Funding helps provide safe spaces, continued learning and enrichment for Napa County youth
September 30, 2026 (Saint Helena, CA) — The hours after the school day ends are an important time in a child’s day. Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is investing $1.2 million in local programs that give children a safe place to go, where they can keep learning, build friendships and discover new interests.
Funding supports afterschool and summer programs that reach children from their early years through their teens. Together, these programs serve 8,500 Napa County students, providing opportunities to learn and grow outside of the school day while giving working families the reassurance that their children are cared for and engaged.
“Being a single mom, I don’t have a lot of help. The Club is my backbone. It provides a safe, supportive environment for my kids and makes it possible for me to keep working,” said Mollie P. about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley.
For students, their time is filled with opportunities. They can get help with homework, participate in STEM and the arts, stay physically active and develop social and life skills.
For Mariana C., who has attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley for the past 10 years, the experience has helped shape who she is today. “Being at the Club has changed me a lot. I never knew I could be a leader. I never knew I could be someone until they pushed me to be better and were always there for me. They always knew I had the potential.”
This investment is part of NVV’s broader commitment to the well-being of Napa County youth and families through its Youth Wellness Initiative. It follows the organization’s September 1, 2026, announcement of $1.8 million in giving for student wellness programs on school campuses. In October, NVV will announce additional investments supporting children and families in the community.
NVV’s Youth Wellness Initiative is designed to meet kids where they are. By investing in programs both at school and beyond the school day, NVV is helping ensure Napa County youth have the resources they need to grow and thrive.
Grant Recipients Include:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley: $660,000 grant, lifetime total NVV funding $9.5 million since 1999, 27 years of working together. The club operates afterschool programs in the city of Napa and in American Canyon at 10 school campuses, two clubhouses and a teen center serving 5,000 students each year with academic support, physical activities, STEM learning and social-emotional curriculum, among other services.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga: $275,000 grant, lifetime total NVV funding $6.2 million since 1999, 27 years of collaborating. The club provides after-school care at six Up Valley locations, supporting 1,300 students with academic help, physical activities and programs focused on healthy lifestyles, character development, belonging and purpose.
Aim High: $80,000 grant, lifetime total NVV funding $865,000 since 2015, 11 years of partnership. Aim High serves 5th-8th grade students, helping close achievement gaps. The program builds academic confidence, encourages a love of learning and helps middle schoolers develop the skills they need to thrive in school and in life.
Napa River Ecology Center – American Canyon: $80,000 grant, lifetime total NVV funding $210,000 since 2019, seven years of working together. The Center serves children and families through nature-based educational experiences, leadership programs, social connection and physical activity. Located near schools and youth clubs, the center’s programs play an important role in helping kids get outdoors.
Girls on the Run: $60,000 grant, lifetime total NVV funding $590,000 since 2011, 15 years of changing girls’ lives. The program promotes positive mindsets, physical health and connection among girls by inspiring a sense of belonging through teamwork. Each season ends with a 5K run, giving participants a sense of accomplishment that builds long-term confidence.
About Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. NVV has invested more than $248 million in community healthcare, youth development and the environment in Napa County. Learn more at napavintners.com.
