Imagine a place where students can dive into robotics one day, compose music the next, and explore wellness practices that nurture mind and body, all under one roof. That’s the vision coming to life at the NVEF Discovery Campus, a two-acre, 20,000-square-foot hub of learning and creativity on 3rd Street in downtown Napa.

Since 1983, NVEF has been a leader in growing and sustaining essential education programs and resources in Napa County schools. With a Strategic Plan focused on student-centered design and community partnerships, NVEF’s programs now reach across the county, from Calistoga to American Canyon. From embedding wellness centers in schools to providing thousands of music instruments to students each year, NVEF focuses on access and equity, so every child can thrive.

NVEF recently opened the doors of the former Oxbow School to create a community learning hub—the NVEF Discovery Campus—providing a space where youth can explore and create beyond the traditional classroom. The campus features five studios: art, media, music, culinary, and a makerspace for hands-on experiences that ignite curiosity and build confidence. “A child’s one thing can be everything,” says Executive Director Jennifer Stewart. “This is a space for trying new things and for a young person to find that spark that lights them up.”

After the Oxbow School shuttered in 2025, it selected NVEF as the property’s next steward, ensuring that the campus would remain a community asset and keep arts and education alive in the valley. NVEF honors that legacy by gathering input from students and parents to shape new programs. This spring, it launches a fourth-grade field trip program aligned with grade-level teachings about California state history. The Foundation also provides professional development programs for teachers, extending its impact beyond student enrichment.

At NVEF, arts and STEM come alive through partnerships with organizations like Nimbus Arts and the Otterbots Robotics Team. Scholarships and flexible payment options ensure that every child has access, because learning is a right, not a privilege. From coding and robotics to visual arts, music, and culinary exploration, every course is designed to spark curiosity, inspire exploration, and cultivate confidence. This spring, the Discovery Campus buzzes with more than 70 courses for youth and adults.

NVEF relies on Napa Valley’s generosity to make it all possible. One of the most anticipated ways to support the Foundation is the annual Taste for Knowledge fundraiser, May 2, 2026, at the Discovery Campus. Guests can enjoy exceptional wine and cuisine, student performances, and camaraderie in support of Napa County’s 18,000 public school students. Visit NVEF.org/taste for tickets. NVEF also seeks donors and corporate sponsors to join its Founder’s Circle, allowing for early investment, naming recognition, and participation in strategic partnerships.

More than an education foundation, NVEF is a hub of opportunity and community pride. With its new campus and vibrant programs, it’s a place where Napa’s young people can dream bigger, explore further, and grow into capable leaders of tomorrow.

For more information: www.nvef.org