Naples Children & Education Foundation
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      NCEF awards over $34M to nearly 50 non-profits in Collier County
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      A record year of grants by Naples Children & Education Foundation: $34 mill...
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In the News & Press

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Jan. 242025

11

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s G

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s Grant Awards Ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón!
With the incredible support of our community and donors, the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, has invested over $34 million in nearly 50 nonprofits supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County.
This year’s investment includes $8 million to expand and enrich early learning opportunities, ensuring more children have access to high-quality education. Your generosity fuels meaningful change, strengthening our community for generations to come. It’s ALL for the Kids! Thank you to our Grant Awards Ceremony partner @goldmansachs 💙 Click the link in our bio to read the Press Release.

In 2022, 269 children were identified with visual

In 2022, 269 children were identified with visual difficulties—269 children who may have struggled to read a book, see the board in class or navigate their world with confidence.
Clear vision is more than just sight—it’s education, independence and opportunity. When a child can’t see properly, learning becomes a challenge, confidence can take a hit and simple tasks feel overwhelming. But with proper vision care, these children can thrive in school, engage with their peers and build a brighter future.
Every child deserves the vision care they need to learn, grow and succeed. Let’s keep making a difference.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and reach their full potential. NCEF’s Vision Initiative is committed to ensuring that children from low-income families receive the vision care they need to succeed.
Through @bascompalmereye students in Collier County’s low socio-economic schools receive vision screenings, comprehensive exams and two pairs of glasses if needed. When tertiary care is required, children are referred to an ophthalmologist either at Bascom Palmer or through partner @floridalionseyeclinic
Children with extreme vision loss are referred to @lighthouseofcollier whose children's programs empower youth living with blindness and vision impairment to increase their independence through experiences, education and socialization.
By working together, our partners strive to prevent students and children from falling through any cracks.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Everyone at NCEF was honored that our CEO, Maria J

Everyone at NCEF was honored that our CEO, Maria Jimenez-Lara, was featured on @kellyclarksonshow in Kelly’s "What I'm Liking" segment on March 4th! It was truly special to see our story shared on a national stage, highlighting the power of our community coming together to support children in need.
A huge thank you to everyone who continues to make this life-changing work possible!
If you missed it, you can watch the clip by clicking the link in our bio or searching “The Kelly Clarkson Show Naples Children & Education Foundation” on YouTube.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #KellyClarksonShow #WhatImLiking #25YearsofImpact

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one o

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Sailing from the Past to the Present to the Future ⛵️ Hosted by: Sue & Mike Bieker with Libby & Rick Germain. Honored Vintners: Constance & Louis-Michel Liger-Belair of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair in Burgundy, France and Vintner: Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, California. Chef: Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Event Planning: Margaret Events in Naples, FL. Cheers!

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and succeed. Through Blueprint Partner, @bascompalmereye vision care program, students in Collier County’s low socio-economic schools receive the essential eye care they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
In just four years, they have served 22,000 students from grades K-12, providing screenings, comprehensive exams, glasses and specialized tertiary care—all at no cost to families. Since 2020, 6,024 students have received two pairs of prescription glasses, and 1,292 have been referred for advanced care.
With funding from NCEF, they were able to launch of a mobile vision van, which brings critical eye care directly to children in Immokalee, East Naples and beyond, ensuring more students than ever get the treatment they need.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Clear Vision, Brighter Future! Did you know that u

Clear Vision, Brighter Future! Did you know that up to 85% of academically and behaviorally at-risk children have undetected or untreated vision problems? Yet, 2 out of 3 kids in the U.S. don’t receive preventative eye care before starting school.
For low-income and minority children, the barriers to vision care—lack of funding, access and follow-up treatment—put them at even greater risk. Without proper vision, learning becomes a struggle.
That’s why, through NCEF’s Vision Initiative, we are working to bridge this gap—identifying needs, providing screenings and ensuring children get the treatment they deserve. Because every child deserves to see their future clearly.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

In Case You Missed It! ✨ I was honored to be fea

In Case You Missed It! ✨ I was honored to be featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in Kelly’s "What I'm Liking" segment on March 4th! It was truly special to bring our story to a national stage and highlight the power of our community coming together to support children in need. Thank you to everyone who continues to make this life-changing work possible!
If you missed it, you can click the link in our bio, or watch the clip on The Kelly Clarkson Show’s YouTube page!

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

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Reflections of the Past, Celebrating the Future ☀️ Hosted by: Nena & Bill Beynon with Marilyn Scripps at the Northern Jet Hangar. Vintner: Alessia Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, Srl. in Tuscany, Italy. Chef: Ryan Pollnow of Flour+Water in San Francisco, California. Event Planning: Margaret Events. Cheers!

Passing the gift of generosity, one glass at a tim

Passing the gift of generosity, one glass at a time. Cheers to making a difference—Happy Wine Wednesday!! 🍷✨

Exciting news! NCEF CEO, Maria Jimenez-Lara, will

Exciting news! NCEF CEO, Maria Jimenez-Lara, will be featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show @kellyclarksonshow for Kelly’s segment "What I'm Liking." To find out where and when the show airs in your city, go to kellyclarksonshow.com/exclusives/where-to-watch.
Tune in to hear how NCEF has transformed the lives of 350,000 children over the past 25 years, thanks to the funds raised at the Naples Winter Wine Festival.
We are honored to share our story on a national stage and celebrate the power of a community coming together for children in need.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #KellyClarksonShow #WhatImLiking #25YearsOfImpact

“I have found that among its other benefits, giv

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou This year’s Meet the Kids Day presentation showcased how The Present is Where the Past Meets the Future through the stories of remarkable individuals transformed by NCEF-supported programs. It’s All for the Kids.