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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    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
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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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Jan. 202008

In short time, Wine Festival has come of age

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 112008

Wine Festival movie chronicles childrens’ lives turned around

NaplesNews.com

Dec. 292007

Editorial: Wine Festival contribution

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 292007

After raising $16.5M for kids, Wine Fest attendees wonder: How can it get any better?

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 282007

A new record: $16.5 million

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 282007

Naples developer’s bid for Rolls is one for record books

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 272007

Wolfgang Puck lights up dinner

NaplesNews.com

Jan. 272007

Getting back to nature

NaplesNews.com

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!

The Naples Winter Wine Festival offers a weekend o

The Naples Winter Wine Festival offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners 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 $336 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.