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The foundation provides financial assistance to charitable organizations that demonstrate excellence, cost-efficient management, and clearly defined, achievable goals. In its current wind-down phase, the foundation is prioritizing larger capital grants for 'bricks and mortar' projects (new facility construction), facility upgrades, improvements, and major equipment purchases that have a lasting impact on communities.
Wayne & Gladys Valley Charitable Foundation is a private corporation based in OAKLAND, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1978. It holds total assets of $198.9M. Annual income is reported at $986M. Total assets have decreased from $504.7M in 2010 to $262.3M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 6 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. Grantmaking is concentrated in California. According to available records, Wayne & Gladys Valley Charitable Foundation has made 173 grants totaling $132.4M, with a median grant of $50K. The foundation has distributed between $26.7M and $44M annually from 2020 to 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2021 with $44M distributed across 35 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $5K to $13.3M, with an average award of $765K. The foundation has supported 121 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Oregon, Tennessee, which account for 97% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 5 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation is a spend-down foundation currently in its final years of operation. Founded in 1977 by the Valley family, it has been a cornerstone funder in the East Bay Area of California for nearly five decades. As the foundation approaches termination, its board has adopted a strategy of making larger-than-usual capital grants to create lasting physical infrastructure — buildings, facilities, and equipment — that will serve communities long after the foundation ceases to exist. This is a critical strategic consideration for potential applicants: the foundation is prioritizing legacy-creating capital investments over ongoing program support. Organizations seeking funding should present projects that represent permanent, tangible improvements to their communities. The foundation maintains particular loyalty to Catholic institutions, educational organizations, and healthcare providers that have been long-term partners. New applicants face a narrowing window as the foundation distributes its remaining assets.
With approximately $255 million in remaining assets and annual grantmaking of about $26.7 million, the Valley Foundation distributes a high percentage of its corpus each year — consistent with a spend-down trajectory. The grant range spans $10,000 to $30 million, with a median of $50,000. Capital grants dominate recent giving: Cardinal Newman High School received $7.3 million for a student life center, Cal State East Bay received $5 million for an applied science center, and UC Davis received $5 million for an imaging center. Catholic education has been a sustained priority, with cumulative grants exceeding $30 million to Bellarmine College Preparatory and $20 million to Bishop O'Dowd High School. Healthcare grants have included $4.5 million to Alameda Health System and $2 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The foundation's spend-down phase means grant sizes are elevated but the total number of remaining grant cycles is limited.
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne & Gladys Valley Foundation | ~$255M | ~$27M | Education, Catholic orgs, healthcare, youth | East Bay CA |
| The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation | ~$14B | ~$500M | Education, environment, arts, democracy | National/Global |
| S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation | Spent down (2020) | N/A (closed) | Education, environment, character | California |
| Marin Community Foundation | ~$2.5B | ~$100M | Broad community needs | Marin/Bay Area |
| Thomas J. Long Foundation | ~$200M | ~$10M | Education, healthcare, Catholic | Northern CA |
Valley occupies a distinctive niche as a mid-size, Catholic-aligned East Bay funder approaching spend-down. Its trajectory parallels the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, which completed its spend-down in 2020 after distributing approximately $1 billion. Like Bechtel, Valley is using its final years to make outsized capital investments. Compared to the Thomas J. Long Foundation (which shares similar Catholic and education interests in Northern California), Valley has been more aggressive in its late-stage giving. The foundation's closure will leave a significant gap in East Bay Catholic education and healthcare funding that other funders may not fill.
In 2023-2024, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation continued its elevated grantmaking pace as part of its spend-down strategy. Notable capital grants included $7.3 million to Cardinal Newman High School for a new student life center and library, $5 million to Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation for an applied science center, and $5 million to UC Davis Foundation for an all-species imaging center. Healthcare giving included $4.5 million to Alameda Health System and continued support for Lucile Packard Foundation, Mercy Retirement and Care Center, and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. Bay Point Family Health also received support for community health services. The foundation's annual giving of approximately $26.7 million represents a significant draw on its $255 million asset base, consistent with accelerated distribution in the final phase of operations. The Wix-hosted website remains the foundation's online presence, though it provides minimal program detail.
