Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (2024)

Every holiday season, a myth or two pops up about Goodwill. Whether it’s family or friends or people on social media, some misinformation is bound to be spread, along with holiday cheer. If you’re confused about what you’re seeing and want to know the truth, we’re here to set your straight.

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (1)

Goodwill Myths

We’re addressing Goodwill myths you may have heard or read about, and we’re sharing only facts regarding Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio. We encourage you to do your own research on reputable sites, such asGuideStar.org.

Myth: Goodwill is a for-profit company.

This is the biggest rumor we hear, and it is not true. Goodwill is a 501C3 or not-for-profit organization. Any ‘profits’ generated in our stores are reinvested back into our Mission. Like numbers and statistics?

Looking for information about Goodwill or other nonprofit organizations from an independent source? VisitGuideStar.org, which posts financial records and independent reviews of charities. We currently have a “Gold Participant” seal from this site, an indication that we are committed to transparency and good stewardship.

Myth: Goodwill isownedby Mark Curran who makes millions of dollars in salary each year.

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (2)

This graphic circulates a lot on social media. This is not true. The President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio is Anne Richards, a northeast Ohio native who works at the Canton office. No CEO in the Goodwill system has ever made millions of dollars as an annual salary. Ever. Mark Curran has never owned Goodwill or worked for Goodwill Industries.

TheCEO of Goodwill Industries International is Steven Prestonand he reports to a volunteer board of directors.

Myth: Goodwill is run by an international corporation.

As mentioned above, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio is an independent organization. It is run by local employees and aBoard of Directorsmade up of local business and community leaders.

There are more than 162 independent Goodwill organizations. Your Goodwill serves the 10-county territory of Cuyahoga, Geauga, a portion of Lake, Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson counties in Ohio and Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia.

Myth: You shouldn’t donate to Goodwill because they don’t help anyone.

Goodwill was founded by Edgar J. Helms with the philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout.” This mission is still true today. Goodwill doesn’t just give help to someone once, we believe in teaching people the skills they need to find sustainable success, whatever that may mean to the individual person.

In 2022 alone, your Goodwill helped more than 18,600 people in our community find jobs and improve their quality of life. Learn more about our services or take a minute to watch Anthony’s story.

Myth: Goodwill pays people with disabilities pennies per hour.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio hasNEVERpaid employees less than minimum wage. It is against our values and what we stand for. We’re proud to share that all employees make $12.10 per hour or more regardless of ability.

It is true that a 14C sub-minimum wage certificate enables employers to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage and some Goodwill organizations have used these in the past. Again, your Goodwill has never used this certificate and always paid employees fair wages.

Myth: Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio turned away a person with a disability from our stores.

There’s aviral Facebook rumorabout a man named Ryan Muncy who said Goodwill wouldn’t give a person with a disability sweatshirts and work boots. This incident didn’t happen in any of our Goodwill stores. Your Goodwill is an independent nonprofit, and we haveprogramsspecially designed to help people (of any ability) into stability.

Myth: All the good donated items are sold first to Goodwill employees.

Goodwill has a strict policy against employees purchasing items before they reach the sales floor. There is a waiting period before items can be purchased. Violations of this policy may result in termination.

Myth: Goodwill charges for donated items they get for free and pockets the money.

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (3)

Our prices help generate funding for our Goodwill programs that help people get back to work, strengthen families and much more. Now more than ever, people are looking to Goodwill for help.

Our prices also pay for the operations of our retail stores (keeping the lights on and paying our employees) and the Ken Weber Community Campus that helps support multiple other nonprofits by lower overhead so they can focus funds on their mission.

With every purchase or donation, YOU make theCycle of Successpossible.

Myth: Goodwill stores are only for people of low income.

This is not true. Anyone can shop at Goodwill. In fact, anytime you shop at Goodwill and find a good deal for yourself you do a great deal more for the community. Goodwill runs on the donations of the community, and we try to price all donations at a fair market value based on the brand and condition of the item. We also sell brand new items in our store to supplement donations on the sales floor or offer specialty items such as Halloween accessories or makeup.

Learn the importance of Goodwill, fromhelping people in our communityto shopping sustainably with fashion and holiday thrift tips on ourblog.

Myth: Goodwill stores get everything for free, so they won’t lose money by discounting items.

We appreciate all of the donations we receive. While yes, mostly all of our inventory is donated, we have a lot of expenses.

The rising costs of wages, utilities and rent have caused us, like many businesses to have to make tough decisions and revaluate all aspects of our business. This included discontinuing the Color of the Week discount.

But to replace it, we have added the Give Me Five discount, which offers customers $5 off $30, $10 off $60 and $15 off $90 pre-tax spending in a single transaction. You can learn more about it here.

Your support helps thousands of people in our community with vital services. Here are some stories of people in our community who were helped because you shopped and donated.

