A Look at Charity Goodwill Stores

Why to Donate to and Shop at Goodwill Instead of Other Thrift Stores

Aug 5, 2009

Most people are familiar with the big blue Goodwill signs, but few are aware of what Goodwill Industries International really means.

In most cities, and even many smaller towns across the United States and Canada, Goodwill stores are a familiar sight. Most people who have visited a Goodwill retail store quickly fall in love with them; usually very good quality clothing is available at very low prices. However, the most important part of Goodwill is frequently overlooked or completely unknown.

Goodwill vs. Standard Thrift Stores

Most average thrift stores, take in lightly to moderately used items, and resell them inexpensively to those who could not afford brand new items. The Goodwill model is quite different. They seek out new or very lightly used items, such that almost everyone can find items they would like to purchase, at a delightful bargain. However, instead of this being the goal- selling clothing inexpensively to help the less fortunate- this is the means towards the goal at Goodwill.

Goodwill's primary goal is to provide jobs and job training for those who are disabled or otherwise unable to obtain a job on their own. According to their website, although many thrift stores claim to be a charity organization, "as little as 5 percent of the money generated from these donations may actually go to the charity. At Goodwill, 84 percent of our revenues are used to fund our employment and training programs."

What can be Found to Purchase at a Goodwill Retail Store?

Almost anything! They are best known for clothing, but also accept furniture, electronics, appliances, books, jewelry, toys, and other household items. Some larger Goodwill Industries even have a Goodwill Auto Donation program. The quality of the items available are quite dependent on what is donated to the outlet in question, however, on the whole the items are very high quality, especially the clothing.

What Happens to Donated Items?

If necessary, Goodwill will do whatever is needed to get the item into salable shape, then put it in the retail store to try and sell it. If the quality is simply too low to be sold, there are a number of things that may be done with the items, including being sold in bulk to salvagers, cut up for industrial wipes (rags), or donated to the extremely poor internationally. Each retail store is independently owned and operated, and may have vastly different things they do with unsold items based on their community.

The bulk of items, however, are sold; often to disadvantaged people in your own community, though plenty of bargain-hunters find a treasure trove in the Goodwill retail stores.

This is truly a wonderful way to help the local community and economy, whether through donations or purchases… or both!

The copyright of the article A Look at Charity Goodwill Stores in Retail Sector is owned by Genevieve Kiger. Permission to republish A Look at Charity Goodwill Stores in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Aug 5, 2009 9:06 PM

Christopher Pascale :

Nice info, but do you have any examples of really great deals at Goodwill stores? I mean, in my experience I usually donate stuff I've used up like clothes I haven't worn in so long it's unbelievable.

Aug 5, 2009 10:14 PM

Genevieve Kiger :

There are plenty of items of clothing that are of lower quality, or 'comfortably' worn, of course. But if you look closely you can often uncover incredible gems, as well. At my own local Goodwill a few weeks ago, I found a designer skirt - brand new, undamaged, with the price tag still on it; the original price was $282, while the cost from Goodwill was a grand total of $4.29 with tax. The effort of sorting through the mass of items you have no interest in is well worth it when rewarded with a find like that... and they aren't nearly as rare as you might think.