Transforming Lives
- Clay W. Cone
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
NCF Invests Over $30.6 Million in Local Nonprofits
The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the world-renowned Naples Winter Wine Festival, 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.
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.
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