Naples Children Foundation unveils new branding expanding its mission

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), formerly known as the Naples Children & Education Foundation, today announced a new streamlined name, the launch of a new NCF website and the creation of a new logo - all part of a simpler and bolder brand identity and a continued commitment to meet the growing and expanding needs of Collier County’s most vulnerable children.

These enhancements mark a significant milestone in the organization’s 25-year journey of creating lasting impact—and reinforce its role as the driving force behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF).

As part of this evolution, NCF is expanding its outreach to engage even more community members and further broaden its donor base — ensuring the foundation can meet the scale of needs across the Southwest Florida region and respond with urgency to critical gaps in child advocacy, education, and healthcare.

Long known for its annual fundraising event, NCF has historically shared its digital presence with the NWWF. Its new website, napleschildrenfoundation.org, provides a dedicated platform that brings the foundation’s mission to life—telling the full year-round story of how NCF creates measurable results that empower children, strengthen families, and transform communities.   

Remaining fully committed to presenting one of the world's most successful charity wine auctions, NCF’s strategic move includes a bold commitment to reaching beyond its historic base of NWWF supporters to engage new donors, community leaders, and advocates.

“Since our inception, we have impacted the lives of 385,000 vulnerable children in our community,” said Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of the Naples Children Foundation. “But today, the needs are greater than ever - and so is our commitment. This next chapter enables us to showcase the work we do and invite all members of our community to join a mission that shapes the future of Collier County. It is important to emphasize that this is not a shift in direction—it’s a declaration of who we have always been.”

The brand relaunch comes at a critical time, as Collier County experiences rapid population growth and increased pressure on the systems that serve children and families.

“This move comes after more than a year of strategic planning and involves much more than a name or logo change,” said Robert Heidt Jr., NCF Board Chairman.  “It is a renewed commitment - to clarity, to impact and to the belief that when a community comes together for its children, anything is possible.”

Since its inception, NCF has invested more than $336 million into nearly 90 of the community’s most effective non-profits—supporting collaborative programs that are changing the trajectory of children’s lives across the region. Along the way, NCF has evolved into the single largest source of funding for children’s social services in Collier County.

Key highlights of the new Naples Children Foundation website include:

• A spotlight on NCF’s four service categories and seven strategic initiatives

• A focus on collaborative, systemic change rather than traditional charity

• Powerful storytelling, impact data, and a direct invitation to get involved

“We are not just raising money,” said Valerie Boyd, NCF Co-Founder.  “We are strengthening our community—by setting higher standards, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that every investment leads to meaningful, measurable outcomes.”

---

The Naples Children Foundation invites the community to learn more about what’s possible when a community comes together for its children by visiting napleschildrenfoundation.org.