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Grants Director

Naples Children & Education Foundation

Sarah Zaiser-Kelly works as the grants director for the Naples Children & Education Foundation, the agency behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival fundraiser. Zaiser-Kelly oversees NCEF funding strategies to help meet gaps in social services and works with community partners to ensure the foundation is improving the well-being of children in Collier County—and she insisted her success can be attributed to the people around her.

“Something I’ve always lived by is to surround yourself with good people who will constantly push you beyond your comfort zone. The only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable,” she says. “I can attribute both my growth and success to being surrounded by caring, successful individuals—NCEF trustees, colleagues and community partners. Nurturing these relationships has enabled me to not only learn and grow, but to always have a strong support system to lean on.”

The annual grants and collaborative strategic initiatives coordinated through NCEF by Zaiser-Kelly benefit more than 50 nonprofit agencies. Those funds provide children and families with the necessary access to primary care, allowing early detection and treatment of disease, behavioral health issues and other health concerns in SWFL children.