When you donate to Goodwill, you’re doing more than clearing out space in your home: You’re creating opportunities for people in your community to thrive. At Goodwill, we are driven by our mission to help individuals find employment, build independence and overcome barriers to success.
Give Your Good. It’s a simple phrase, but it carries so much meaning. Whether it’s a bag of clothes, household items or toys — your donation fuels programs that change lives.
When you walk into a Goodwill Store or Donation Center, you’re greeted by staff who are passionate about what they do. Goodwill employees are always ready and eager to assist. Whether it’s helping you find what you’re looking for, providing guidance or offering a friendly smile, they go above and beyond to ensure a positive experience. These personal connections make every donation feel more meaningful because our employees know firsthand how much each one can change a life.
The journey of your donation begins the moment it leaves your hands. It’s not just placed on a shelf — to ensure that your donations go to those who need them most, each item goes through a thoughtful process.
- Sorting – Staff carefully categorize your donations, such as clothing, electronics, furniture, decorations and cookware to make stocking quicker.
- Quality Check – Items are inspected for damage, stains or other issues to ensure that only the items suitable for sale make it to the sales floor.
- Pricing – Employees price items using baseline pricing, ensuring that the quality of each item exceeds minimum pricing standards.
- Tagging – Each item is tagged with a color-coded barcode label, allowing staff to efficiently manage inventory. These colored barcode tags are rotated every five weeks and are highlighted during our Color of the Week promotion, where items that have been in the store for four weeks are discounted.
- Placement on the Sales Floor – Employees in each department are responsible for selecting the items to display on the sales floor from the backroom. This fosters autonomy and allows Goodwill staff to make informed decisions that align with the unique needs of their shoppers.
The impact of your donation reaches far beyond the sales floor. The money generated from the sale of your donations goes toward funding job training programs, job-seeker services and support for individuals overcoming a variety of barriers. Your generosity helps people gain skills, build confidence and find jobs that will help them become independent.
Every donation is a step toward building a stronger, more connected community. You’re not just donating items: Your donations and purchases help support the community. A suit you no longer wear helps support job search assistance services, giving individuals the resources they need to build a fulfilling career. Your generosity is creating a lasting impact.
Ready to Give Your Good?
Find your nearest Donation Center here. Remember, it’s more than just a donation — it’s a connection to changing lives and building a community where everyone has the chance to succeed.
