Naples Children Foundation Invests More Than $30.6 Million in Nonprofits

Naples Children Foundation Invests More Than $30.6 Million in Nonprofits Supporting the Most Vulnerable Children in Collier County

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the world-renowned Naples Winter Wine Festival, today is proud to announce that it has invested more than $30.6 million in approximately 50 local nonprofit organizations to help fund essential resources and services benefitting the most vulnerable children in Collier County.

Each year, NCF supports dozens of nonprofits through the proceeds of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. This year’s investment in future generations includes $7.6 million in traditional grants and $15.3 million for NCF multi-year strategic initiatives that fill fundamental gaps in local children’s services, plus an additional $7.7 million in future projects and strategic initiatives.

“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, we are able to invest in proven programs that transform the lives of vulnerable children in Collier County,” said Sue Bieker, 2026 NCF Grant Committee Chair. “We are incredibly proud that every dollar raised under the tent of our live auction goes right back into the local community.”

This year, a total of 33 nonprofits received traditional funding grants, plus 10 additional agencies that help fill critical needs in the community by taking part in NCF’s multi-partner, multi-year strategic initiatives focusing specifically on hunger, oral health and vision. NCF also funded six special projects/out-of-cycle grants focused on early learning, healthcare and mental health.

NCF’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. Each NCF beneficiary is fully vetted and many utilize that process as a “Good Housekeeping Stamp of Approval.” The Blueprint Partner program builds upon that process.

“Our Blueprint Partner program is an endorsement of those strategic initiative partners who are able to have the greatest impact by leveraging resources, creating systems, aligning protocols and eliminating duplication of services,” said NCF Chief Executive Officer Maria Jimenez-Lara.

The following is a list of NCF 2026-2027 traditional beneficiaries and dollar amounts awarded:

Organization Award
ABLE Academy $ 190,000
Avow Kids $ 182,500
Better Together $ 200,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast $ 110,000
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County $ 690,000
Brighter Bites $ 100,000
Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation $ 75,000
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice $ 295,000
Champions for Learning $ 225,000
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County $ 1,079,000
Conservancy of Southwest Florida $ 50,000
First Tee – Naples/Collier $ 75,000
Fostering Success $ 415,000
Fun Time Early Childhood Academy $ 490,000
Grace Place for Children and Families $ 410,000
Legal Aid Service of Collier County $ 600,000
Literacy Collier $ 75,000
MusicScores Violin $ 55,000
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) – Bilingual Perinatal Community Educator $ 85,000
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) – Pediatric & Special Needs Specialist $ 44,000
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center $ 175,000
NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition $ 50,000
Pace Center for Girls $ 100,000
Project BUILD $ 50,000
Special Olympics Florida $ 127,500
St. Matthew’s House $ 100,000
STARability Foundation $ 80,000
The Salvation Army of Collier County $ 210,000
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children $ 150,000
United Arts Collier $ 85,000
Valerie’s House $ 200,000
YMCA of Collier County $ 375,000
Youth Haven $ 500,000

Total Traditional Funding $ 7,648,000

NCF Initiative Organizations and Blueprint Partners Initiative Organization Award

Hunger • Feeding Dreams
• Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida
• Meals of Hope
• Midwest Food Bank
• Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

Total 2026-2028 Funding $ 2,988,000

Oral Health • Healthcare Network
• University of Florida College of Dentistry

Total 2026-2029 Funding $ 5,700,000

Vision • Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
• Florida Lions Eye Clinic
• Lighthouse of Collier

Total 2026–2029 Funding $ 2,791,200

NCF Special Projects/Out-of-Cycle Grants
Early Learning Coalition of SWFL – Early Learning Subsidies $ 200,000
Florida Gulf Coast University – NCF Early Childhood Development Center $ 600,000
Healthcare Network – Manatee Middle School Based Programming (2026-2028) $ 640,000
Healthcare Network – Van Domelen Community Health Center $ 123,100
University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Pediatric – UF Pediatric Diabetes Prevention and Screening in Collier County $ 250,000
Capacity Building – Mental Health Registered Interns $ 2,000,000

Total Special Projects/Out-of-Cycle Grants Funding $ 3,813,100

2026-2027 Traditional Grants $ 7,648,000.00
Multi-Year Strategic Initiatives $ 15,292,300.00
Future Projects & Strategic Initiatives $ 7,666,350.00

Total 2026-2027 Funding $ 30,606,650.00

About Naples Children Foundation

The Naples Children Foundation, 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.

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 $366 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.

For additional information on the Naples Children Foundation, please contact Jacqueline Wickert at j.wickert@napleschildrenfoundation.org or 239-325-3187.

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