Goodwill Industries International Inc.
Founded1902 (1902)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
FounderThe Reverend Edgar J. Helms[1][2]
53-0196517, 04-2106765
FocusVocational rehabilitation for disabled persons
Headquarters15810 Indianola Drive
Derwood, Maryland (Rockville mailing address) 20855
United States[3]
Number of locations4,245 thrift stores (2021)
Area served
17 countries
ProductsRetail
Key people
Steven C. Preston
(President & CEO)[4]
Revenue
US$7.4 billion (2022)
Websitewww.goodwill.org

Goodwill Industries International Inc., simply known as Goodwill is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have barriers to their employment.[5]

Goodwill Industries also hires veterans and individuals who lack either education, job experience or face employment challenges. The nonprofit is funded by a network of 3,200+ retail thrift stores that operate as independent nonprofits. Goodwill Industries operates as a network of independent, community-based organizations in South Korea, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, and eight other countries, with 165 local Goodwill retail stores in the United States and Canada.[6] It slowly expanded from its founding in 1902 and was first called Goodwill in 1915.[7] In fiscal year 2018, Goodwill organizations generated $6.1 billion in revenue, of which $5.27 billion was spent on charitable services, and $646 million was spent on salaries and other operating expenses. Services constituted 89 percent of expenses.[8] In 2015, the group served more than 37 million people, with more than 312,000 people placed into employment.[9] Goodwill Industries' logo is a stylized letter g, resembling a smiling face, designed by Joseph Selame in 1968.[10]

Retail History

A Goodwill in Brooklyn

In 1902, the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston started Goodwill as part of his ministry.[11] Helms and his congregation collected used household goods and clothing being discarded in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the unemployed or impoverished to mend and repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need or were given to the needy people who helped repair them. In 1915, Helms hosted a visit to Morgan Memorial by representatives of a workshop mission in Brooklyn, NY so they could learn the innovative programs and operating techniques of the "Morgan Memorial Cooperative Industries and Stores, Inc." Helms was subsequently invited to visit New York. Out of these exchanges came Brooklyn's willingness to adopt and adapt the Morgan Memorial's way of doing things, while Helms was persuaded Brooklyn's name for its workshop, "Goodwill Industries", was preferable to the Morgan Memorial name. Thus, was officially born Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, plus Brooklyn's interest and ties, this became the foundation on which Goodwill Industries was to be built as an international movement.[12] Goodwill has become an international nonprofit organization that, as of 2016, takes in more than $4.8 billion in annual revenue and provides more than 300,000 people with job training and community services each year.[13] In 1999, George Kessinger, at the time head of Goodwill of Orange County, started shopgoodwill.org;[14] it is the first ecommerce auction platform created, owned, and operated by a nonprofit organization. While many Goodwill member stores had previously sold some donations online, in 2022, Goodwill Industries International Inc. launched its first centralized online business called GoodwillFinds.[15]

Operations

A Goodwill store in Oregon (2017)

In 1999, Goodwill launched the first nonprofit internet auction site in the United States.[16] By 2006, Goodwill Industries International had a network of 207 member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 23 other countries.[17] As of July 2011, there are 164 full Goodwill members in the United States and Canada. These are each independent social enterprises that operate their own regional Goodwill retail stores and job training programs. Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, Boston, is the enterprise operated in Boston, where Goodwill was founded.[18]

The clothing and household goods donated to Goodwill are sold in more than 3,200 Goodwill retail stores,[13] on its Internet auction site shopgoodwill.com, and eBay by a number of its regional stores.[19] Most of the items on www.shopgoodwill.com are either considered collectible or more valuable than their auction price, and bidding can be fierce. Each regional store lists on the site what they believe will sell at an initial auction or buy-it-now price, so the items are purchased for fair market value. Antiques, and collectibles ranging from baskets to books, jewelry, comic books, furniture, small electronics, appliances, and even automobiles are listed.

The revenues fund job training and other services to prepare people for job success. Examples of Goodwill's presence on eBay are Goodwill Industries of Maine, Seattle, San Francisco, and many other locations. Goodwill locations that operate on eBay research donated items for higher profit than could be brought in-store, and instead list those items on eBay for auction.

In 2010, through their involvement in Goodwill's programs, more than 170,000 people were placed into employment. They earned $2.7 billion in salaries and wages, and as tax-paying citizens, they contributed to the community. This amounts to an average annual earning of less than $16,000.[20] Goodwill also generates income to help businesses and the federal government fill gaps caused by labor shortages, time constraints, and limited space or equipment. Local Goodwill branches train and employ contract workers to fill outsourced needs for document management, assembly, mailing, custodial work, grounds keeping and more. Goodwill claims that more than 84 percent of its total revenue is used to fund education and career services and other critical community programs.[13] Also in 2010, Goodwill provided people with training careers in industries such as banking, IT and health care, as well as offering English-language training, education, transportation, and childcare services.[20]

When merchandise cannot be sold at a normal Goodwill store, it is taken to a "Goodwill Outlet" or "Bargain Store" where items are mostly sold by weight, with prices ranging from $0.49 to $1.89 per pound, depending on the location. The wide selection and massive discounts on a variety of household goods typically attract a fervent following of regular customers, some of whom make a full-time living buying and re-selling goods. There are also many vendors who buy this merchandise in bulk, and they send the merchandise to third-world countries.

As of December 2011, CharityWatch rated the Goodwill Industries an "A".[21]

In January 2016, Goodwill Industries of Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario closed its 16 stores and 10 donation centres after 80 years of operations, citing cash problems. The six other Canadian Goodwill Industries Branches remain operational.[22]

In 2019, Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan announced that it is receiving a $1.25 million grant fund from the Amazon CEO's Day One Families Fund.[23]

In May 2022, Goodwill Industries International’s announced a $14 million investment in their Digital Career Accelerator. The donation made by Google.org of $7 million in direct grants and $7 million in search ads on Google aims to reach more than 2,000,000 people across the U.S and Canada through infrastructure expansion to aid the development of digital skills and career training.[24]

Helms College and Edgar's Hospitality Group

In 2021, MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million to Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia (GIMG), the only Goodwill that includes an accredited vocational college: Helms College.[25] The college and academic programms offer certificates, diplomas, and degrees in culinary arts, industrial trades, and medical services; and use the restaurants within Edgar's Hospitality Group as applied learning venues for its culinary students. It is named after Edgar Helms, founder of Goodwill. GIMG is the only Goodwill in the world operating a college and hospitality venue to serve the mission.[26]

GIMG also dealt with former CFO Tim Ligon stealing $75,000 from the organization.[27]

Castro pop-up

In November 2010, for the first time, Goodwill opened a store in San Francisco, California, specifically designed to hire employees who are transgender, gay, or lesbian. The temporary or "Pop-up" store was a unique partnership between Goodwill of San Francisco and the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative. The Castro Pop-up store closed in April 2011, and staff were transferred to various Goodwill stores throughout the San Francisco area.[28]

POP! at South by Southwest

Goodwill Industries International and Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (Austin) hosted their first "pop-up" retail shop, POP!, at South by Southwest in 2013.[29]

In 2010, Goodwill launched the Donate Movement to demonstrate the value that donated goods have for people and the planet. Goodwill's vision for the Donate icon is a universal reminder to 'recycle' through responsible donation, helping provide opportunities for others while diverting usable items from landfills.[30]

21st-Century Initiative

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2002, Goodwill Industries launched an international workforce development initiative designed to integrate 20 million people into the workplace by the year 2020.

