NCEF Invests a Record Amount of over $34 Million

Naples Children & Education Foundation Invests a Record Over $34 Million in Organizations Supporting Underprivileged and At-Risk Children in Collier County

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, has invested a record over $34 million in close to 50 non-profit organizations supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. This includes $8 million to drive enrichment and expansion of early learning opportunities.

Each year, NCEF supports local non-profits through the proceeds of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. This year’s investment in future generations includes funding traditional grants of $6.7 million and $16.5 million for NCEF multi-year strategic initiatives that fill fundamental gaps in local children’s services, plus another $2.9million in future projects and strategic initiatives.

In addition to funding traditional grants and multi-year strategic initiatives, NCEF has invested $8 million in a new Early Learning Enrichment and Expansion Program to drive systemic change in Collier County, ensuring more children in the community have access to high-quality education.

“Our supporters showed an incredible amount of generosity at the 25th anniversary Naples Winter Wine Festival, allowing us to have a further profound and sustaining impact on underprivileged and at-risk children in our community,” said Stephanie Pezeshkan, 2024-25 NCEF Grant Committee Chair. “By investing in the most effective organizations, we ensure that our dollars drive meaningful change, improving lives and strengthening communities for the long term.”

This year, a total of 32 non-profit organizations received traditional grants, plus17additional agencies that help fill critical needs in the community by taking part in NCEF’s multi-partner, multi-year strategic initiatives focusing specifically on early learning, healthcare and out-of-school time.

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

To lay the foundation for the new Early Learning Program, NCEF commissioned the Florida Chamber Foundation to conduct a comprehensive study, identifying critical needs, strategic recommendations and best practices. Guided by this data-driven approach, funds will support such things as infrastructure improvements, staff salaries and program enhancements.

“This significant investment in early learning aims to close persistent gaps in early childhood education and marks the start of a transformative initiative to create lasting impact for children and families in our community,” said Maria Jimenez-Lara, Chief Executive Officer of NCEF.

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.

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