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (4)

Contact Us

Hear another Goodwill myth or something else about us that doesn’t seem to add up? Email us at info@goodwillgoodskills.org or direct message us on social media. We’re happy to talk about anything and everything we do. Once you know more about us, we’re sure you’ll be even more proud to shop or donate to Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio.

Should you choose to support Goodwill once you’ve done your research, you can make anonline donation.

Thank you!

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO (2024)

FAQs

Debunking the myths about Goodwill - Goodwill Industries GCECO? ›

Myth: Goodwill

Goodwill
Goodwill Industries International Inc., simply known as Goodwill, is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who face barriers in their employment.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Goodwill_Industries
is owned by Mark Curran who makes millions of dollars in salary each year. This graphic circulates a lot on social media. This is not true. The President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio is Anne Richards, a northeast Ohio native who works at the Canton office.

How much does Steve Preston make? ›

Steve Preston is the CEO of Goodwill. He received total compensation worth $1,188,733, including a base salary of $350,200, bonuses worth $87,550, retirement benefits of $71,050, and $637,864 in other reportable compensation.

Is goodwill actually sustainable? ›

Goodwill is good for the planet. The Goodwill model has always been to reduce, reuse, and recycle. By collecting and selling donated goods, Goodwill extends the life of millions of items.

What problem is goodwill trying to solve? ›

In addition to our more than 150 local organizations in the United States and Canada, Goodwill has a presence in several other countries. We work with partners and individuals who are dedicated to addressing poverty and unemployment for people with disabilities and other challenges to finding jobs.

Who is the current CEO of Goodwill? ›

Steven Preston - President & Chief Executive Officer at Goodwill Industries International | ZoomInfo.

What does CEO of Goodwill earn? ›

133 employees received $15 million in compensation which equates to an average of $113,000. However, only 42 employees received more than $100,000 with the 10 most highly compensated reported to be: $469,247: Steven C Preston, CEO. $375,919: Brian Itzkowitz, Chief Member Advancement Officer.

Which charities have the highest paid CEOs? ›

In 2022, the nonprofit organization in the U.S. with the highest paid CEO was Sentara Health, with an estimated salary of 33.22 million U.S. dollars.

Why are people boycotting Goodwill? ›

Goodwill receives public funds, accepts philanthropic donations, and profits from the sale of donated goods, but refuses to pay its workers with disabilities the federal minimum wage.

Why did Goodwill stop using plastic bags? ›

The new policy is part of Goodwill's commitment to environmental sustainability, said Barbara Maida-Stolle, president and CEO at Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina.

Is it safe to wear clothes from Goodwill? ›

Thrift stores will sort through the clothing before putting it on display and throw out anything that has stains, damage, or a bad odor. Regardless, as a general rule, we still strongly encourage you to wash your clothing purchases, new or used, before you wear.

What is the controversy with goodwill? ›

Goodwill has been linked to several workplace deaths, particularly among disabled workers. These incidents raise questions about the organization's commitment to employee safety and whether they are placing vulnerable workers in hazardous conditions.

Why is goodwill risky? ›

Since goodwill is typically considered to be the most risky asset of a business, it reflects the primary risk of the business not performing or being expected to earn lower projected cash flows than the levels envisioned at the time of the acquisition.

What is the goodwill accounting controversy? ›

Under the exit value approach, goodwill has no "severability" or value separate from the firm so it should not be shown on the balance sheet. Other advocates argue that goodwill is not measurable and has no true future value. Thus, it should be written off against stockholders' equity.

Is the CEO of Goodwill blind? ›

Gibbons earned his B.S. in industrial engineering from Purdue University, and a MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he was the first blind person to graduate with a Harvard MBA.

Where does the CEO of Goodwill live? ›

Steve Preston
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMolly Preston
Children5
Residence(s)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
17 more rows

How much does a CEO of St. Jude's make? ›

Jude is $1.3 million per year. James R Downing is the current President and CEO of St. Jude.

How much does the CEO of McDonald's make? ›

Chris Kempczinski got a raise before he got a new title. The CEO and now chairman of McDonald's was paid $19.2 million last year in salary, bonuses and stock, according to federal securities filings. That was an 8% increase over 2022.

What are the top salaries at Goodwill? ›

Some of the highest wages a worker can make at Goodwill are in the job titles Retail Operations Manager ($60,000), and title Assistant Store Manager ($38,513) which are the highest paying jobs at Goodwill.

How much does the CEO of Savers make? ›

Leadership Team
NamePositionCompensation
Mark WalshCEO, President & DirectorUS$10.13m
Jubran TaniousPresident & COOUS$3.20m
Richard MedwayGeneral CounselUS$2.89m
Mindy GeisserChief People Services OfficerUS$2.23m
5 more rows

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