at the end.

Bring a friend, a daughter, or come solo. We especially encourage middle and high school girls to attend. This is a meaningful way to learn, connect, and support a powerful cause.

Details:

• $20 suggested donation at the door
• Proceeds support Zonta’s mission, including their global campaign, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
• 10% of retail sales at Sanibel Pilates & Spa (April 12–18) will be donated to the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida

To help us plan accordingly, please take a moment to RSVP using the link provided. We’d love to know you’re coming!

RSVP
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfWFS2cansPt-hOJsxjbCAPtUFPl7Sap1-cJOVGAV6TmMmXg/viewform?usp=dialog

2026 Peek at the Unique Raffle and Auction

NewsBy Taryn Manning March 8, 2026

Get ready for even more fun at Home Base during this year’s Peek at the Unique on March 14th! In addition to touring some of Sanibel’s most beautiful homes, guests can stop by the Sanibel Community House to browse an exciting collection of raffle and auction items generously donated by local businesses and supporters. From unique experiences to special local finds, there’s something for everyone, and it’s the perfect way to add a little extra excitement to your tour day.

Take a moment before or after your bus departure to explore the raffle and auction tables, place your bids, and try your luck. Even if you’re not attending the home tour this year, you’re still invited to stop by the Community House to purchase raffle tickets and support the important work of the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida and the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva. Every ticket helps support programs that empower women and girls in our community.

Raffle Items Include:

Painting by Susan Sadler
Gift Bag from Sanibel Day Spa
Gift Certificates from Sanibel Sprout & Blue Giraffe
Handmade Glass Jewelry Sets
Gift Bag from Her Sports Closet
Gift Card for Beach Daisy
Gift Bag from Sanibel Pilates &

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2026 Peek at the Unique Tickets Now On Sale

NewsBy Taryn Manning February 12, 2026

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida are delighted to announce our 2026 Peek at the Unique Tour of Homes.

Take a “Peek” this year at two waterfront gems in a hidden corner of Sanibel, a beautiful new residence in the making that illustrates the island’s rebirth and finally, a joyful home and garden overflowing with the pure, happy spirit of life on our island! Your participation supports women and girls through the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida.

Similar to last year our air-conditioned buses will be starting every 20 minutes from the Sanibel Community House (2173 Periwinkle Way) between 9AM and 11:20AM on Saturday, March 14th. Back by popular demand this year is that there will be no bus guides and you will be able tour the homes at your leisure. Additionally, there will be fewer people on each bus so that the homes will be less crowded.

You will receive the warmest of welcomes when you arrive at the Community House, where we will have a tasty snack and water for you. There will also be the opportunity to view and bid on our auction items and buy raffle tickets for items including exciting trips and artwork!…

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Zonta Awards Grants for 2026

NewsBy Taryn Manning February 1, 2026

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida recently awarded grants totaling $87,000 to fourteen local non-profit organizations dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls. The funded projects focus on training, education, and affordable housing, factors that support women as they strive to create fulfilling lives reflecting their rights as individuals.

According to Zonta Grants Committee co-chair Kathleen Skubikowski: “We know that many wonderful organizations are doing amazing work to promote the welfare of women and girls, and Zonta is pleased to recognize and support that work.”

The organizations receiving awards for 2026 include: (from Sanibel) F.I.S.H., Community Housing and Resources (CHR), and the Sanibel Sea School. From Fort Myers and Cape Coral they include: Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT), After the Rain of Southwest Florida, Dress for Success, the Dr. Piper Center for Social Services, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build campaign, Healing Stitches’ “Know Your Rights” project, Our Mother’s Home of Southwest Florida, Pace Center for Girls, Premier Mobile Health Services, and Women Veteran Warriors.

Co-chair Joanne Marriott observes, “Through these grants, Zonta hopes to empower impactful programs and initiatives that create lasting change and a brighter future for those who need it most.”

Zonta’s grant money is raised each year primarily through its signature event,

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Zonta to Host Community Collection Day, November 8th

NewsBy Taryn Manning October 28, 2025

With the arrival of autumn, it’s time for a popular biannual event: Community Collection Day on Sanibel. The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva invites Sanibel and Captiva residents to check closets, garages and other storage spaces and to bring gently-used or new household items and clothing to the entrance of the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 San-Cap Road, on Saturday, November 8, 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Zonta members will be on hand to help unload donations and will distribute them to local non-profits working to improve the lives of women and girls. Since donations are tax-deductible per IRS rules, Zontians will also issue tax receipts. Cash or donations by check (to Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida) are also accepted.

