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.
    About the 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
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  - - 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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News Releases

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Jul. 282015

Chef Rick Tramonto to Lead Exceptional Culinary Experience as Chef de Cuisine of the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Jul. 092015

Vintners Paul and Emily Michael of Acclaimed Peter Michael Winery will be honored at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Clientele Luxury

May. 072015

Naples Winter Wine Festival will Celebrate 16 Years of High-Impact Giving at 2016 Star-Studded Event

WineBusiness.com

Apr. 142015

Naples Children & Education Foundation Appoints Maria Jimenez-Lara as CEO

Apr. 142015

Naples Children & Education Foundation names new leader from its own ranks

Mar. 092015

UPDATE: Naples Children & Education Foundation Grants Over $11.9 Million to Children’s Charities at Annual Ceremony

Feb. 172015

Naples Children & Education Foundation Earmarks $3.8 Million for Strategic Initiatives that Address Pediatric Vision Care, Out-of-School Programs and Childhood Hunger

Feb. 102015

New Trustees Add Wealth of Experience to Naples Children & Education Foundation

Congratulations to NCEF Trustee Joe Matina, for be

Congratulations to NCEF Trustee Joe Matina, for being recognized as one of this year’s Naples 100 by Naples Illustrated! Joseph Matina founded The Matina Group, a 13-person UBS Private Wealth Management team, in 2000. He has more than 30 years of investment industry experience. He and his team are nationally recognized for developing best-in-class, customized solutions for individuals and families. Matina and his wife Dana support local women's and children's causes, including NCEF.

Celebrating 4 years of Collier CARES! Since launch

Celebrating 4 years of Collier CARES! Since launching to the public, @colliercares has been a vital resource for our community, connecting residents to essential services and support.
📲 Haven’t downloaded the app yet? Now’s the perfect time!�✅ Explore resources & services�✅ Filter search preferences for personalized results�✅ Check out the events page for free & low-cost activities in Collier County
Stay connected, stay informed and let’s keep building a stronger community together! Celebrating 4 years of Collier CARES!
Since launching to the public, Collier CARES has been a vital resource for our community, connecting residents to essential services and support.
📲 Haven’t downloaded the app yet? Now’s the perfect time!�✅ Explore resources & services�✅ Filter search preferences for personalized results�✅ Check out the events page for free & low-cost activities in Collier County
Stay connected, stay informed and let’s keep building a stronger community together!
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #CollierCARES #ConnectwithCare #4YearsStrong

Congratulations to Naples Winter Wine Festival Sen

Congratulations to Naples Winter Wine Festival Senior Vice President & Event Production Coordinator @lmjuliano for being recognized as one of this year’s Naples 100 by @naplesillustratedmag -Lisa Juliano's responsibilities include the management and oversight of logistics, management and production for the annual Naples Winter Wine Festival, which is the nation's premier charitable wine auction. Lisa joined NCEF in 2010.

Congratulations to NWWF Trustee and Festival Chair

Congratulations to NWWF Trustee and Festival Chair Bill Beynon for being recognized as one of this year’s Naples 100 by Naples Illustrated! As president and CEO of Capital Wealth Advisors, Bill Beynon leads a team of more than 45 professionals focused on wealth management and estate planning. During his 25-year career, Beynon was director of estate planning at Creative Asset Services in Pittsburgh and a partner at First Financial Resources in Naples. Beynon co-founded Capital Wealth Advisors in 2004. He and his wife, Nena, are Trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation and were co-chairs of the 2023, 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival and are chairing the 2026 Festival.

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, Dreams of Silver Linings 🍾 Hosted by: Cheryl & Larry Andrews with Denise & Brian Cobb. Vintner: Christopher Lynch of @@opusonewinery in Oakville, California. Chef: @deanfearing of Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas, Texas. Cheers!

We are proud to invest a record $34 million in clo

We are proud to invest a record $34 million in close to 50 non-profit organizations supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County! This year’s investment in future generations includes funding traditional grants of $6.7 million and $16.5 million for NCEF multi-year strategic initiatives that fill fundamental gaps in local children’s services, plus another $2.9 million in future projects and strategic initiatives. In addition to funding traditional grants and multi-year strategic initiatives, NCEF has invested $8 million in a new Early Learning Enrichment and Expansion Program to drive systemic change in Collier County, ensuring more children in the community have access to high-quality education.

Through @lighthouseofcollier children's programs,

Through @lighthouseofcollier children's programs, youth living with blindness and vision impairment gain the skills and confidence they need to live independently and thrive. As an NCEF Vision Initiative partner, they are committed to providing essential support at every stage of development.
From infancy through young adulthood, these programs focus on education, mobility, socialization and career readiness, ensuring each child is equipped for success. Early intervention helps babies develop essential skills, school-age children build independence and teens prepare for the workforce through real-world experiences.
Each year, a structured summer camp brings these lessons to life, giving students hands-on opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in a supportive environment. Together, we are breaking barriers and empowering children with vision impairment to navigate their world with confidence.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Happy First Day of Spring! May you be inspired by

Happy First Day of Spring! May you be inspired by the hope and renewal found in this beautiful season.

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, Futures Uncorked! 🍾 Hosted by: Debbi & Bill Cary with Kristine & Chris Williams. Vintner: Florent Fresse of Château Léoville Las Cases in Saint-Julien, France. Chef: @oakes_nancy of Boulevard in San Francisco, California. Event Planning: Margaret Events. Photo Credits: @luminairefoto -Cheers!

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