Home > About Us
About Us

A Small Island With a Global Vision

Founded in 1996, The Cape Eleuthera Foundation supports education, scientific research, community leadership, and sustainable technologies. From one beautiful seaside campus in The Bahamas, we aim to inspire a more livable future throughout the world.


Our Work

We realize our mission by providing charitable support to grantees across South Eleuthera and The Bahamas. Your support helps to catalyze this sustainability movement and makes collaborations with these and other partners possible. 

Meet Our Grantees

Every gift makes a difference. These are just a few of the organizations the Cape Eleuthera Foundation supports.

The Island School

The Island School provides transformative experiential education for learners pre-K to PhD. More than 500 students from around the world visit the campus each year. With a focus on conservation and sustainability, the school develops responsible citizens and leaders who can ensure a more sustainable future for our planet.

Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation

BREEF is a leader in marine conservation and education to protect land and sea. As a partner in The Island School’s Bahamas Environmental Stewards Scholarship, BREEF places students in post-program internships, continuing their development as environmental champions.

South Eleuthera Mission

South Eleuthera Mission is a vibrant community center, museum, and library. In 2006, we supported the renovation of this historic building; today, we provide ongoing support for programming and community events.

One Eleuthera Foundation

OEF focuses on holistic, sustainable community development. Initiatives and programs support all facets of community wellbeing, including educational advancement and technical training (through its education arm, the Centre for Training and Innovation – CTI), health and wellness, environmental protection and conservation, and economic empowerment. We collaborate on education and conservation.


Our History

It started with a love for this place and its people.

Founders Chris and Pam Maxey began with a vision of cultivating education, research, and conservation In South Eleuthera, of establishing a vibrant learning community with positive impacts rippling across Eleuthera and beyond. Today, that dream has taken shape.

Highlights From Our History

1996

Cape Eleuthera Marine Conservation Project, now the Cape Eleuthera Foundation, Inc., is established, providing the framework for funding education, sustainability, and leadership opportunities, and for building a school and research station.

1997

The Cape Eleuthera Foundation receives its first donation of $5,000.

1998

Community connections are forged, and the first computers are donated to local schools in South Eleuthera.

Fall 1999

First Island School Semester launches with 22 students and six faculty members. Read more about the history of The Island School.

Winter 1999

First endowment donation is made by Prince Charitable Trusts, providing scholarship support and expanding access. 

2001

With generous support from private donors, The Island School opens Deep Creek Middle School, connecting local students with high-quality education.

2006

Our generous donor community comes together again to support the opening of Cape Eleuthera Institute, establishing a formal program for marine conservation research and sustainable development.

2007

The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Foundation partner with Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF) and establish the Bahamas Environment Steward Scholarship Programme  (BESS). This first year celebrated two BESS Scholars and has continued to support four Bahamian scholars each year since its inception.

2011-2016

The Sharing Solutions Campaign, the first major campaign in the Foundation’s history, raises $22M, securing a sustainable future and enhancing educational and scientific programs.

2013

Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York City establishes a partnership with The School School, supported by the Cape Eleuthera Foundation, and continues to celebrate two scholars each academic year in The Island School Semester

2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Cape Eleuthera Foundation raises $3M as part of an Anti-Fragility Fund Campaign. This funding allowed all grantees to continue their education models and make positive impacts throughout the global crisis.

2022

CEI is awarded a 3-year grant totaling $243,540 from The Builder’s Initiative to establish the first spiny lobster nursery facility in The Bahamas. This is the philanthropic arm of Builders Vision, an impact platform established by Lukas and Samantha Walton.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of our generous donors and meaningful partnerships and support we’ve received from a variety of organizations over the years, including Alumbra Innovations Foundation, Earthwatch Institute, Leon Levy Foundation, Lyford Cay Foundation, The Mactaggart Third Fund, NOAA, RBC Capital Markets, Save our Seas Foundation, Templeton World Charity Foundation, and TK Foundation, among others.