List of Items Requested:

After the Rain
After the Rain of Southwest Florida provides transitional housing and supportive services that help women recovering from domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges move toward permanent housing and independence.

Paper Towels
Bathroom Cleaner
Bath Tissue
Bleach
Laundry Detergent
Dish Detergent
Sponges

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Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva Hosts T-Shirt Collection Drive to Support Survivors of Human Trafficking

NewsBy Taryn Manning September 17, 2025

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is proud to partner with Rethreaded, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives by creating clothing and accessories from recycled t-shirts.

From September 20 through October 4, community members are invited to donate new or gently used, clean t-shirts in any size, color, or fabric. Donations will be repurposed by Rethreaded to give survivors meaningful employment and a path toward independence.

Drop-off locations include:

Sanibel Recreation Center – 3880 Sanibel Captiva Road (Sept. 20–Oct. 4)
On Island at Village Shops – 2340 Periwinkle Way (Sept. 20–Oct. 4)
Sea Glass Lane at Periwinkle Place – 2075 Periwinkle Way (Oct. 2–Oct. 4)

Give your old t-shirts a new purpose while making a difference in the lives of women reclaiming their futures. This collection is part of a larger District 11 service project, with Zonta Clubs across the district joining together to support Rethreaded’s mission.

Zonta Offers New Round of Grants | Download Application

NewsBy Taryn Manning August 18, 2025

The Zonta Foundation of SWFL and the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva are focusing their 2026 grants on the empowerment of women and girls. Therefore, applications MUST focus on training, education, and/or affordable housing that supports women as they strive to achieve the power to claim their rights as individuals. Successful grant applications must focus on one or more of these three aspects of empowering women. Applicants must be a 501(c)3. Applicants are advised that Zonta is non-sectarian and will not consider applications from faith-based or religious organizations.

Grants chair Kathleen Skubikowski notes that the Zonta Foundation strives to focus on supporting women to claim their rights as individuals through training, education, and affordable housing: “Applications must focus on one or more of these aspects of empowering women and girls. We know that many wonderful organizations are doing amazing work to promote the welfare of women and girls, and Zonta wants to recognize and support this work.”

Previous grant recipients and new non-profit applicants are encouraged to consider requesting funding for ongoing or new projects. Applications require describing in full the project for which they are seeking a grant;

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Zonta Celebrates Habitat Relationship

NewsBy Taryn Manning July 9, 2025

The collaborative relationship between the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties goes back at least ten years, when Zonta awarded its first grant in support of Habitat’s then-new Women Build program. Grants are awarded each year in January, from funds raised during the previous year, mostly from the annual home tour, A Peek at the Unique.

Women Build was created specifically to raise funds for construction or rehabbing of homes for single mothers and their families. This spring, several events have continued to strengthen Zonta’s connection with this successful program, beginning with Habitat’s annual Women Build Kickoff party in March, which launched the 2025 program and honored a number of major contributors, including Zonta.

The club also brings its own volunteer crew of Zontians each spring to one or more designated Women Build sites, where members engage in painting, flooring, or whatever is the greatest need, as a home is readied for a new owner.

In early June, Zonta president Taryn Manning attended the dedication of just such a new home in Cape Coral, and had the honor of presenting a symbolic key to a new homeowner.

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Zonta Celebrates Successful “Peek at the Unique”

NewsBy Taryn Manning April 16, 2025

On Saturday, March 15, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva hosted the 2025 “Peek at the Unique,” a follow-up to last year’s successful return of this much-loved annual event. The annual guided home tour, first launched in 2002, raises funds to help make life better for women and girls in Southwest Florida and around the world through Zonta International.

The event sold out early, with buses added to bring the total number of “Peekers” to more than 260. A force of over 50 volunteers—Zontians, their friends and family members, plus members of the SanCap Kiwanis, provided help and support along the way as greeters, guides in the homes, even parking attendants. At home base, the Sanibel Community House, a colorful raffle table plus auction items added to the proceeds, along with delicious treats provided by Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream.

Under sunny skies, the 2025 “Peek,” with a theme of Showcasing Sanibel Resilience, topped last year’s numbers and was again a hit with supporters old and new. The flexible bus schedule allowed guests the opportunity to stay longer, if they wished, or leave sooner from each property. Guests rode on comfortable air-conditioned buses to four unique homes,

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