1. Act quickly — time is limited: The Valley Foundation is in spend-down mode and will cease operations in the coming years. If your organization has a project that aligns with its priorities, apply now rather than waiting. Each grant cycle brings fewer remaining dollars. 2. Prioritize capital projects: The foundation is making larger capital grants as its legacy strategy. Proposals for buildings, facility upgrades, major equipment purchases, or campus improvements are strongly favored over ongoing program support. 3. Leverage Catholic connections: Catholic institutions have historically received the foundation's largest grants. If your organization has Catholic affiliation or serves the Catholic community, highlight this prominently. 4. Demonstrate East Bay roots: The foundation's geographic heart is the East Bay Area of California. Organizations based in Oakland, Alameda County, and surrounding communities have the strongest positioning. 5. Contact the foundation directly: Reach out to the Executive Director at 510-466-6060 or info@wgvalley.org. Given the spend-down phase, early engagement is especially important — the foundation may have specific priorities for its remaining grant cycles that are not publicly advertised.
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Smallest Grant
$5K
Median Grant
$25K
Average Grant
$714K
Largest Grant
$13.3M
Based on 41 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
With approximately $255 million in remaining assets and annual grantmaking of about $26.7 million, the Valley Foundation distributes a high percentage of its corpus each year — consistent with a spend-down trajectory. The grant range spans $10,000 to $30 million, with a median of $50,000. Capital grants dominate recent giving: Cardinal Newman High School received $7.3 million for a student life center, Cal State East Bay received $5 million for an applied science center, and UC Davis received $5.
Wayne & Gladys Valley Charitable Foundation has distributed a total of $132.4M across 173 grants. The median grant size is $50K, with an average of $765K. Individual grants have ranged from $5K to $13.3M.
The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation is a spend-down foundation currently in its final years of operation. Founded in 1977 by the Valley family, it has been a cornerstone funder in the East Bay Area of California for nearly five decades. As the foundation approaches termination, its board has adopted a strategy of making larger-than-usual capital grants to create lasting physical infrastructure — buildings, facilities, and equipment — that will serve communities long after the foundation cease.
Wayne & Gladys Valley Charitable Foundation is headquartered in OAKLAND, CA. While based in CA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 5 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael D Desler | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $413K | $37K | $450K |
| Richard M Kingsland | DIRECTOR/CFO/VICE PRES. | $274K | $37K | $310K |
| Barbara B Lasalle | DIRECTOR | $37K | $0 | $37K |
| John V Stock | DIRECTOR | $37K | $0 | $37K |
| Tamara A Valley | CHAIR/PRESIDENT | $37K | $0 | $37K |
| Carolyn A Worth | SECRETARY/ASST. VICE PRES. | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$60.5M
Total Assets
$262.3M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$57.3M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$43.7M
Distribution Amount
$11.7M
Total Grants
173
Total Giving
$132.4M
Average Grant
$765K
Median Grant
$50K
Unique Recipients
121
Most Common Grant
$25K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands Of HopeCHRISTMAS GRANT | Yuba City, CA | $30K | 2023 |
| Salvation ArmyCHRISTMAS GRANT | Oakland, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Cardinal Newman High SchoolTOWARDS STUDENT LIFE CENTER AND LIBRARY | Santa Rosa, CA | $7.3M | 2023 |
| University Of California Davis FoundationTOWARDS ALL SPECIES IMAGING CENTER | Davis, CA | $5M | 2023 |
| Cal State East Bay Educational FoundationTOWARDS APPLIED SCIENCE CENTER | Hayward, CA | $5M | 2023 |
| Oregon State University FoundationTOWARDS RENOVATION OF RESER STADIUM | Corvallis, OR | $2.5M | 2023 |
| St Jude Children'S Research HospitalST. JUDE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE | Memphis, TN | $2M | 2023 |
| Buck Institute For Research On Aging1/3 TOWARDS A SIX-YEAR 'VALLEY FELLOWS FUND' | Novato, CA | $1M | 2023 |
| Alameda County Deputy Sheriff'S Activity LeagueTOWARDS FITNESS BARK FOR YOUTH AND ADULT SOCCER | San Leandro, CA | $750K | 2023 |
| The Hidden Genius ProjectTOWARDS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR ITS BUILDING IN OAKLAND | Oakland, CA | $400K | 2023 |