Meet Our Team


Advancement Team

  • Taylor Hoffman

    Taylor Hoffman

    Taylor had the opportunity to join The Island School as a student in Spring 2006 before earning her BS in Zoology and Environmental Science at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Taylor returned to Eleuthera in 2012 as a research fellow after working in marine science at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California and The Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. With a passion for the intersection of science and education, Taylor lead The Island School Semester and Summer admissions team from 2013 to 2020 as she worked to expand The Island School’s reach and impact on its students. Taylor joined The Cape Eleuthera Foundation in 2021 as Assistant Director and into her current position in 2022. Taylor currently lives in New Hampshire with her husband Kyle and dog Lola.

    taylorhoffman@islandschool.org
  • Lindsay Johnson

    Lindsay Johnson

    Lindsay joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation in 2020. She brings experience in development operations, campaign management, and international tourism and education from her time working at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Context Travel. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a MA in Modern French Studies from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. Lindsay lives in Philadelphia with her husband Brandon and their daughter Quinn.

    lindsayjohnson@islandschool.org
  • Anna Becker

    Anna Becker

    Anna joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation in the summer of 2018 as the Admissions & Alumni Relations Associate. Born in Virginia and raised in Colorado, she studied strategic communications and Spanish at Washington State University. She continued her world tour following graduation and spent a year living in Spain while traveling around Europe. With her home base in Philly, Anna is excited to be a part of the team working to offer students experiential learning opportunities and impactful educational experiences at The Island School. 

    annabecker@islandschool.org
  • Jack Bliss

    Jack Bliss

    Growing up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Jack studied Biology and Spanish at Trinity College. Following a lifelong connection with the ocean and passion to develop a career in marine science, Jack went on to work as a diver and educator for the New England Aquarium. Following this, Jack joined The Island School in 2018 on the Visiting Programs team. In his three years working on campus, he coordinated short-courses, led the GAP program, and served as a Marine Ecology Teacher for the Semester. Jack managed educational programs for Loggerhead Marinelife Center in South Florida before returning to work for the Cape Eleuthera Foundation. Through fundraising and development, Jack supports The Island School’s ability to provide students with transformative educational experiences.

  • Alexander Cates

    Alexander Cates

    Alex first joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation in the summer of 2016 as an Operations Intern after graduating from Quinnipiac University. After completing his graduate studies at Suffolk University he rejoined the team as an Associate Business Officer in 2019. Alex is currently the Director of Development Operations and Finance at the Cape Eleuthera Foundation. A native Eleutheran, Alex graduated from the Deep Creek Middle School in 2008.

    alexandercates@islandschool.org
  • Megan Platt

    Megan Platt

    Megan joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation in June 2021, bringing experience in program management and development, volunteer coordination, and fundraising. Megan began her nonprofit career in Buffalo, NY where she focused on local community development efforts. In 2017, she moved to Philadelphia, and worked with United By Blue, leading their large-scale waterway cleanup operations. She is a graduate of Houghton College, where she earned her BA in Communications and Business Administration. Megan is excited to be part of the Foundation team and to enhance the alumni experience for all Cape Eleuthera Island School alumni.

    meganplatt@islandschool.org
  • Courtney Brady

    Courtney Brady

    Courtney is an accomplished fundraising professional who brings a vast portfolio of experiences to the Cape Eleuthera Foundation.  She has successfully led development initiatives for universities, independent schools, health care institutions, nonprofit, and community-based organizations.

    As director of the Duke University School of Law’s reunion fundraising program, Ms. Brady raised $3.5 million in gifts and pledges in two years.  As a major gift officer, she secured six-and seven-figure gifts and pledges as part of a $350 million University-wide scholarship initiative.  

    Ms. Brady has a passion for the ocean and protecting our natural resources.  She is an avid scuba diver, carries certifications in reef renewal and shark awareness, and holds a master’s degree in Marine Science from Unity College.  She is a volunteer scuba diver for the South Carolina Aquarium where she performs animal husbandry and education roles in the deepest tank in North America.

