Florida Gulf Coast University Receives $100,000 Grant

Florida Gulf Coast University Receives $100,000 Grant from PNC Foundation to Establish Outdoor Classroom at NCEF Early Childhood Development Center

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has received a $100,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to create an innovative outdoor classroom at the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) Early Childhood Development Center. The project will extend learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) concepts into a nature-based environment designed for early learners.

Grant funds will be used to renovate the existing outdoor play space and purchase dedicated STEAM activity equipment. Construction is expected to conclude this fall. Once complete, the new classroom will serve more than 90 children in Collier County, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years.

“In FGCU’s College of Education, we believe the earliest years of a child’s life set the stage for future success,” said Diana Cheshire, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. “PNC’s generous support helps us develop innovative spaces where curiosity thrives, creativity is nurtured, and families and educators are championed. We are truly grateful for this partnership and its lasting impact on our community.”

Funding for this project was made possible through PNC’s signature philanthropic initiative, PNC Grow Up Great®, a $500 million bilingual initiative that helps prepare children from birth through age 5 for success in school and life, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of PNC Grow Up Great in 2024, efforts focused on outdoor play and learning, including a dedicated grant pool to help build or refresh nature-based play and learning spaces across PNC markets coast-to-coast.

“We are proud to join FGCU and NCEF in bringing this important resource to Collier County families,” said Chad Loar, PNC regional president for West and Central Florida. “The addition of this outdoor classroom creates an early and essential opportunity to enhance the development of children in our community, helping them establish a lifelong love of learning and a foundation for future success.”

Studies show that outdoor physical activity involving play on a regular basis is crucial for child development. When children have opportunities to explore and learn outdoors, they learn collaboration, problem-solving and social skills. Physical activity also helps children be more attentive and engaged during non-play hours.

“At NCEF, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early learning experiences that support healthy development and lifelong success,” said Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF). “This outdoor classroom represents an exciting opportunity to expand learning beyond four walls—nurturing curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in a natural setting. We are proud to partner with FGCU and PNC to invest in a brighter future for the most vulnerable children in our community.”

Located on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College – Collier County (FSW), the NCEF Early Childhood Development Center implements a research-based early childhood curriculum that includes language arts, early literacy, dramatic play, music, art, science and large and small motor skill development activities through integrated experiences, developmentally appropriate to each child’s age and stage of development.

The 10,519-square-foot facility is designed specifically for early childhood education with seven classrooms, a large motor room and an open atrium area for arts education. It was originally built in 2007, but closed in 2018 due to programmatic changes at FSW. The facility reopened in 2024 following a $2 million renovation and operations grant from NCEF.

The NCEF Early Childhood Development Center is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and is a Gold Seal Program certified by the State of Florida Southwest Early Learning Coalition. It is one of two Early Childhood Development Centers overseen by the FGCU College of Education.

About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500-million, multiyear initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.

About the FGCU College of Education
The College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs focused on student success and community enhancement. With a commitment to excellence, the college provides comprehensive degrees in PreK-12 education, instructional design, school counseling, higher education, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. Embracing educational innovation, our faculty and students engage in cutting-edge research and technology integration, preparing graduates to lead in their fields. Our dedication to community collaboration is evident through the college’s two early childhood development centers, serving as learning labs for our students, and engagement with alumni and other stakeholders to promote transformative education. Nationally accredited by CAEP and ASCA, the College of Education ensures rigorous standards and quality education.

About Naples Children & Education Foundation
The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), 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 close to 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 350,000 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.