The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning is pleased to announce a charitable grant of $225,000 from the Naples Children Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Grant funding will be used to support students in the Pathways to Success Program during Fiscal Year 2027. Champions For Learning has been a proud grant recipient of the Naples Children Foundation (NCF) since 2016.
Pathways to Success falls under NCF’s Out-of-School Time service category, which are programs that serve children grades K-12 during previously unsupervised non-school hours such as before-school, after school, holiday breaks and summertime that promote future opportunities and build confidence. Students enrolled in Pathways to Success helps students in grades 8 through 12 navigate pathways for post-secondary success with opportunities for college and career coaching, mentorship, engaging workshops, hands-on lab sessions, off-site learning experiences, and scholarship awards upon high school graduation. Pathways to Success equips and prepares students to achieve their future academic and career goals.
“Champions For Learning is so grateful to the Naples Children Foundation for their investment in our work with students in Collier County,” said Eric Williams, President and CEO of Champions For Learning. “This grant changes countless lives. Many of our students are the first in their families to consider college or technical career training. They don’t know how they will be able to afford post-secondary education. The Naples Children Foundation’s continued partnership and support is essential in carrying out our mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success.”
Since making its first grant to Champions For Learning in 2016, the Naples Children Foundation has invested $1,774,000 to support our work with students.
“When students have access to the right guidance and opportunities, they’re empowered to shape their own futures,” said Sarah Zaiser-Kelly, SVP of Grants and Community Impact at NCF. “Our investment in Champions for Learning reflects our commitment to ensuring every child has the resources and support needed to pursue the path that’s right for them—whether that’s higher education, a meaningful career or another opportunity that leads to long-term success.”
ABOUT CHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING™
Founded in 1990, the Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. Our Student Programs are designed to equip and prepare students for their future learning and career goals, and our Educator Programs are designed to value, empower, and support our educators to experience professional success. Recognized as the education foundation serving Collier County by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Champions For Learning serves as a unifying force within the community by driving collective action towards the common goal of student and educator success.
Champions For Learning is a volunteer driven organization. Over 300 individuals volunteered with us last year, dedicating 6,570 hours to our students, teachers, and organization. Champions For Learning’s dedicated volunteers and committed administrative team reflect our mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success. For more information about Champions For Learning or to see more of our work, visit our website http://www.ChampionsForLearning.org.
ABOUT NAPLES CHILDREN FOUNDATION
The Naples Children Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable children in Collier County. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCF has impacted nearly 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 420,000 children with the services and resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions, NCF supports programs that ensure every child can thrive. NCF’s unique approach, which bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community – one issue at a time.
Love what you're reading?
Get the best of Naples delivered to your inbox every month — local stories, events, and good news worth sharing.
Subscribe for Free