    A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Lawrenceville School, Ms. Brady is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Lowcountry Chapter (SC), and sits of several ocean-related non profit and for profit boards.  She lives in Charleston, SC with her husband, Matt, their two daughters, Izzy and Lillie, and their two dogs.

    courtneybrady@islandschool.org
  • Molly Scherner

    Molly Scherner

    Molly grew up outside of Portland, Oregon, then moved to Bozeman, Montana to pursue an education and her love for the outdoors at Montana State University (MSU). Upon graduation, Molly began her career in admissions at MSU, where she supported students throughout their admissions processes and expanded postsecondary opportunities for rural students across Montana. As a passionate advocate for improving access to education, Molly pursued her graduate studies in higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, and has since continued her work in admissions in Philadelphia. She is ecstatic to continue supporting students through her role with the Cape Eleuthera Foundation, while helping them gain access to all of the transformative learning experiences that The Island School has to offer.

    mollyscherner@islandschool.org
  • Tahlia Maron

    Tahlia Maron

    Tahlia, originally from Charlestown, Rhode Island, has nurtured a deep, lifelong connection to the ocean. Her passion for exploration has taken her to numerous countries around the world, enriching her understanding of diverse cultures and herself. After relocating to Philadelphia to earn her Master’s in Social Work at Temple University, Tahlia dedicated her career to serving as a clinician and advocate, supporting children and families across the city. Now, Tahlia is excited to channel her experience, skills, and enthusiasm into a new role in admissions, where she aims to guide and support students as they embark on a transformative journey with The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Foundation.

    tahliamaron@islandschool.org

Board of Directors

  • Will Nystrom

    Will Nystrom

    Will and his wife Suzanne are super proud parents of three Island School daughters: Maddie Spring 15, Lilly Fall 15 and Hazel Spring 20 and Spring 21. Will is a founder of the Boston-based law firm Nystrom, Beckman & Paris, LLC, specializing in representing victims of financial fraud. He is active at St Andrews Church in Wellesley Ma and currently serves as Senior Warden. Will also is a director of Active Kids + Minds, a functional fitness program powered by volunteers currently in over 12,000 schools in the US, Canada and abroad. Outside of work, Will enjoys family time, CrossFit, soccer, skiing, and his latest obsession, golf.

  • Dominique Keefe

    Dominique Keefe

    Dominique attended The Island School Semester in Spring 2007 and has stayed connected to CEF and IS since, first returning for her brother’s Family Weekend when he attended the Semester in F08. Dominique’s professional work focuses on climate and investing for impact. She has spent most of her career so far in renewable energy infrastructure investment, previously doing community solar M&A at NRG in San Francisco, where she helped build this new business unit for the company. Dominique also worked in the Power & Renewables investment banking coverage group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York, and more recently has worked with venture firm Harlem Capital and Closed Loop Partners’ private equity fund focused on the circular economy. Dominique holds a B.A. in Biology from Barnard College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

  • Christopher Norris

    Christopher Norris

    Christopher “Kit” Norris attended The Island School Semester during the spring of 2008 and later returned to serve as an Alumni Mentor during the summer of 2011. Kit attended Colgate University, where he graduated in 2013 with a degree in Environmental Biology. Since then, Kit has worked in investment banking – first at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and currently at Evercore, where he focuses on special situation private capital raising. Kit helps organize alumni functions for Island Schoolers in the greater New York City area and is an active member of City Squash, an academic and athletic after-school enrichment program in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Kit and his wife, Susanna, live in New York City with their dog, Chester.

  • Bill Bohnsack

    Bill Bohnsack

    Currently residing in Darien, CT, Bill is an Island School Semester parent of Charlie S17. He serves as President of Oak Hill Advisors, a global alternative investment firm with headquarters in New York City where he has been a member of the senior team since 1993. Bill’s other current foundation work includes serving on the board of trustees of the Darien Land Trust.

  • Gigi Anderson

    Gigi Anderson

    Georgianna ‘Gigi’ Anderson attended The Island School Semester in Spring 2011 where she was elected by her peers as the S11 semester cacique. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2016 with a B.A. in English and Environmental Studies. Gigi is currently living in San Francisco and working with Headspace Health, an accessible mental healthcare platform, as a Senior Customer Experience and Advocacy Manager. Gigi previously worked in marketing communications at Acquia, a technology provider specializing in open source and cloud solutions. Gigi has served as a reunion and fundraising committee member for the Noble and Greenough School, in addition to serving as a founding member of The Tide, The New England Aquarium’s community of young professionals. She joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation Board of Directors as an Alumni Director in 2018 and ended her term in 2020. The Island School continues to be a beloved institution for Gigi’s entire family, including her sister, Noelle S13. 

