The Shoppes at Vanderbilt is running out of obvious gaps to fill. Two new buildings are bringing a wine retailer, a rooftop raw bar and more to North Naples, while smashburgers, fudge, mahjong and another restaurant concept join the mix elsewhere.
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health secured a $500,000 pledge from the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation to aid the construction of the Van Domelen Children’s Center of Excellence, part of the Hope for Collier initiative dedicated to enhancing behavioral health services for children.
Jay and Patty Baker surprised guests at The Naples Players’ Feb. 10 gala with a $10 million sustaining gift to the theater’s endowment, doubling the fund to about $20 million and generating an estimated $1 million annually.
Naples-based NextGen continues its 2026 speaker series with an emphasis on mentorship, leadership and philanthropy, featuring high-profile speakers including former Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker.
The Naples Winter Wine Festival unofficially unofficially raised $30.8 million at its Jan. 31 live auction at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. Fund a Need generated more than $7 million to expand pediatric health services in Collier County.
The Winter Wine Festival pairs rare wine vintages, elite culinary experiences and ultra-luxury travel in a philanthropic mission. The festival has raised over $336 million since its launch in 2001, supporting programs centered on health care, education and social services for vulnerable children.
Collier Community Foundation marked its 40th anniversary by surpassing $400 million in lifetime grants and scholarships, reflecting four decades of philanthropic growth and an ambitious push toward a $1 billion endowment.
Naples’ 2024–25 gala season set new fundraising records, with more than $81.5 million raised across more than 30 events. The Naples Winter Wine Festival led the way, generating more than $34 million for the Naples Children Foundation.
This month’s issue highlights the strength of Southwest Florida’s family-owned businesses, the importance of succession planning and the record-breaking generosity of the region’s gala season as local families build lasting legacies across the community.
The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival will spotlight children’s health care through its Fund a Need paddle raise, supporting mental, oral, vision and primary health services for Collier County kids.
