To advance the mission of the organization, Goodwill Industries International (GII) focuses on policy areas impacting:
EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS ATTAINMENT
Workforce Development/Job Training
As North America's leading nonprofit provider of employment training, job placement services and other community programs for people looking to secure employment and build their skills, we advocate for training and employment opportunities that help these populations find jobs and careers.
Employment of Older Workers
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) helps provide low-income older workers with community service employment and private sector job placements. As a national SCSEP grantee, we support policies and federal investments that help older workers participate in the workforce and reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Employment of Second Chance Individuals
We call upon key stakeholders to come together to create systemic changes that support second chance individual as both behind the bars and upon release.
Employment of Veterans, Military Service Members and Their Families
We have a long history (dating back to World War I) of helping returning veterans -- many with disabilities and other employment challenges -- reenter the workforce and society. We are committed to promoting policies and practices that help the nation meet the daunting challenge of seamlessly transitioning into civilian jobs and careers that the large number of service members returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts face -- and despite a job market that is expected to remain tight in the near future.
Employment of People with Disabilities
Goodwill aspires for all individuals, including people with disabilities, to reach their full potential and enhance their quality of life. We advocate for policies that will increase competitive integrated employment policies for people with disabilities while honoring opportunities for choice, to earn wages, to reach potential, to experience improved quality of life, and to achieve social acceptance and integration.
Youth Employment
Employment opportunities for young people are expected to be few and far between as the job market slowly recovers. Historically, youth employment rates are the first to decline during times of recession and the slowest to improve during times of recovery. We believe it is important for young people to have access to training and employment opportunities that teach them job skills that they will use as they make the transition into positive and productive adulthood.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY
Human Service Programs
Local Goodwill organizations take a holistic approach to serving individuals and families. As such, we support policies that protect human service programs, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to asset development programs.
NONPROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Charitable Giving
Each year, Goodwill organizations collectively raise billions of dollars by selling donated clothes and household items. More than 85% of our revenue goes directly toward supporting and growing critical community-based programs and services. Goodwill has earned the trust and support of 107 million donors, many of whom rely upon charitable giving incentives. Goodwill works to protect and enhance charitable giving incentives.
Environmental Sustainability
Through the "reuse" and "repurpose" model, Goodwill organizations help communities extend the life of items and prevent more items from piling up in local landfills. In addition, Goodwill organizations serve as sustainability innovators by harnessing renewable energy, from installing solar panels on their roofs to becoming Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, a rating system devised by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Federal Contracts
The AbilityOne program is the largest provider of employment opportunities for those who are either blind or have significant disabilities, employing people on federal contracts through a network of nonprofit agencies, including local Goodwill organizations.
