We support a stronger, healthier community.
For more than 40 years, Napa Valley Vintners has invested deeply in the Napa Valley Community. Through our fundraising endeavors, we have invested more than $230 million in community health, youth development, and the environment to help build a stronger community.
Our history of fundraising for the good of the community began with the founding of Auction Napa Valley in 1981 and continues today with Collective Napa Valley. We’re grateful to leverage the world-class reputation of Napa Valley wines and experiences to enhance the well-being of our community.
Thanks to the generosity of our member wineries, supporters from around the world, strategic partners who help underwrite costs, and the dedicated community of volunteers, we are able to make significant community investments that have a big impact on our community.
At the heart of our Youth Wellness Initiative is the belief that every young person deserves the support they need to thrive. By meeting our kids where they are—at school, at home and in the community—we are helping them navigate a pivotal time of growth with confidence and strength. Our focus is on empowering youth to lead healthy, balanced lives by nurturing their social and emotional development while looking after their health and well-being.
Through our incredible nonprofit partners, children and teens are gaining essential life skills like confidence, resiliency, coping strategies and healthy habits that will help them to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities ahead. Our investments will create lasting, positive change for our youth and our community.
Through programs provided by our trusted partners—such as the SHINE collaborative, Boys and Girls Club, Napa Valley Education Foundation, Mentis, Girls on the Run, On the Move, Aldea and Up Valley Family Centers—we are creating:We are creating:
Napa Valley Vintners is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community through long-term investments that tackle significant challenges and ensure future generations are ready to thrive and succeed. Together we are building resources and expanding services for the healthy development and well-being of the youth of Napa Valley.
Wildfires remain one of Napa County's most pressing issues. Wildfires can cause devastation and disruption for all residents, local businesses, and schools no matter where the fire is located. NVV is the largest private donor supporting Napa County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
NVV’s Forest Health initiative brings together multiple agencies and organizations, all cooperating on the implementation of NVV grant-funded projects. Grantee recipients are The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (Napa Firewise) and Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD). Together, they are collaborating with local and state government offices such as Napa County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and other nonprofits like Napa County Land Trust and Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District to complete the work.
Long-term Goals of the project:
In addition to supporting many nonprofits and strategic initiatives, NVV has stepped up during times of natural disaster and emergencies. The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, managed by Napa Valley Community Foundation, was created with a $10 million lead gift from Napa Valley Vintners following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake.
In response to wildfires in our community, NVV has supported local firefighting efforts through investments in early detection software, communications systems, fire road maintenance, and the rehabilitation of our forest lands. In total, NVV has committed $2.25 million to the cause.
During COVID, NVV invested $550,000 to help bring COVID testing and vaccinations to Napa County. And even without fundraising in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, NVV granted $8.3 million in 2020 and $5.9 million in 2021 to Napa County nonprofits.
Our approach is laser-focused, ensuring that every investment makes the most significant impact possible. By giving deeply in specific areas, we aim to make a big impact. Approximately every 10 years, we commission a community needs assessment through a third party to ensure that our giving is focused on the most critical needs of the community. Our most recent assessment was in 2023. To keep current in between our larger-scale assessments, we utilize needs assessments completed by the county, the local hospitals, and larger nationwide databases like Kids Count. Strategic initiatives we invest in will help solve large-scale community challenges. The pillars of our giving strategy include:
Once specific areas of focus are determined, we then identify critical gaps in which our funding, and our attention, can help drive change. Our grantmaking strategy champions collaboration between nonprofits, government offices, and community organizations, creating an ecosystem of entities working together towards a common goal. At the heart of NVV’s giving strategy lies a dynamic committee of vintners and community members. The committee is made up of up to 10 vintner representatives and four community members. The role of the Grants Review Committee is to:
Grant applications for 2025 are by invitation. This approach allows NVV to strategically focus our funding on programs and services that are most closely aligned with our current initiatives and the associated long-term outcomes.
For more information contact our Community Investment Manager, Michelle Laymon at MLaymon@NapaVintners.com or 707-968-4203.
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