Achievements of Representative Grantees
At The Valentine Foundation, we take pride in partnering with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and lasting community impact. Each of our grantees is carefully selected through a rigorous due diligence process to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with our mission. The achievements highlighted here reflect not only their dedication but also the trust we place in those we support to make a measurable difference.
Southeast Ventura County YMCA
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is deeply rooted in our local community, serving thousands of families throughout the region with programs that uplift and empower. Their signature Find My Genius program now supports over 700 children each year, providing academic enrichment and personal development opportunities to under-resourced youth during the summer months. In addition, their Safety Around Water initiative equips children with essential swimming skills and water safety knowledge—helping to prevent drownings and ensure every child can enjoy the water with confidence. Through these programs and more, the Y continues to be a vital force for equity, safety, and education in our community.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is driven by a bold vision to safeguard the Earth’s natural strongholds: forests, reefs, and other vital wilderness areas on land and at sea. With a diverse global staff of more than 3,700, WCS recognizes that wild places are essential to life.
Intact forests are home to 80 percent of all land-based plant and animal species, support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, and serve as powerful carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change. The ocean feeds over a billion people and produces half of the planet’s oxygen.
Through expansive fieldwork and world-class science, WCS identifies the needs of wildlife, develops effective conservation solutions, and rigorously measures the impact of its efforts. At the same time, its zoos and aquarium help build a global constituency for nature by inspiring people to care about and take action for the natural world.
The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami
The Rosenstiel School at the University of Miami is the only subtropical research institution of its kind in the continental United States. Since its founding in 1943, it has grown into one of the world’s leading centers for oceanographic and atmospheric research. Thanks to the support of The Valentine Foundation, a dedicated research vessel now enables scientists at the school to conduct critical fieldwork, including coral restoration efforts that have resulted in the planting of over 5,000 new corals. Through cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary education, and evidence-based environmental policy, the Rosenstiel School is not only advancing scientific understanding but also preparing the next generation of environmental leaders while improving the quality of life for communities around the world.
Kettering University
Kettering University, originally founded in 1919 as The School of Automobile Trades, has a rich history of innovation in education. Evolving into the Flint Institute of Technology in 1923, and later the General Motors Institute (GMI) in 1926, the university played a pivotal role in developing top-tier engineers and managers for the automotive industry. In 1998, the institution was renamed Kettering University in honor of inventor and GM founder Charles Kettering, reflecting its continued commitment to excellence in engineering, science, mathematics, and business.
Today, Kettering stands as one of the world’s premier institutions for STEM and business education, known for producing visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The Valentine Foundation proudly supports this mission by providing scholarships to twenty students each year, helping to foster the next generation of problem-solvers and changemakers.