Known as the Goodwill Industries 21st Century Initiative, the plan includes broad strategies for getting people into good jobs that enable them to become self-sufficient. These strategies include providing job and technology training for a 21st-century workforce, offering family strengthening services to support workers and their families, and developing business opportunities to employ individuals who were previously considered unemployable.[31]

Women Veterans initiative

As part of the Joining Forces campaign of First Ladies, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Goodwill has hired nearly 1,800 veterans and military family members and served nearly 100,000 more with job training and placement services.[32]

In June 2013, Goodwill announced an initiative with the goal of engaging 3,000 women veterans over the next two years with services and support that lead to economic self-sufficiency.[33]

GoodProspects

GoodProspects is an online program of Goodwill where people exploring career options can get advice from people who have worked in the field in which they are interested. Career mentors advising users are online volunteers. GoodProspects was launched in the Fall of 2011, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. It is currently supported by Accenture and SafeLink Wireless.[34] [35]

Donation policies

Goodwill donation bin at a Safeway store in Fairfax County, VA

Goodwill has policies on donations, including items that it can accept. It will only accept items that can be resold, whether in the retail stores, on-line, or as bulk lots.

Goodwill stores generally do not accept donations such as automotive parts, furniture showing signs of damage, large appliances including stoves, refrigerators, washers/dryers, or exercise equipment. Most stores also do not accept hazardous materials such as paint, medications, or building materials such as doors, wood, nails, etc. For liability reasons, Goodwill generally does not accept baby cribs or car seats. Sanitary regulations prohibit accepting mattress donations, and although some Goodwill stores sell brand new mattresses, most locations are unable. Because of safety concerns, particularly lead content in painted products, some Goodwill stores do not accept certain toys.[36]

Goodwill generally accepts donations of clothing, shoes, books, accessories (handbags, belts), dishes, furniture in good condition, household decorations, small appliances including vacuum cleaners, and consumer electronics including alarm clocks. Even if they are deemed unfit to be sold in a store, these items can be sold as bulk lots, and so they can still generate income.[37]

Depending on local laws, the value of the goods donated can be used as a tax deduction.

Almost all Goodwill locations closed during state-wide mandates at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have now reopened. However, the donation policies of individual locations have changed. Many locations are now only accepting donations on selected days in order to keep up with the surplus of supplies they are receiving and to get a chance to properly sanitize the stores.[38]

Criticism and compensation

Executive compensation

In 2005, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette (GICW), Goodwill's Portland, Oregon, branch, came under scrutiny due to executive compensation that the Oregon attorney general's office concluded was "unreasonable". The President of the Portland branch, Michael Miller, received $838,508 in pay and benefits for fiscal year 2004, which was reportedly out of line in comparison to other charity executives and placed him in the top one percent of American wage earners. After being confronted with the state's findings, Miller agreed to a 24% reduction in pay, and GICW formed a new committee and policy for handling matters of employee compensation.[39][40]

A 2013 article on Watchdog.org reported that Goodwill's tax returns showed that more than 100 Goodwills pay less than minimum wage while simultaneously paying more than $53.7 million in total compensation to top executives.[41] Douglas Barr, former CEO of the Goodwill of Southern California, was the highest paid Goodwill executive in the country.[42] He received total compensation worth $1,188,733, including a base salary of $350,200, bonuses worth $87,550, retirement benefits of $71,050, and $637,864 in deferred compensation, after serving as CEO for 17 years. This is often incorrectly cited as his salary[41] "In 2011, the Columbia Willamette Goodwill, one of the largest in the country, says it paid $922,444 in commensurate wages to approximately 250 people with developmental disabilities. These employees worked 159,584 hours for an average hourly wage of $5.78. The lowest paid worker received just $1.40 per hour."[41]

