V Foundation Wine Celebration

What V Foundation Wine Celebration does

The V Foundation Wine Celebration is the signature annual fundraising event of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, operated by Don't Ever Give Up, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable supporting organization headquartered at 1250 Main Street, Suite 280, Napa, California. Founded in 1993 alongside ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, the parent V Foundation has funded over $458 million in cancer research grants across North America, with Wine Celebration specifically contributing over $54 million cumulatively through a single annual three-day event held in Napa Valley.

The event itself is a multi-component experience spanning vintner-hosted dinners and intimate wine experiences, a spirited live auction of rare wine lots and luxury experiences, a music festival, and a cancer research symposium. Revenue is generated through four streams: attendee registration, live auction proceeds, corporate sponsorship packages, and direct donations. A defining structural feature is the V Foundation's endowment, which covers administrative expenses and enables 100% of direct donations to be awarded to cancer research grants.

Wine Celebration serves three primary constituencies: affluent wine enthusiasts and philanthropists who attend and bid at auction, corporate sponsors across wine, spirits, financial services, healthcare, and media seeking brand visibility among high-net-worth demographics, and Napa Valley vintners who contribute experiences and auction lots in exchange for marketing exposure and Vintner Grant Honoree recognition. Julie Maples serves as Founder & Co-Chair. Operational scale is intentionally lean (1-10 employees), reflecting the endowment-funded administrative model and the event's single annual cadence.

Name

V Foundation Wine Celebration

Legal name

Don't Ever Give Up, Inc.

Website

https://winecelebration.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The V Foundation Wine Celebration is an annual three-day Napa Valley charity wine auction operated by Don't Ever Give Up, Inc. for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. It serves affluent philanthropists, premium vintners, and corporate sponsors, directing 100% of direct donations to cancer research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Fundraising Events

NAICS

Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF)

Keywords

• Charity wine auctions
• Cancer research fundraising
• Nonprofit charity events
• Vintner experience events
• Napa Valley fundraisers

Headquarters

HQ city

Napa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Registration: Revenue generated through attendee registration for the annual three-day Wine Celebration event held in Napa Valley.
2. Live Auction Proceeds: Funds raised through a spirited live auction featuring wine experiences and related items, with proceeds directed to cancer research.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership fees from corporate sponsors supporting the annual Wine Celebration event.
4. Direct Donations: The V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, meaning 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The V Foundation Wine Celebration is an annual three-day fundraising event held in Napa Valley, featuring intimate vintner experiences, a live charity auction, a music festival, and a cancer research symposium. Proceeds benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, with the parent foundation's endowment covering all administrative costs so that 100% of direct donations are directed to cancer research grants.

Product overview

Wine Celebration is a single annual event series operated by Don't Ever Give Up, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization) for the benefit of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The event runs from July 30 – August 2, 2026, and includes scheduled activities across Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The event features vintner experiences, a live auction, music festival, and educational symposium components. Registration is managed through a third-party events platform (Blackbaud EjoinMe).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wine Celebration Event Series An annual three-day fundraising event held in Napa Valley featuring intimate vintner experiences, a live charity auction, a music festival, and a cancer research symposium. Proceeds benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, with 100% of direct donations directed to cancer research grants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $458 million funded for cancer research grants

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ESPNflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerESPN is the founding partner of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, established in 1993 alongside legendary coach Jim Valvano. ESPN provides extensive media coverage and national brand recognition for the organization and its Wine Celebration event.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing donation processing and event management software solutions for the organization's fundraising operations.
• The Estate YountvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury hospitality partner providing accommodations and event venue experiences for Wine Celebration attendees in Napa Valley.
• Nickel & NickelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVintner partner hosting intimate wine experiences as part of the annual Wine Celebration event program.
• DolcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinery partner contributing to the vintner experiences program at the annual Wine Celebration event.
• John Anthony VineyardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVintner partner providing wine experiences and auction items for the annual Wine Celebration.
• The Lux ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner providing event production services for the Wine Celebration.
• PellegrinominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner providing products for the annual event.
• Acqua PannaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater partner providing premium water products for event attendees.
• JaMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner supporting the Wine Celebration event.
• ModelominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner providing products for the annual event.
• BMSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Wine Celebration event.
• ColossalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the annual Wine Celebration.
• ConstellationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine industry partner sponsoring the annual event.
• Dolphins Cancer ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer research fundraising partner affiliated with the Miami Dolphins, collaborating with the V Foundation on cancer research initiatives.
• Hockey Fights CancerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative partner, collaborating on cancer research fundraising.
• TostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner for the Wine Celebration event.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Stand Up To Cancer: Major cancer-research fundraising organization that competes with the V Foundation for cancer-cause dollars, donor mindshare, and celebrity/athlete-driven event platforms.
• Hockey Fights Cancer: NHL-affiliated cancer-research fundraising initiative already partnered with the V Foundation; competing/collaborating sports-IP-driven cancer fundraising platform.

Direct peers

• Naples Winter Wine Festival: Long-running charity wine auction in Naples, FL operated by the Naples Children & Education Foundation; comparable high-net-worth donor model, vintner-hosted experiences, and live auction format.
• Pebble Beach Food & Wine: Premium destination food and wine event pairing vintners and chefs with affluent attendees; directly comparable audience and high-end wine experience format.
• Auction Napa Valley: Napa Valley Vintners' annual charity wine auction, the most direct competitor in the Napa charity wine auction category, drawing overlapping donors, vintners, and corporate sponsors.

Others

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Parent foundation of the Wine Celebration; useful as the structural and brand context for the event's fundraising model and 100% pass-through endowment funding.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest broad-based cancer charity; while not a wine event, it competes for philanthropic dollars directed at cancer research and operates signature galas/fundraisers of comparable scale.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Large cancer-focused nonprofit with signature fundraising events (galas, sporting fundraisers) that compete for the same corporate sponsorship and high-net-worth donor pool.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/napavalleywinecelebration
• Instagraminstagram.com/vfoundationevents
• Xx.com/vfwcelebration
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/v-foundation-wine-celebration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about V Foundation Wine Celebration