Naples Children & Education Foundation | Naples Children & Education Foundation

Naples Children & Education Foundation
- - The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) was established in 2000 with the vision of making a profound and sustaining difference in the lives of children in Collier County.
    About The NCEF
- - Explore the Naples Children & Education Foundation
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Naples Winter Wine Festival
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    The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans. This ranking by the Luxury Institute is based on exclusivity, quality and prestige.
    About the Festival
- - Explore the Naples Winter Wine Festival
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News & Galleries
- - Press Inquiries
    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
    239-325-2972
    
    Clay ConePR Consultant, Cone Communications
    239-398-9268
    For the press
- - Explore Our News & Galleries
  - - Mar. 182025
      NCEF awards over $34M to nearly 50 non-profits in Collier County
    - Mar. 182025
      A record year of grants by Naples Children & Education Foundation: $34 mill...
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Mar. 242025

2025 Grant Awards Ceremony

Photo Credit: Tony Zollo

Feb. 102025

2025 Meet the Kids Day

Photo Credits: Mila Bridger, Sharon Mammano, Louis Venne, Lane Wilkinson and Tony Zollo

Jan. 182025

2025 MTKD Photo Booth

Backdrop provided by: Masquerade & Balloons Galore

Nov. 112024

2024 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch

Apr. 222024

NCEF Early Childhood Development Center Ribbon Cutting

Apr. 182024

An Evening with Jay Wright

Photo Credit: Lane Wilkinson

Mar. 202024

2024 Grant Awards Ceremony

Photo Credit: Tony Zollo

Jan. 302024

2024 Meet the Kids Day

Photo Credits: Lane Wilkinson, Louis Venne and Tony Zollo

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, The Great Gatsby. 🎭 Hosted by: Kathy & Dan Mezzalingua with Carol & John Walter at the home of Sandra & Alan Gerry. Vintners: Ariel & Christopher Jackson of Stonestreet Estate Vineyards in Healdsburg, California. Chefs: Douglas Keane and Josh Gaulin of Cyrus in Geyserville, California. Party Planner: Pamela Beckman of BonSoiree.

Through the Mental Health Initiative, NCEF has uni

Through the Mental Health Initiative, NCEF has united key providers across Collier County to shift mental health care toward an integrated primary care model. This collaboration enhances service coordination and builds a true continuum of care—so no child falls through the cracks.
Whether through school referrals, primary care visits, direct patient outreach or partner connections, our providers are expanding access to mental health support for youth. Together, we’re creating a system where no young person feels alone or unheard when struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges.
We’re especially grateful to our Mental Health Initiative partners—@davidlawrencecenters Golisano Children’s Hospital @gch_swfl Healthcare Network @healthcareswfl and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital @nicklaus4kids —for their ongoing collaboration and commitment to the mental wellness of Collier County’s youth.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #support #youth #community

41.2% of Collier County middle and high school stu

41.2% of Collier County middle and high school students report feeling depressed or sad most days over the past year—a powerful indicator of the mental health crisis facing our youth.
Even more alarming, 12.8% of middle school students say they have made a suicide plan, and 14.1% have seriously considered attempting suicide.
These numbers reflect the growing emotional challenges many students face due to academic pressure, social media, trauma and lack of access to care. It's a call to action for our community to prioritize early intervention, accessible mental health services and support systems in schools and beyond.
#NCEF #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #community #services #collaboration #CollierCounty

Together, we can ensure that every child grows up

Together, we can ensure that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment, where they can thrive and reach their full potential. It’s ALL for the Kids.

Halfway to the weekend, fully into the wine. Happy

Halfway to the weekend, fully into the wine. Happy #WineWednesday !

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Celebrate the Journey. Hosted by: Anne Welsh McNulty with Beth & Jeff Wessel. Vintner: Giovanni Gaja of GAJA in Barbaresco, Italy. Chef: David Nayfeld of Che Fico in San Francisco, California. Photographer: @luminairefoto
Vintner: #gajawinery
Chef:@chefico
Planning | Design: @margaretevents
Florals: @tomtrovatoeventfloraldesign
Entertainment: @somethingmajorband
Rentals: @party_time_rentals_naples
Paper Suite: @thepapermerchant
Cheers!

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children provides s

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children provides safety, intervention, education and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence. With NCEF’s support, their Primary Prevention programs are creating a future where children and youth learn to build peaceful, nonviolent relationships.
Through programs like Raising Gentle’men (RG), boys are taught that strength comes from compassion, not control. Teen Programs empower middle and high school students to recognize abuse, understand healthy relationships and create safety plans. The Hands Are for Helping Program, featured in these images, educates the community, shifts mindsets and reduces the likelihood of future violence by fostering lasting behavioral change.
By investing in prevention, education and awareness, we can help stop the cycle before it starts.

From lavish travels to unique dining experiences a

From lavish travels to unique dining experiences and superb wine collections, the numbers generated during the 25-year history of the Naples Winter Wine Festival all add up to success for the most vulnerable children in Collier County. Figures compiled from the Festival’s first quarter century tell the story of generous giving with maximum impact. It’s ALL for the Kids!
#NCEF #NaplesFL #CollierCounty

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Destiny Decanted: Celebrating 25 Years of Vintage Moments. ✨ Hosted by: Simone & Scott Lutgert with Joan & Bob Clifford. Vintners: Ann Colgin & Joe Wender of Colgin Cellars in St. Helena, California. Chef: Josiah Citrin of@melisserestaurant and @citrinla in Santa Monica, California. Cheers!

More than 15 million children in the U.S. have exp

More than 15 million children in the U.S. have experienced domestic violence in their homes, putting them at greater risk of repeating the cycle—either by entering abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. Boys who witness their mother being abused are 10 times more likely to abuse their partners as adults, while girls raised in abusive homes are six times more likely to experience sexual abuse.
The impact doesn’t stop there—children who experience or witness violence face a higher risk of mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, as well as long-term health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
No child should have to grow up in fear. By raising awareness, providing resources, and supporting survivors, we can break the cycle and create a safer future for all children.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildAdvocacy #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BreaktheCycle #support

Thanks to the efforts of NCEF beneficiaries within

Thanks to the efforts of NCEF beneficiaries within our Child Advocacy service category, we’re seeing real change — a 20% decrease in dependency cases involving child abuse, neglect or abandonment. These organizations provide critical support for our community’s most vulnerable children, offering:� 🏠 Emergency shelter� 📋 Case management� 🧠 Various forms of counseling/mentoring� ⚖️ Legal advocacy� 🛍️ Basic needs & more
Together, we’re creating safer, more stable futures for children in Collier County. Thank you to our partners for making this impact possible! #NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildAdvocacy #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #support

Launched in 2012, the Legal Aid for Collier Kids P

Launched in 2012, the Legal Aid for Collier Kids Project provides free legal services to protect abused, neglected, abandoned and special needs children in Collier County. With NCEF’s support, @legalaidservicecolliercounty ensures at-risk children receive the safety, health and educational resources they deserve.
This life-changing program helps children by:� 🔹 Securing safe placements for those in dependency & foster care� 🔹 Providing legal custody for non-parental caregivers� 🔹 Protecting victims of domestic violence, child abuse & sexual violence� 🔹 Ensuring special needs children receive the support they are legally entitled to in school
Through the power of the legal process, this program transforms lives and provides a pathway to safety and stability.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildAdvocacy #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #support