The Naples Children & Education Foundation on Monday, March 19 announced that the Guadalupe Center is receiving two substantial grants following the Naples Winter Wine Festival in January.
Guadalupe Center, a nonprofit organization focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee, was awarded a $522,000 grant to help fund its Early Childhood Education Program for youth up to 5 years old. Thanks to this program, 95 percent of Guadalupe Center students enter public schools meeting or exceeding kindergarten readiness standards and all speak English. NCEF’s donation to Guadalupe Center is one of the largest grants distributed to a single organization from this year’s Wine Festival proceeds.
Additionally, Guadalupe Center is among five organizations sharing a $2.1 million multi-agency grant from NCEF for out-of-school education initiatives. Guadalupe Center’s share of the strategic initiative is $531,000. These funds will be used to support and expand Guadalupe Center’s After-School Tutoring and Summer Enrichment Program for students in kindergarten, first and second grades as well as the Tutor Corps Program for college-bound Immokalee High School students.
“We are beyond ecstatic that the Naples Children & Education Foundation has awarded such a generous grant to the Guadalupe Center,” said Guadalupe Center President Dawn Montecalvo. “NCEF has been a fabulous partner of the Guadalupe Center for many years, and this year’s contribution will undoubtedly create endless possibilities for the children of Immokalee for many years to come.”
NCEF, which sponsors the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is recognizing 47 Southwest Florida nonprofit organizations this year with grants totaling $15.18 million.
Since its inaugural event in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $176 million to support children’s charities in Collier County, impacting more than 200,000 children.
“The Naples Children & Education Foundation continues to be a critical resource for programs and organizations striving to support and aid the underprivileged and at-risk children of Collier County,” Valerie Boyd, 2018 NCEF grant committee chair, stated at a ceremony announcing the Foundation’s grant recipients. “We want to thank everyone who participated and attended the 2018 NWWF. Every paddle and dollar raised has been given to one of these 47 impactful organizations that are helping change the lives of thousands of children in our community.”
About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children’s accomplishments: 94 percent exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100 percent of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 90 percent graduated with a post-secondary degree.
About the Naples Children & Education Foundation
The Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is improving the educational, emotional, and health outcomes of underprivileged and at-risk children. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCEF has impacted over 40 of the most effective nonprofits in the community, providing more than 200,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel. NCEF’s unique approach, which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community, one issue at a time.
About the Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in private homes, 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 $176 million, making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of children.
