Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation Commits $500,000

Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation Commits $500,000 to Better Together to Help Southwest Florida Families Grow and Find Long-Term Stability

The Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation is pleased to announce that it has committed $500,000 to Better Together to help the non-profit organization establish an endowment dedicated to helping Southwest Florida families in crisis stay together, grow and find long-term stability.

The commitment came during Better Together’s annual “Night of Million Dreams” gala on February 27, 2026 in the Grand Lawn Pavilion of The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. With the theme Made to Flourish, the evening featured stories of hope, generous giving, live and silent auctions, and wild dueling pianos.

Founded in 2015, Better Together is a Naples-based nonprofit that helps parents who are going through a hard time to keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. The nonprofit’s programming has rapidly expanded to reach families in six regions of Florida, which span 48 counties across the state.

In announcing the commitment to establishing the Better Together endowment, George A. Wilson, Trustee of the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation, said, “Better Together proves that with the right support system, families can overcome crises. Thank you for matching the commitment. Thank you for believing in this vision and thank you for standing behind the work of Better Together.”

Wilson further encouraged matching funds and at the end of the evening several families were kind enough to match the $500,000 donation, meaning the endowment fund will start with $1 million plus.

Wilson’s daughter, Whitney Schadler, noted that these additional contributions will significantly extend the impact of this visionary gift. “An endowment means sustainability,” Schadler said. “It means stability. It means that when a desperate parent reaches out years from now, someone will answer them.”

About the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation: Founded in 2023, the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation is a private family foundation that primarily funds charitable activities through grants. Over the years, it has supported local nonprofits benefitting children, the environment, cancer research and women’s initiatives. It also is involved in the community through support of local events and initiatives.

About Better Together: A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program addresses the 76% of families that come to it because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners.