By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International
On Thursday, April 18, advocates from more than 40 local Goodwills around the country — including executives, board members, program participants, and others — met with over 200 Members of Congress and staff for our annual Goodwill on the Hill event. Advocates discussed four key topics including: protecting federal funding for job-training and workforce development programs; expanding the charitable giving deduction to all taxpayers; reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and the role Goodwill plays in textile recycling.
A Virtual Advocacy Day was also held to allow those who couldn’t join us on Capitol Hill in person, to help amplify our message. Via our Legislative Action Center, nearly 200 letters were sent to lawmakers to raise awareness of our issues. Many of our advocates shared their experiences on social media along with photos throughout the day. You can view the photos and messages yourself on Twitter (X) @GoodwillCapHill and LinkedIn and search #GoodwillOnTheHill.
Meeting feedback reports from the advocates resulted in opportunities to gain political intelligence, garner interest in our issues, solicit champions for The Charitable Act (HR 3435/S. 566), and secure commitments to have lawmakers visit their local Goodwills when back in the district.
Building and maintaining relationships with lawmakers is a year-round activity. However, Goodwill on the Hill provides a great opportunity for the Goodwill network to come together with one voice to educate lawmakers and staff about Goodwill’s mission and programs, equipping them with the information they need to make informed decisions when drafting legislation, and influencing their votes on policies that affect Goodwill and the people and communities they serve.
