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.
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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.
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  - - Jul. 152025
      Founders of Darioush Winery to be Celebrated as Honored Vintners at 26th Annual ...
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      Naples Children & Education Foundation Names Henderson as Grants Manager
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Published Articles

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Dec. 012013

Beating Back Childhood Obesity

Life in Naples

Nov. 302013

Giving Thanks: A New Smile from Naples Dental Center Means New Life

Naples Daily News

Nov. 262013

David Lawrence Center Adds Child Psychiatrist

Naples Daily News

Nov. 072013

Up and Comers

The Journal

Nov. 072013

Weekend Insider – Join the NCEF Friends of the Foundation

Gulfshore Life

Nov. 012013

Naples Children & Education Foundation rolls out new “NOW YOU SEE IT” Mobile Vision Program

Life in Naples

Oct. 312013

Gulfshore Life’s Top 5 Weekend Picks: Friends of the Foundation Season Kick-off

Gulfshore Life

Oct. 262013

Capital corner: NCEF honored

Naples Daily News

On Tuesday, July 8th, NCEF staff visited one of it

On Tuesday, July 8th, NCEF staff visited one of its incredible beneficiaries, @theableacademy. As a leading provider of individualized applied behavior analysis programming for individuals with developmental delays, ABLE Academy offers a warm, inspiring environment where children can thrive. The NCEF team was welcomed by Dr. Colleen Cornwall, CEO and Founder, and Kim Raiser, BCaBA and Operations Director, who guided them on an inspiring tour of the facility. During the visit, the team saw the dedicated one-on-one work of the interdisciplinary staff and heard stories highlighting the remarkable progress students have made over the years. Special highlights included learning about the Miracle Bell, which rings to celebrate each new skill or milestone a child achieves, and a screening of a recent episode of the Able News Network, a student-produced news channel featuring student interests and events. To round out the visit, NCEF staff were treated to drinks from Taste Buds Café, the on-site coffee bar fully operated by students who took orders and crafted what was arguably the best coffee in town!

Today is the last day to vote! 🍷 Vote for #NWWF

Today is the last day to vote! 🍷 Vote for #NWWF as your favorite wine festival before noon! USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine industry experts to find the best wine-centric celebrations in the U.S. Voting ends today at 11:59am. Click the link in our bio to vote!

Immokalee is home to a high population of vulnerab

Immokalee is home to a high population of vulnerable and at-risk children—kids who face systemic barriers that impact their academic success and overall well-being.
That’s why NCEF strategically focused our Out-of-School Time Initiative in Immokalee—leveraging resources, expanding program capacity, providing academic safety nets and creating enriching opportunities for students who need it most.
Demonstrated by the 22.7 percentage point increase in Immokalee High School’s graduation rate—now at 87.4%— our collaborative, community-based approach is helping ensure every child has a safe, supportive space to learn and thrive during the hours that matter most.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #Immokalee

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival: Video Seri

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival: Video Series!
Today we are highlighting The Vintage Cellar, this is a separate ticketed event; limited to only 40 guests. An unparalleled opportunity to experience the rarest and finest vintages from one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The morning tasting will consist of a vertical selection of the estate’s best years, with commentary by the vintner and additional insights from a famed wine critic. This is followed by a luncheon accompanied by a mini-vertical of recent vintages.

We are thrilled to announce Shahpar and Darioush K

We are thrilled to announce Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi, founders of the acclaimed Napa Valley winery Darioush, as our Honored Vintners at the 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026.
As the Festival’s 2026 Honored Vintners, Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi will be recognized for their determination, experimentation and commitment to pursue challenging opportunities, first in the grocery business in California and later at Darioush. Their family-owned and operated boutique winery stems from the foundational intersection of viticulture, hospitality, cuisine and art. Their participation as this year’s Honored Vintners helps set the stage for what promises to be another amazing three days! 🍷 Click the link in our bio to read the full Press Release.

Each summer, students can lose up to two months of

Each summer, students can lose up to two months of reading skills, and six weeks in the fall are spent re-learning old material. This learning loss affects all students—but it disproportionately impacts vulnerable and at-risk children who may already be facing academic challenges.
Without access to structured summer learning, enrichment, or even consistent internet or reading materials, these children fall further behind—widening the achievement gap that already exists during the school year.
💡 Just 2–3 hours of learning per week during summer break can help prevent this slide and keep children on track to succeed.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #SummerLearningLoss #Out-of-SchoolTimePrograms #ClosetheGap #SummerSuccess

One week left to vote for your favorite wine festi

One week left to vote for your favorite wine festival 🍷❤ USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine industry experts to find the best wine-centric celebrations in the U.S. vote every day once per day! Voting ends on next Monday, July 21st at 11:59am. ✨ Click the link in our bio to vote!

This heartwarming community event at the NCEF Well

This heartwarming community event at the NCEF Wellness Center in Immokalee brought together local partners and generous volunteers to support families with free, gently used clothing—no strings attached, just kindness. 💛
Thanks to the incredible turnout, we assisted 94 families, distributed all 30 crockpots donated by Meals of Hope, and emptied 59 of the 87 bins of clothing! One young mom even returned the next day to begin dental care, sharing how much it meant to find clothes for her and her newborn.
Huge thanks to @ufdentistry @davidlawrencecenters @mealsofhope @bascompalmereye @gch_swfl @fsucom @guadalupe_center and @theableacademy for making this day of compassion and connection possible.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ThreadsofKindness #CommunityCare #Immokalee

Our CEO Maria Jimenez-Lara spoke at the Florida Le

Our CEO Maria Jimenez-Lara spoke at the Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit, joining a panel on "From Data to Decisions" to discuss how philanthropy and business can drive early learning investments.
She shared key findings from the 2025 Collier County Early Learning Landscape Analysis, conducted in partnership with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning. The study highlights challenges in access, affordability and workforce stability across Collier County’s early learning programs.
These insights will guide NCEF’s $8M investment to expand high-quality early learning and ensure families—especially in underserved areas—can find and afford the care they need.
Maria proudly represented NCEF as a continued Blueprint for Success in data-driven impact.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #BlueprintModel #Statewide #PhilantrhopyinAction #EarlyLearning

On June 25th the @naplestherapeuticridingcenter ho

On June 25th the @naplestherapeuticridingcenter hosted Stall Side Sips Volunteer Social to reconnect with their volunteers and friends of the community. Michelle Schweber, Development Director, hosted and invited the NCEF Grants and Festival Teams to join the fun and do some networking while giving us a mini tour of the facilities. There were raffles and prizes as well as great finger food and refreshments for all the guests. We are honored to be part of this incredible community and grateful for the chance to support such meaningful work.

Help us welcome Dani Henderson as Grants Manager!

Help us welcome Dani Henderson as Grants Manager! In this role, she will work directly with NCEF beneficiaries and the Grant Committee to support all aspects of the NCEF grant process.
Henderson brings nearly a decade of non-profit experience in Florida and South Carolina to NCEF. Henderson earned her bachelor’s degree from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina, completing more than 800 hours of volunteer work in education, housing and family support programs. She also is a graduate of the Associate Leadership Collier Class of 2024.

Two weeks left to vote for your favorite wine fest

Two weeks left to vote for your favorite wine festival - you can vote every day once per day! USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine industry experts to find the best wine-centric celebrations in the U.S. Voting ends on Monday, July 21st at 11:59am. Click the link in our bio to vote now!