| Salesian College PreparatoryGYM RENOVATIONS: FLOOR, BLEACHERS, WINDOWS AND WATERPROOFING | Richmond, CA | $313K | 2023 |
| Charter School Of Morgan HillTOWARDS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE LEARNING LAB | Morgan Hill, CA | $300K | 2023 |
| Saint Patrick ParishTOWARDS RENOVATION OF SAINT PATRICK'S HALL | Rodeo, CA | $250K | 2023 |
| Lucile Packard Foundation For ChildrenECHOCARDIOGRAPHY MACHINES FOR BOTH LIVERMORE AND BRENTWOOD OFFICES | Palo Alto, CA | $210K | 2023 |
| Foundation For Students Rising AboveOPERATING BUDGET SUPPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING 6-30-23 | San Francisco, CA | $200K | 2023 |
| Youth Employment Partnership IncTOWARDS PURCHASING/RENOVATE HOUSING DORMITORY | Oakland, CA | $200K | 2023 |
| The Trust For Public LandTO HELP RENOVATE MARKHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND | San Francisco, CA | $200K | 2023 |
| Roman Catholic Welfare Corporation Of Oakland (Face)1/2 TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | Oakland, CA | $100K | 2023 |
| Berkeley Chess SchoolTOWARDS AN ADA COMPLAINT LIFT SYSTEM FOR THEIR BUILDING | Berkeley, CA | $60K | 2023 |
| Bay Area ScoresEXPANSION OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR | San Francisco, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| Down Syndrome Connectionof The Bay AreaOPERATING BUDGET SUPPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING 12-31-2023 | Danville, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| Catholic CharitiesTOWARDS OPERATING EXPENSES | Oakland, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| Northern California Pga FoundationTOWARDS OPERATING EXPENSES | Vacaville, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| St Mary'S CenterCHRISTMAS GRANT | Oakland, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| San Francisco Zoological SocietyEQUINE THERAPY PROGRAM | San Francisco, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| Oakland Catholic WorkersBUILDING IMPROVEMENTS FOR THEIR SPACE IN OAKLAND | Oakland, CA | $30K | 2023 |
| Oral Lee Brown FoundationBUDGET SUPPORT FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND SATURDAY TUTORIAL PROJECT | Oakland, CA | $30K | 2023 |
| Society Of St Vincent De Paul Contra Costa CountyCHRISTMAS GRANT | Pittsburg, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Society Of St Vincent De Paul Of Alameda CountyCHRISTMAS GRANT | Oakland, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Mercy Retirement And Care CenterCHRISTMAS GRANT | Oakland, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| St Vincent De Paul VillageCHRISTMAS GRANT | San Diego, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Fresh Start Surgical GiftsFOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN TO RECEIVE RECONSTRUCTIVE AND PLASTIC SURGERY | Calsbad, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| San Jose Mercury News Wish Book FundCHRISTMAS GRANT | San Jose, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Berkeley Food And HousingCHRISTMAS GRANT | Berkeley, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Davis Street Community CenterCHRISTMAS GRANT | San Leandro, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Building Futures With Women And ChildrenCHRISTMAS GRANT | San Leandro, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| United Service OrganizationsCHRISTMAS GRANT | Arlington, VA | $25K | 2023 |
| Early Alert CaninesOPERATING BUDGET SUPPORT FOR FISCAL 2013 | Concord, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Oakland Soccer ClubOPERATING BUDGET FOR 2023 SEASON | Oakland, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Ucsf Benioff'S Children'S Hospital FoundationCHRISTMAS GRANT | San Francisco, CA | $25K | 2023 |
| Dentist On WheelsTOWARDS PURCHASING ADDN'T EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE FREE DENTAL SERVICES | Alamo, CA | $16K | 2023 |
| The Nephrotic Syndrome FoundationBUDGET SUPPORT | Alamo, CA | $15K | 2023 |
| Marine Toys For Tots - Contra Costa CountyCHRISTMAS GRANT | Concord, CA | $13K | 2023 |
| University Of WashingtonOPERATING SUPPORT FOR WOMEN'S LACROSSE CLUB SUPPORT | Seattle, WA | $7K | 2023 |
| West Coast Equine FoundationOPERATING SUPPORT | Rancho Murieta, CA | $5K | 2023 |
| Ymca Of San Diego CountyOPERATING SUPPORT | Encinitas, CA | $5K | 2023 |
| Bishop O'Dowd High SchoolCONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ATHLETIC CENTER | Oakland, CA | $13.3M | 2022 |
| Uc Davis FoundationCONSTRUCTION OF THE ALL SPECIES IMAGING CENTER AND THE EQUIRE PERFORMANCE CENTER | Davis, CA | $5M | 2022 |
MENLO PARK, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
PALO ALTO, CA