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William Gladden Foundation (WGF) is a nonprofit organization duly incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1982 and granted 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status by the IRS in 1986.  In 1990, WGF moved its headquarters to Tallahassee Florida.

WGF is named for William D. "Pappy" Gladden and William H. Gladden, Jr., father and son, former Executive Directors, Pennsylvania George Junior Republic School for Boys.

Dr. Waln Brown was a Republic student. He attributes much of his success in turning around his life to the Gladdens.  While Waln was researching his doctoral dissertation at the Republic, Bill Gladden, Jr. died in a plane crash.  With no other sons to continue in his footsteps, "Pappy" asked Waln to carry on his mission of helping troubled young people.  Waln honored his request by forming WGF.

The mission of WGF is to educate kids, parents and professionals about issues that adversely affect families and the outcomes of young people.  WGF advances its mission through publishing and research.

Publishing develops materials for youth at risk, their families and the professionals that serve them.  Since 1982, WGF has published more than 300 youth and family related materials sold to 20,000 schools, agencies and organizations and distributed to 5,000,000 readers.  On October 12, 2004, WGF launched williamgladdenfoundation.org, an Internet website that provides free access to its library of youth and family information.

Research focuses on outcome studies designed to learn why some troubled and disenfranchised kids overcome their difficulties while others do not.  In 1997, WGF established the World Organization of Resilient Kids (WORK) through grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Milton Hershey School.  WORK is an honorary organization that utilizes the experiences and expertise of former youth at risk to advance knowledge about resiliency and reclaiming troubled children.