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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    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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      Naples Children & Education Foundation Names Rosas as Festival Support ...
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In the News & Press

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Oct. 262016

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Thank you to our dedicated NCEF volunteers for etc

Thank you to our dedicated NCEF volunteers for etching our NWWF wine glasses! The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to return for another amazing weekend of food, wine and fun from January 30 through February 1, 2026. We couldn’t do it without you! ❤

Children with vision impairments often face barrie

Children with vision impairments often face barriers that hold them back from everyday activities and special events. But that’s not the case for kids attending Lighthouse of Collier, a proud partner in our Vision Initiative.
Their daily programs empower youth who are blind or visually impaired to build independence through education, experiences and social connections. What makes @lighthouseofcollier truly special is their summer camp and field trips. These adventures include boat rides, visits to the zoo, trips to Disney World, and more, providing opportunities that many children might never experience otherwise. They show these kids that their vision does not limit their possibilities.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #VisionInitiative #BlueprintPartner

USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine in

USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine industry experts to find the best wine-centric celebrations in the U.S. 🍷 Vote for #NWWF as your favorite wine festival today!�Voting begins today at noon and ends on Monday, July 21st at 11:59am. You can vote every day once per day! Click the link in our bio to vote!

Among students in low-income schools or those at a

Among students in low-income schools or those at academic and behavioral risk, up to 85% have undetected or untreated vision problems. That’s why our partnership with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is so crucial.
As part of the Vision Initiative, @bascompalmereye provides vision screenings in Collier County’s low-income schools. When medically appropriate, children receive full eye exams and two pairs of glasses—one for home and one for school. If tertiary care is needed, children are referred to ophthalmologists for specialized treatment.
Since joining us in 2020, Bascom Palmer has conducted nearly 8,000 vision exams and distributed close to 11,000 pairs of glasses to students.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #BlueprintPartner #VisionInitiative

Naples Winter Wine Festival by the numbers! This y

Naples Winter Wine Festival by the numbers! This year’s #NWWF theme “Picture This” reflects the NCEF’s mission of transforming the lives of children in need. The theme challenges Festival supporters, vintners, chefs and donors to picture the impact their generosity can have in creating a world of endless futures for children in our community. It’s ALL for the Kids.

We are honored to announce that acclaimed Sonoma C

We are honored to announce that acclaimed Sonoma County Chef-Vintner Dustin Valette will be honored as Chef de Cuisine at the 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.
Valette is the Chef-Owner of @valettehbg and @themathesonhbg and Owner of @valettewineshbg - As the Festival’s Chef de Cuisine, he will be recognized for his love of seasonality and distinctive culinary experiences which have earned him many accolades. Valette joins an impressive line-up of renowned vintners, chefs and featured sommeliers hailing from many regions, setting the stage for a weekend of unique, one-of-a-kind wine and culinary experiences! Please click the link in our bio to read the full press release.

In recognition of Child Vision Awareness Month, we

In recognition of Child Vision Awareness Month, we're highlighting just how critical clear vision is for learning and development.
Did you know 1 in 4 school-aged children need vision treatment? Vision problems are one of the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood. Failure to treat vision disorders in children can negatively affect academic readiness and significantly impact social and developmental health.
Since 80% of what we learn comes through visual processing, routine vision screenings are essential. Identifying and treating vision issues early can dramatically improve a child’s ability to learn, focus, and succeed in school and beyond.
We are incredibly grateful for our Vision Initiative partners—Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Florida Lions Eye Clinic and Lighthouse of Collier—whose collaboration has made it possible for thousands of children to access essential vision services.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #CollierCounty #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #VisionInitiative

Help us welcome Diana Alas as our new Grants Compl

Help us welcome Diana Alas as our new Grants Compliance and Systems Coordinator. In this position, Alas will play a key role in ensuring that the foundation’s programs and funding initiatives align with compliance standards and continue to empower children in the community.
Alas graduated from the University of Florida. She honed her leadership and organizational skills as Secretary of the Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WECE) organization, where she led outreach programs encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Also, while in college, Alas gained experience via internships with GE Aviation and Bank of America.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers, including expec

Happy Father's Day to all fathers, including expectant fathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers and grandfathers. May you be celebrated and appreciated throughout the day!

🎉 Cheers to 15 incredible years, Lisa! This yea

🎉 Cheers to 15 incredible years, Lisa! This year, Naples Winter Wine Festival senior vice president Lisa Juliano celebrates 15 years at the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Lisa's dedication and leadership at NCEF have made a lasting impact— not just within the organization, but throughout the Naples community. Help us celebrate her amazing journey, her imaginative ideas and ability to execute them! 🍷 #NCEF #NaplesWinterWineFestival #15YearsOfImpact #CollierCounty

This year, Maria Jimenez-Lara celebrates 10 years

This year, Maria Jimenez-Lara celebrates 10 years as CEO of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. 🎉 Under her leadership, NCEF launched major Strategic Initiatives in Mental Health, Out-of-School Time and Vision, while shifting to an outcomes-driven funding model. The foundation successfully navigated natural disasters and the pandemic, ensuring continued support for the community. Mobile clinics were introduced to deliver vital health services to underserved children. A long-term Out-of-School Time partnership in Immokalee helped boost the local graduation rate from 65% to 87.4%. Major investments in early learning and the construction of a permanent headquarters have further expanded access to education and strengthened NCEF’s presence in the community.
In 2025 alone, the Naples Winter Wine Festival raised over $34M, contributing to more than $336M total in support of vulnerable youth.
Maria’s vision and dedication have transformed NCEF into a powerful force for systemic change.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #10YearsofImpact #CollierCounty

Behind the scenes! The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Fes

Behind the scenes! The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival “Save the Dates” are ready, thanks to our wonderful volunteers! The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to return for another amazing weekend of food, wine and fun from January 30 through February 1, 2026.