  • Mary Kate Barnes

    Mary Kate Barnes

    Mary Kate is Assistant Headmaster and Director of Advancement at The Lawrenceville School where she oversees all fundraising and alumni engagement activities. Over 28 years she has partnered with headmasters and trustees to amplify the School’s endowment and renew the physical plant and Olmstead landscape. Along the way she also raised three daughters, Emma S09, Kelley, and Meg S17. She is a proud aunt to Tess S14, Emmett S17, and Ava S19. Mary Kate graduated from Bowdoin College and has served in numerous volunteer capacities including chair of reunions and The Alumni Council. In 2010 she joined the Cape Eleuthera Foundation Board. Mary Kate and her husband Dave live in Lawrenceville, NJ.

  • Jessica Baylor

    Jessica Baylor

    Jessica attended the Island School Semester in Fall 2002. Jessica is a Program Officer at the Klarman Family Foundation and has experience across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors in a variety of human resources and philanthropic-related roles. Jessica has a certificate from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) and earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Change Management from the New School and a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and French from the College of Wooster. Jessica is on the YWCA Newburyport Board of Directors, the Steering Committee for the Boston Chapter of EPIP (Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy), the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Alliance for the City of Newburyport and serves on the Graduate Council and the Grads of Color Committee for the Noble and Greenough School. She lives with her family in Newburyport, MA.

  • Carter Brown

    Carter Brown

    Carter is currently the Assistant Director of Principal and Major Gifts at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. Prior to this, he worked in development at the Clean Air Council. He is a former student (S09), CEI intern (2013-2014), and faculty member (2015-2016) of The Island School. Carter graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2015 with a BA in Environmental Studies. From 2015-2021 he served as a Trustee of The HBE Foundation Irrevocable Trust, founded by his father, Bruce Brown, and in December of 2022 he was recruited into the Dana-Farber Division of Philanthropy’s ID&E Council.

  • William C. Carey

    William C. Carey

    Bill has had a long and rewarding career in the financial services industry. He is a 1982 graduate of Bates College and had the privilege of serving for ten years on the Board of Trustees for the college. His wife Scarlett, their three children, and daughter-in-law also attended Bates. In addition, Bill is the proud Island School Semester parent of Charlie F06, Maggie S08, and Lilly F13. Bill and Scarlett reside in Lincoln, Massachusetts and Kennebunk, Maine.

  • Ande Frost

    Ande Frost

    Ande is an Island School Semester parent of Chelsey S09, Read S13, and James F14 and has been an active member in our community through the years. She lives in Narragansett, RI with her family and also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees at the Rocky Hill School in East Greenwich, RI.

  • Andrew Harris

    Andrew Harris

    Andrew is the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Director for Finance and Budget Administration joined the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. He is a senior level financial and operational leader with 30 years of experience in the higher education, nonprofit, and government sectors. Prior to joining the museum, Andrew served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Roosevelt University in Chicago where he helped to strengthen the university’s financial position, upgrade the bond outlook, return the university to profitability, and double the school’s endowment fund to over $160 million. As Chief Financial Officer of the University of North Texas and the UNT System, he was named CFO of the Year for the public sector by the Dallas Business Journal.

  • Benjamin Hone

    Benjamin Hone

    Ben is Director of Client Services at IPG Media Lab in New York, where he educates and advises clients on virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and other innovation trends. IPG Media Lab identifies and researches innovations and trends that will change the media landscape and how brands engage with their audiences. Prior to his work in media, Benjamin worked as an Equity Specialist at Merrill Lynch. He is a S04 Semester alumnus and holds a B.A. from the University of Miami.

  • Brian S. Lee

    Brian S. Lee

    Brian Sanghee Lee attended the Fall 2008 Semester at The Island School and was honored as the Cacique of his class. Brian is passionate about empowering students to access a global education. Previously, he has conducted education research in rural China under a Fulbright-Hays grant. After graduating from Swarthmore College with a BA in Psychology, he went on to complete his MA in China Studies at Zhejiang University. Brian then joined Whittle School & Studios, helping to launch their global boarding programs in Shenzhen and Washington D.C. In addition to advising startups on global strategy, he now directs an online life coaching program designed to develop self-awareness and teach cross-cultural communication to students. He was named a 2014 Project Pengyou Leadership Fellow and speaks English, Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.

