Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation Grant

The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that was founded in 1977 by Wayne and Gladys Valley. Based in Oakland, California, the Foundation has played a significant role in supporting charitable organizations, particularly those located in the East Bay Area. Wayne Valley, the founder of Citation Builders, a prominent homebuilding company in California, was known for his integrity and results-oriented mindset. These traits deeply influenced the Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy. The Valleys applied their business principles to philanthropy by supporting organizations that are well-managed, cost-efficient, and have measurable outcomes. After the passing of both founders—Wayne in 1986 and Gladys in 1998—the Foundation continued their legacy, becoming a major philanthropic force in the region. In 2003, the Foundation's Board of Directors elected to wind down and eventually terminate the Foundation. To ensure the Foundation’s remaining assets would be distributed in a manner consistent with the founders’ intentions, a Certificate to Wind Up and Dissolve was filed with the California Attorney General’s office. The wind-down process was designed to occur over several years due to the Foundation’s large asset base. In the interim, the Foundation continues to make annual grants, albeit on a more limited scale. However, the emphasis has shifted toward larger, more impactful grants that support long-term improvements within recipient organizations and communities. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on three key areas: education, Catholic organizations, and other charitable causes. In the education sector, it supports private and public schools, higher education institutions, early childhood programs, and vocational training. Catholic organizations receive funding consistent with the founders’ personal affiliations and values. Other charitable interests include medical research, health care, youth services, and the enhancement of local parks and recreational facilities. These areas reflect the founders’ desire to support both the community and specific institutions that can have a measurable impact on public well-being. As part of the wind-down strategy, the Foundation now prioritizes capital grants, including funding for physical infrastructure, facilities, and equipment. Future grantmaking will be determined by the Board and staff through a combination of proactive identification and targeted strategies, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and competitive grant processes. Grant recipients are expected to demonstrate strong leadership, a proven track record of success, the ability to attract additional funding, and the capacity to operate independently of the Foundation’s ongoing support. Eligibility for funding is not fully defined in the public-facing materials, but historical trends and stated preferences suggest a focus on well-established nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in the East Bay Area. Applicants should be able to demonstrate broad community support, operational effectiveness, and financial accountability. The Foundation expects grant-seeking organizations to have clearly defined goals and the infrastructure to manage significant funding responsibly. Application details, such as deadlines, required materials, or submission procedures, are not published in detail. Instead, the Foundation indicates that potential applicants will be contacted directly when specific initiatives are launched. No recurring application windows or open calls are currently available, and future funding opportunities appear to be invite-only or restricted to pre-identified prospects. The Foundation’s staff and Board are managing the remaining grant cycles internally and can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (510) 466-6060 for inquiries.