Naples Children Foundation

Long-term commitment helps sustain the work that reaches vulnerable children across Collier County.

Jamie Brown serves on the NCF Board and has served on the Grant Committee. John Brown was recently elected as Board Treasurer.

Their continued involvement reflects the donor and Trustee leadership behind NCF’s model: sustained commitment, thoughtful giving and a shared focus on measurable outcomes for children.

For donors and trustees, the work is not about a single moment of generosity. It is about continuing to support a model that connects resources, partnerships and accountability in service of children who need it most.

What if there were a way to help vulnerable children in Collier County?

What if we could identify the gaps in their care …

And connect them with experts for real solutions?

What if these strategies worked - again and again?

At NCF, we don't just find the gaps—we close them for good.

Naples Children Foundation, the founding organization of the world-renowned Naples Winter Wine Festival, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen Lant as Chief of Staff & Head of People Operations.

With more than 25 years of experience in leadership development, organizational strategy and human resources, Kathleen will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team and play a key role in strengthening our people, culture and operations—helping ensure NCF continues to maximize its impact on the children and families we serve.

Please join us in congratulating Kathleen on this exciting new chapter! 👏

View the full press release here: https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/press-releases/

NCF’s long-term work connects vulnerable children to resources and services through a network of nonprofit partners.

Since inception, NCF has supported close to 90 nonprofit organizations, invested more than $366 million and provided 385,000 children with the resources and services they need to succeed in Collier County.

This is what sustained, coordinated investment looks like over time.

See how sustained investment reaches children. https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/

NCF’s work is grounded in the realities of Collier County’s child population.

Collier County is home to approximately 390,000 residents. Of those, 16.7% are under the age of 18, representing more than 60,000 children, including 47,000 school-aged children.

These numbers help define the scale of the work and the importance of coordinated support for vulnerable children.

Explore how NCF responds to critical needs. https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/impact-reports/

Natalia entered kindergarten ready because early learning support helped her build the language skills she needed.

She was 3 when she started at the NCF Early Childhood Development Center. At the time, she only knew Spanish, and her family’s primary language was also Spanish.

With support from her family and teachers, Natalia gradually built her English skills. She now speaks and understands English fluently.

Today, at age 6, she is deciding whether she wants to become a police officer or a doctor when she grows up!

At the NCF Early Childhood Development Center, children ages 6 weeks to 5 years receive a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Each year, 93 children receive early learning support during the years when development is moving fastest.

That support helps build the foundation children need before they enter kindergarten.

See how early learning support reaches children. https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/strategic-initiatives/early-learning/

Early education access affects how prepared children are when they enter kindergarten.

More than 40% of eligible children lack access to early education.

For families, that gap can affect readiness, confidence and the support children receive during their earliest years of learning.

Understand why early access matters. https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/strategic-initiatives/early-learning/

A stronger start in kindergarten begins before the first day of school.

At the NCF Early Childhood Development Center, vulnerable children receive high-quality early childhood education during the years that shape language, confidence and readiness.

The Center is overseen by the FGCU College of Education and located at Florida SouthWestern State College Collier campus. Through its lab school model, FGCU students and faculty engage in research, training and real classroom experience while children receive early learning support.

Children gain the skills they need for kindergarten. Future educators gain hands-on classroom experience. The community is strengthened by both.

Learn about the site where early learning support builds readiness. https://napleschildrenfoundation.org/ncf-centers/

Collaboration in action! ⚾️

We’re proud to support opportunities that bring community partners together to create meaningful experiences for local children.

Thank you to our partners for helping create an afternoon filled with movement, smiles and connection.