  • Amy Richardson

    Amy Richardson

    Amy Richardson is a consultant, most recently to Bloomberg Philanthropies, exploring the unmet needs of military-connected children and to Room to Read, a nonprofit organization that works to improve literacy and gender equality in education in the developing world. Previously, Amy was a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation for ten years, where she conducted research in healthcare and education, particularly for the Army. Amy has three daughters who have attended the Island School Semester, Lilah F16, Tess F18 McCormick and Ava F20.

  • David Taft

    David Taft

    David is an Island School Semester parent of Krissy S09, Sarah S13, and Haley S15. He is the President of IBS Capital LLC, a private investment company based in Boston, Massachusetts, which he founded in 1990. Prior to founding IBS Capital LLC, he spent ten years working in corporate finance with Drexel Burnham Lambert, Winthrop Financial, and Merrill Lynch. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

  • Julie Vasquez Ukpong

    Julie Vasquez Ukpong

    Julie Ukpong is an innovative educator and student advocate driving academic success, college completion, career readiness, and social-emotional development. Born and raised in New York City and the product of public education, Julie has dedicated her professional career to serving historically underserved communities primarily in the not-for-profit education sector. Currently, she serves as the Director of Academic Success & Experiential Education at Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York. More than promoting academic success, her drive resides in indwelling seeds of curiosity, vision, grit, and compassion. It is with pride and confidence that she annually encourages her scholars to attend The Island School, as she has witnessed first-hand the positive impacts this program has had on the scholars she serves. After her scholars complete their stay, it is clear these seeds have bloomed. Julie is eager to join the board and expand her impact on The Island School community through her lens of equity, inclusion, and holistic education.


Annual Report Archive


FAQs

What role does Cape Eleuthera Foundation play in The Island School’s success?

The Cape Eleuthera Foundation 501(c)3 is the primary grantor for Cape Eleuthera Island School (The Island School). Contributions support the financial health of The Island School to enhance student scholarships, faculty and staff opportunities, and the resources needed to support all Island School programs each and every year. CEF’s support closes the gap between operating expenses and funds received from tuition and endowment income. Through your generosity, our dedication to positively effect change continues. 

Can I choose where my gift goes?

Unless specifically designated, all contributions made to the Foundation are considered unrestricted funds that will be used to support the mission of the organization. You can learn more about our areas of impact here, including endowed and planned gifts. Endowed gifts are pivotal to ensuring a financially sustainable future for the Cape Eleuthera Foundation. Endowment funds are invested to grow over time as they generate annual income, providing an important source of permanent funding to support the mission of the Cape Eleuthera Foundation.

When is the best time to donate?

Any time you feel inclined to donate is the best time to donate! Unrestricted Annual Fund support is necessary funding that contributes to programs at The Island School year-round. Additionally, the Foundation holds fundraising campaigns throughout the year for alumni, family, and friends of The Island School.

How do I make a gift?

Visit our online giving page to make a gift by credit card, Venmo or Paypal. We can also help facilitate a gift made by check, credit card, wire transfer, and security gifts of stock or mutual funds. Planned gifts, including bequest intentions and beneficiary designations, also allow a donor to establish their legacy and support of CEF in perpetuity.

Can my company match my gift?

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company is eligible, request and fill out a form and send or email it to us with your contribution. We are happy to work with you to increase the impact of your gift.

Will I receive a tax receipt?

You will receive a tax receipt for your donation by email. Please reach out to us at donations@islandschool.org with any questions.

How do I sign up for recurring giving?

When giving online, you can select “Make a recurring gift” under your payment amount. This will automatically bill your form of payment each month for as many months or years as you designate. If you would like to sign up for recurring giving from another platform, please reach out to us at donations@islandschool.org to set up a formal pledge agreement. 

Can I donate goods or services?

Personal Property/Gifts-in-Kind may be accepted as long as the property donated has tangible value to the Foundation. Donors receive credit for the fair market value of their in-kind gift only if they provide a qualified independent appraisal or IRS Form 8283 indicating that they have obtained an appraisal to substantiate their charitable deduction. Appraisal costs are the responsibility of the donor. Please contact our office if you are interested in learning more about gifts-in-kind.