In 2018, CEO Rich Cantz of Goodwill Northern New England (NNE) put out a video statement addressing the false "Think Before You Donate" rumors that alleged owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year from the organization, and no money was going to charity.[43] In the statement, he says that Goodwill NNE does, in fact, give to charities and works to provide resources for brain injury rehabilitation centers, those with disabilities, and veterans seeking work. Further, the website states that "Mark Curran" is neither the owner nor CEO. As of 2020, Steven Preston is the CEO of Goodwill Industries International and has to report to a volunteer board of directors.[44] In 2020, the stores in New England were still running a voiceover during shopping hours that reiterated this message to shoppers. The claims appeared in a longer email covering several for-profit and non-profit organizations, which was also debunked by Snopes.[45]

Workers' wages

Goodwill donation center in Hillsboro, Oregon

Goodwill Industries International has been criticized by some for using a provision of federal labor law to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, organizations can obtain a "special wage certificate" to pay workers with disabilities a commensurate wage based on performance evaluations.[46] Of Goodwill's 105,000 employees, 7,300 are paid under the special wage certificate program.[47] The National Federation of the Blind considers it "unfair, discriminatory, and immoral".[48] Other disability rights advocates have defended Goodwill's use of the special wage certificate to employ workers with disabilities. Terry Farmer, CEO of ACCSES, a trade group that calls itself the "voice of disability service providers", said scrapping the provision could "force [disabled workers] to stay at home", enter rehabilitation, "or otherwise engage in unproductive and unsatisfactory activities".[49] Goodwill believes that the policy is "a tool to create employment for people with disabilities" who would not otherwise be employed.[50] Goodwill notes that "Eliminating it would remove an important tool for employers and an employment option available to people with severe disabilities and their families. Without the law, many people with disabilities could lose their jobs."[51] Goodwill has urged Congress to "support legislation that would strengthen the FLSA and increase its enforcement", and to "preserve opportunities for people with disabilities who would otherwise lose the chance to realize the many tangible and intangible benefits of work.".[52] A 2013 FLSA fact sheet from Goodwill states that "Without FLSA Section 14(c), many more people with severe disabilities would experience difficulty in participating in the workforce. These jobs provide individuals with paychecks that they would be unlikely to receive otherwise, as well as ongoing services and support, job security, and the opportunity for career advancement."[53]

Lobbying

A coalition of smaller charities in California had complained about Goodwill's support for legislation encouraging greater regulation of donation boxes,[54] calling the efforts an "attempt to corner the clothing donation market and make more money".[55] Local Goodwills have argued that donation boxes divert money from the community and contribute to blight, and have pushed for state legislation that requires owners of a donation box to clearly display information about whether it is a for-profit or nonprofit organization.[54]

