Goodwill: Facts and Fiction
False statements about Goodwill – and why they occur
For years there has been false information circulating about a “Mark Curran, CEO & Owner of Goodwill who earns $2.3 million a year.” This is a fictitious character who does not exist. The real CEO of Goodwill Industries International is Jim Gibbons and he doesn’t earn anywhere near that large of salary.
So why is there criticism and false information about Goodwill and other worthy charities? Some entities – seeking profit – spread misinformation to divert public donations away from worthy charitable causes. It is important to recognize that some organizations operating thrift stores or donation bins give as little as five percent of their overall revenue to charity. According to CharityWatch, formerly known as the American Institute of Philanthropy, charities should devote 60 percent or greater from their overall revenues on charitable programs. CharityWatch notes highly efficient charities are able to spend 75 percent or more on programs. At Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, we exceed 91 percent.
We use our thrift store business, private and public donations, and additional revenue sources to fund free job training and employment services in a variety of career fields for the unemployed. At Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region we invest more than 91 cents of every dollar earned on job training programs and community-based services for our region’s most vulnerable unemployed. We operate four job training centers and two satellite offices across 15 counties that serve 10,300 people a year with job search and placement services, and free training in barista, construction, culinary, office, warehouse/logistics, and many other career fields.
We encourage you to research Goodwill from reputable sources and learn more about the charities you support. Be certain the organization you choose uses its revenue for charitable purposes in support of a mission you are passionate about.
Facts about Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
Mission
- 10,349 people provided job training and support including 2,642 young adults at REACH Center
- 3,200 people were placed in jobs with 1,150companies saving taxpayers $23+ Million from discontinued welfare and disability payments and from the taxes paid as people went to work
- 81% of Goodwill employees–1,300 people–with disabilities or have other barriers to employment work at Goodwill with a payroll of nearly $31,000,000
Fund Raising
- Raised $1.7 million in charitable support for Goodwill
- Received a two-year, $125,000 grant from United Way Centers for Strong Families
- A $125,000 grant supporting Goodwill’s Veteran Services program, Operation: GoodJobs was received from Boeing
- Membership in the Corporate Alliance Program grew to 19 partners in year three of the program
Business
- 37 Retail Stores and an E-Commerce business
- 108 million pounds of household donations including 7.8 million pounds of electronic recycling
- 337 commercial and residential clients of Go2 Property Services for landscaping, custodial and facility maintenance
- Neighborhood Bistro catering served over 200 clients and Goodwill’s Coffee Buzz, with two locations, completed its 7th year of business
General
- 1,164 people from 20 organizations used Goodwill’s community meeting rooms during the year and 60 companies received briefing & tours at Goodwill’s Milgard Work Opportunity Center
- 1,618 total positions on the payroll
- Total revenue of $78 million
- Overhead costs of less than 9%