Naples Children Foundation Announces 2026 Special Fund a Need Focus

Naples Children Foundation Announces 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival
Special Fund a Need Focus on Children’s Healthcare – “The Picture of Health”

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), today announced that its annual Fund a Need for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival will focus on children’s healthcare, addressing critical gaps in access to mental health, oral health, vision and primary healthcare services.

Every dollar raised for this special call to action live auction lot named “The Picture of Health” will support NCF’s comprehensive approach toward opening the door to essential healthcare at an early age and ensuring that local children receive the critical resources and services needed for them to grow and thrive. Without help, these children endure unnecessary pain, fall behind in school and too often end up in emergency rooms for conditions that could have been prevented.

Established in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival offers three days of the very best in wine and food and ranks as one of the most successful international charity wine auctions in the world, raising more than $336 million for children in need in Collier County. At the 2026 Festival, patrons will have the chance to show their support through an exhilarating live auction on Saturday, January 31st, while supporters who are unable to attend the Festival can make a direct gift to NCF or participate through an online auction from Friday, January 23rd to Tuesday, February 3rd.

NCF recognizes a child’s ability to learn and thrive is deeply connected to their health and well-being. It’s about nurturing the whole child-ensuring they have access to essential healthcare that supports not only their physical health, but also their academic success, emotional growth and future potential. That’s why, for this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival, the Foundation is placing a special emphasis on children’s healthcare through its annual Fund a Need initiative.

“Every day in Collier County, children face heartbreaking health challenges,” said 2026 NWWF Co-Chair Nena Beynon. “Without a foundation of good health, there is no future.”

Together, we can fill in the gaps and provide the essential resources that children in Collier County need to overcome the current realities they face. Here are some startling statistics:

• Mental Health: From 2017 to 2022, there was a 100 percent increase in suicide deaths among Collier County children aged 10–19.

• Oral Health: 80 percent of children screened through the NCF Pediatric Oral Health Initiative had tooth decay due to a lack of treatment.

• Vision: Up to 85 percent of Title I* and at-risk students have undiagnosed or untreated vision problems, affecting how they learn, grow and thrive.

(*Title I refers to schools with high numbers or high percentages of children who are disadvantaged)

• Primary Health Care: 65 percent of Collier County Public Schools students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, showing that over half of children come from low-income families facing barriers like limited awareness, transportation and access to care.

“Donations to our 2026 Fund a Need will open the door to essential care – primary, oral, vision and mental health services that catch problems early and restore children’s well-being,” said Sue Bieker, NCF Trustee and 2026 Grant Committee Chair. “With our patrons’ generosity, barriers come down and every child has the chance to grow up as the true Picture of Health.”

Every dollar raised through “The Picture of Health” auction lot will go to support NCF’s strategic initiatives to focus on the future of children in our community. To learn more about NCF’s impact in supporting local children, visit www.napleschildrenfoundation.org. For additional information on the Naples Winter Wine Festival or to make a donation, visit www.napleswinefestival.com.

About Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), 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 elegant, private homes and other landmark settings throughout Naples 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 $336 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.

For additional information on the Naples Winter Wine Festival, contact Lisa Juliano, SVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production, at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-325-2972.

About Naples Children Foundation

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable children in Collier County. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCF has impacted nearly 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 385,000 children with the services and resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions, NCF supports programs that ensure every child can thrive. NCF’s unique approach, which bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community–one issue at a time.