References

  1. ↑ "Portrait honors Goodwill founder, Cornell College alumnus". Cornell College. August 18, 2015. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (18 October 2019). "Maryland's Goodwill chapter expanding — and evolving — a century later". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990" (PDF). Goodwill Industries, Inc. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Goodwill Industries International Announces New President and CEO". Goodwill. October 30, 2018. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Goodwill Industries International, Inc. - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  6. ↑ "Annual Report". Goodwill Industries International. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Global - Goodwill Industries International, Inc". goodwill.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Goodwill Industries International". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ "About Us". Goodwill Industries International. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  10. ↑ Heller, Steven (April 20, 2011). "Joseph Selame, Designer of Corporate Logos, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Methodist Churches in Boston Since 1792 - School of Theology Library". bu.edu. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  12. ↑ Lewis, John Fulton; America, Goodwill Industries of (1977). Goodwill: for the love of people. Goodwill Industries of America. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  13. 1 2 3 "Celebrating the 15th Annual National Mentoring Month, Goodwill® Looks to Engage Volunteers throughout January". Goodwill Industries. 2017. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  14. ↑ Lauren Debter. "Goodwill’s Hidden Gem: A Growing Online Business That's Sold $1 Billion Of Used Stuff". Forbes. 2021.
  15. ↑ "Iconic Goodwill gets serious with a national online shop for thrifters". 2022.
  16. ↑ Hosaka, Tomoko (August 28, 1999). "Goodwill to Launch Auction Web Site". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  17. ↑ Hartmann, Michael E. (February 2006). "Helping People to Help Themselves". Philanthropy Magazine. Philanthropy Roundtable. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Goodwill's History". Goodwill Industries. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  19. ↑ Gladstone, Rick (May 18, 2003). "Bulletin Board; Charity in Cyberspace". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  20. 1 2 – Autum Beel. "About Us | Goodwill Industries International, Inc". Goodwill.org. Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  21. ↑ Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report, Volume Number 59, December 2011
  22. ↑ Brazao, Dale (January 17, 2016). "16 Ontario Goodwill stores shut down". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Goodwill To Receive $1.25M Grant From Jeff Bezos Fund". The Ticker | Traverse City News & Events. Archived from the original on November 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Google.org invests $14 million in Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator". Philanthropy News Digest. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  25. ↑ "Amazon founder Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott gifts $10 million to Augusta-area Goodwill". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  26. ↑ "About Goodwill | Goodwill Industries - Middle Georgia & the CSRA". Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  27. ↑ "Goodwill pursues criminal charges against former CFO Tim Ligon of Madison". Morgan County Citizen. 2021-09-07. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  28. ↑ Leff, Lisa (November 28, 2010). "Goodwill thrives at San Francisco thrift store". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  29. ↑ "POP!: Goodwill® Debuts First-ever Pop-up Shop At SXSW". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  30. ↑ "About the Donate Movement". Goodwill Industries International. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Goodwill Industries International - Goodwill's 21st Century Initiative". 8 September 2009. Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Goodwill to Announce New Initiative to Serve Women Veterans - Goodwill Industries International". Rockville, Maryland. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Goodwill to Announce Women Veteran Hiring Initiativet". Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  34. ↑ "About GoodProspects". Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  35. ↑ "About GoodProspects archived page in September 2011". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  36. ↑ Abelson, Jenn (February 27, 2009). "Lead law puts thrift stores in lurch". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Acceptable Donations | What Does Goodwill Take?". Goodwill NNE. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  38. ↑ "COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Goodwill Industries International. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  39. ↑ Denson, Bryan; Kosseff, Jeff (December 20, 2005). "Goodwill chief agrees to pay cut". National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Response to Oregon Department of Justice Audit Report" (PDF). Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette. December 20, 2005. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  41. 1 2 3 Hrabe, John (May 6, 2013). "Policies, tax dollars enrich Goodwill execs". Watchdog.org. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Leadership". Goodwill Southern California. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Think Before You Donate". Goodwill Industries International. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 Nov 2020.
  44. ↑ "Is Mark Curran CEO and Owner of Goodwill Industries?". Goodwill NNE. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  45. ↑ David Mikkelson (22 Nov 2017). "Think Before You Donate!". Snopes. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  46. ↑ "The Issue of Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities". National Federation of the Blind. Archived from the original on May 6, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  47. ↑ Hrabe, John (September 25, 2013). "Goodwill's Charity Racket: CEOs Earn Top-Dollar, Workers Paid Less Than Minimum Wage". HuffPost. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Americans with Disabilities to Protest Goodwill's Subminimum Wages" (Press release). National Federation of the Blind. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  49. ↑ Schecter, Anna (June 25, 2013). "Disabled workers paid just pennies an hour – and it's legal". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  50. ↑ Hrabe, John (May 15, 2013). "Goodwill Minimum Wage Loophole Will Shock You". HuffPost. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Special Minimum Wage Q&A – and it's legal" (PDF). Goodwill White Paper. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Fair Wages Position Paper" (PDF). Goodwill White Paper. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  53. ↑ "FLSA Section 14 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Goodwill Fact Sheet. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  54. 1 2 "Goodwill pushes for greater regulation of donation boxes". CalWatchdog.org. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  55. ↑ Hrabe, John (May 27, 2013). "Nonprofits fight donation regulations". CalWatchdog.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
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