Construction Underway on new NCEF Permanent Home

Construction Underway on new Naples Children & Education Foundation Permanent Headquarters Deepening the Organization’s Roots within the Local Community

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the highly successful Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF),announced that construction has begun on its 15,000-square-foot permanent headquarters and the community is invited to track the construction team’s progress as it is updated once a week via social media.

The two-story building is being constructed on property purchased by NCEF in the Eagle View Professional Parkon Goodlette-Frank Road, just north of Golden Gate Parkway. The building will serve as home to NCEF’s operations which provide an annual average $10-million investment in community programs serving more than 45,000 of the most vulnerable children in Collier County.

“This will truly be a building erected through the generosity of our community for the betterment of our community,” said NCEF Chief Executive Officer Maria Jimenez-Lara. “As such, we felt it was appropriate for the entire community to be able to go online and enjoy watching the walls being constructed, the roof being raised and other progress as this building comes to fruition.”

NCEF has partnered with developers Alex and Fred Pezeshkan, local general contractor DeAngelis Diamond Construction, and John Cooney and Randall Stofft of the award-winning architectural firm Stofft Cooney Architects on the project. Construction on the site began in June.

A webcam on the property shows the initial progress as the building begins to take shape. Updates will be posted by NCEF each week to social media such as Facebook (Naples Children & Education Foundation – Naples Winter Wine Festival @NCEFNWWF). The building is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in April 2020, after the 20th anniversary NWWF.

Since its inception in 2000, NCEF has evolved into a major philanthropic force in Collier County with 137 Trustees, 12 employees and over 300 volunteers. NCEF also has broadened its role over the years from traditional grant-making to local charities on an annual basis by adding seven strategic initiatives to fill gaps in children’s services and develop long-term collaborative solutions.

NCEF has become the single largest source of funding for essential services for at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County. The new headquarters building will further develop a central hub for child well being forums, educational seminars, training and non-profit development.

“Construction of this new permanent headquarters is a significant milestone for NCEF as the premier supporter of children’s physical, emotional and education services in Collier County,” said Paul Hills, Capital Campaign Co-Chair and NCEF Trustee. “We are excited to put down long-term roots within the community helping to ensure support for future generations of children.”

The stylish, efficient headquarters building will offer a large board room that will be the future hub for NWWFand community needs planning sessions. There also will be staff offices, conference rooms and a resource center which can be utilized as meeting space for local non-profit groups.

Naming opportunities associated with private support of the new headquarters building and the associated “Onward and Upward” Capital Campaign are still available. Individuals and/or organizations interested in supporting the campaign may contact NCEF Chief Executive Officer Maria Jimenez-Lara, at 239-514-2239 or send an e-mail to: maria@napleswinefestival.com.

About Naples Children & Education Foundation

The Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is improving the educational, emotional and health outcomes of underprivileged and at-risk children. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCEF has impacted over 45 of the most effective nonprofits in the community, providing 275,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel. NCEF’s unique approach, which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community, one issue at a time.

About Naples Winter Wine Festival

The Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in private homes and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised more than $191 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

For additional information on the Naples Children & Education Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival, contact Lisa Juliano at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-514-2239.

 

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