History of the CRC

In 2015, Nina Gray sat in a small office space writing down a long list of food pantries, disability services, help for seniors, veterans, families, and immigrants. Having worked with nonprofits for 31 years, from Avow (then called Hospice of Naples) to Neighborhood Health Clinic, she built a catalogue in her mind of all of the supportive services in Collier County. But she perceived a giant chasm between so many well-meaning organizations and the people who had no idea how to access them.

The idea of CRC was to be the connector at no cost to the client. Not to solve all the problems for people, but to link them to answers, services, and solutions. Nina’s prayer at that time was simple: “For either the support to go forward or the dignity to close down.”

So began Collier Resource Center, an all-volunteer organization led by a hands-on, working founding board with significant nonprofit, legal, financial, and administrative expertise. Initially, Gray met with the United Way of Collier County and the Collier Community Foundation to ensure CRC would complement, not duplicate, existing services. Both organizations affirmed the need, recognized the gap, and encouraged her to move forward.

The first year, Gray and three volunteers helped 60 people.

In 2025, CRC celebrated two milestones: our 10th anniversary and more than 2,000 clients served in one year. The organization grows each year, with full-time staff, a dedicated board, an army of devoted volunteers, and reliable, generous donors.

Today, CRC remains rooted in Nina’s original vision to be a trusted connector, to help neighbors in their time of need, and to follow up all cases until they are resolved.