GET THE FACTS ABOUT ONLINE RUMORS!

The reality is that there is no shortage of misinformation that can be found online – and that includes misinformation about Goodwill. We want to make sure you have the facts about our organization, our people and our services so that you can donate with confidence.

Goodwill is the leading workforce provider in North America, placing someone in a new job every minute of every business day. Goodwill has more than a 120-year track record of providing services to people going through transition, whether due to military service, lack of education or work experience, mental or physical challenges, or the impact of the criminal justice system.

As a nonprofit, Goodwill does not have an owner and is run by a volunteer board of directors. Steve Preston is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, and the local Goodwill organizations have their own CEOs.

We know that you want your donations to be used wisely, so here are the facts about Goodwill:

  • More than 85 percent of revenue from the sale of donated goods at Goodwill organizations goes back to the local community. This revenue supports and grows critical community-based programs and services, including job placement and training, credentials and certifications, and support services, such as child care, financial education, mentoring and transportation. This is well above the Better Business Bureau’s accountability standards, which require that an organization spend 65 percent of its total expenses on program services.
  • Every day, Goodwill helps more than 350 people find a good job.
  • In 2023, 2.1 million people utilized Goodwill services to develop new skills rand advance in their careers. Additionally, nearly 129,000 people used Goodwill services to secure new jobs and career advancement opportunities both within Goodwill and with other employers.
  • Goodwill operates more than 30 adult charter high schools called The Excel Center®, which prepares students with both a high school diploma and credentials as well as free childcare for adult learners. These graduates are showing significantly higher wages, going on to obtain higher degrees and even their children are demonstrating improved academic performance.
  • Through Goodwill organizations’ donated goods operations, 4 billion pounds of people’s usable goods have been recovered by selling them in Goodwill stores and outlets as well as online, giving them a second life and giving people a second chance.

Goodwill® is proud to be recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest rating for nonprofit organizations. Goodwill also retains the highest ranking given by Charity Watch, formerly known as the American Institute of Philanthropy, which provides information about charities’ financial efficiency, accountability, governance and fundraising.

There are more than 150 local 501(c)(3) Goodwill organizations in the U.S. and Canada as well as a presence in 12 other countries.

BE AN ADVOCATE

Goodwill encourages you to research and learn more about the charities you want to support. Read more about Goodwill’s impact on the lives of individuals through our programs, and view Goodwill’s feature in the Better Business Bureau trust report.

DOCUMENTS

We invite you to view our 990 (2022), 990-T(2022), Audited Financial Statement (2022), financial donors and information regarding our Board of Directors.

You can be an advocate for Goodwill. When you hear or read false Internet rumors, please help set the record straight and share this link.