Draft:Good For Others Foundation

Good For Others Foundation (GFOF) is a United States-based nonprofit organization focused on workforce development, social innovation, and educational equity. GFO collaborates with government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and social finance partners to improve employment outcomes and career pathways for historically underserved populations. Its approach emphasizes aligning training with market demand, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and leveraging evidence-based strategies to help individuals attain sustainable, family-supporting wages.

History
The Good For Others Foundation was founded in 2021 to address systemic barriers in workforce training and career advancement. Building on John Valencia’s experience in leading award-winning regional initiatives, GFO focuses on developing scalable models to guide unemployed and underrepresented individuals into in-demand fields. Over time, its focus expanded to include ecosystem-level efforts, strengthening ties among educational institutions, employers, and policymakers.

Programs and Initiatives
Workforce Development Projects: GFOF offers professional skills training, apprenticeship readiness programs, technical certifications, and related services. These initiatives aim to align with regional economic trends, meeting both employer demand and the needs of job seekers.

Community College Partnerships: GFOF collaborates with community colleges to refine curricula, improve retention and completion rates, and integrate supportive services. These partnerships streamline the transition from education to the workforce, enhancing students’ long-term employability.

Social Innovation Incubation: By convening stakeholders—employers, educators, policymakers, and community advocates—GFO facilitates best-practice exchanges. This approach encourages cross-sector alignment and drives the adoption of equitable talent pipeline strategies.

High Road Training Partnerships Award In 2023, the California Workforce Development Agency's Development Board. recognized GFO’s efforts through its High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) initiative. The Foundation received nearly USD $5 million for the NonProfit Sector High Road Training Program focusing on improving employment pathways in the nonprofit sector. This program emphasizes job quality, sustainable career progression, and stronger alignment between employer needs and training models.

Partnership with Mission Driven Finance GFO’s partnership with Mission Driven Finance illustrates its commitment to leveraging innovative financial solutions. Mission Driven Finance, an impact investment firm, provides flexible capital to support GFOF’s HRTP-related initiatives. This collaboration enables scaling of training opportunities, participant support services, and the refinement of delivery models that enhance workforce capacity in the nonprofit arena.

Podcast The Good For Others Foundation produces a podcast focusing on trends and best practices in workforce development, social innovation, and educational equity. Episodes feature interviews with educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and program participants, showcasing insights into effective strategies and emerging developments in the field.

Thought Leadership and Conference Appearances GFOF’s leadership and representatives regularly speak at national conferences and forums on topics such as implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in the nonprofit sector. As noted by The San Diego Foundation, GFOF shares best practices for adopting innovative technologies to streamline operations, improve organizational efficiency, and enhance programmatic impact.

Impact and Recognition Independent evaluations, philanthropic funders, and governmental reports have recognized GFOF’s work in advancing equitable workforce solutions. Measurable outcomes often include increases in job placement rates, wage gains, and participant retention in training programs—particularly among historically underrepresented groups. These achievements highlight GFOF’s contribution to shaping more inclusive and sustainable workforce ecosystems.

Leadership John Valencia, President & CEO of Good For Others, oversees GFO’s strategic direction. With prior roles as Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development and Vice President of Innovation within the community college system, Valencia has played a key role in designing and implementing major workforce initiatives, including CyberHire San Diego and the Apprenticeship Readiness Collaborative

Funding, Governance, and Legal Status GFOF’s funding portfolio includes philanthropic grants, government contracts, private donations, and corporate sponsorships. Its Board of Directors and advisory committees provide oversight, ensuring transparency, fiscal responsibility, and adherence to best practices in nonprofit governance. The Good For Others Foundation’s existence and compliance with charitable regulations is documented in the California Attorney General’s Charity Registry.