The Great Valley Center (GVC) is working region wide towards a more successful future for the Central Valley. We are a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit unique regional organization trusted by community and business leaders, policy-makers and elected officials for its innovative programs and expertise in generating and sustaining community engagement.

Our Mission

The mission of the Great Valley Center is to support activities and organizations that promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of California’s Great Central Valley.

What we do

Building a brighter future and improving the quality of life in the Central Valley

GVC was established for the purpose of providing a regional intermediary with a broad mandate to engage in a number of strategies that would increase the long term sustainability of the Central Valley. GVC works on multiple fronts engaging and informing citizens, training local leaders, and delivering programs that respond directly to critical gaps in the Valley’s communities.

GVC provides planning, problem-solving and information to activate civic participation, with programs in energy, social equity and digital literacy. Our well-respected leadership institutes train elected officials, emerging and established community leaders to improve their skills as representatives, communicators, networkers, and policy-makers. The Great Valley Center is also committed to providing reliable, neutral data that provides context and a meaningful analysis of trends by sponsoring major studies on the Valley’s key issues such as housing, health, transportation, education and the economy.

With our programs, projects, initiatives and a Vision for the Valley, GVC is working to bring people together to solve the area’s most difficult challenges.

Nowhere else in California is an organization replicating the array of civic engagement and direct service programs provided by the Great Valley Center; nor is any other organization having such a significant impact on a region as vital and large as California’s Central Valley. As an organization implementing a number of model programs, GVC offers multiple examples of how one thoughtful and motivated organization can help a diverse citizenry get informed, get involved and get excited about the future.

History

The Great Valley Center was founded in 1997. Initial support for GVC was made possible through a cooperative philanthropic effort by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Today the Great Valley Center continues to be supported by foundations, individuals and corporations who have an interest in improving the Central Valley’s quality of life.

GVC’s Board of Directors has adopted a policy of non-advocacy. Therefore, the Great Valley Center does not endorse candidates or ballot initiatives.

David Hosley
President Emeritus
2008-2011
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Carol Whiteside
President Emeritus
1997-2007
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