Five Things You Should Know About Goodwill

Every day, Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina turns sustainability into unrivaled value and life-changing employment. That’s why it’s especially hard when misinformation about us and the work we do continues to proliferate online.

Here are five truths to know and share about our organization and mission.

  1. We are locally controlled and operated.
    We are one of 150+ Goodwill organizations in the U.S., each individually managed by a local CEO and volunteer Board of Directors. That means the value of your donations stays in South Carolina to help local people find employment and skills training in 16 counties. Local leadership also means programs and services are tailored to the specific needs of our area.

  2. Our team members earn more than minimum wage.
    While some Goodwill organizations use the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, we do not. Our over 800 team members earn more than minimum wage and are eligible for benefits including healthcare coverage, paid vacation and sick time, retirement savings, training programs and other services that help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

  3. We are a registered nonprofit that is not “owned” by anyone.
    We have been linked with persistent, false online messaging that claims, “Goodwill CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year.” No one named Mark Curran works, or has ever worked, for any Goodwill and the salary/compensation quoted is completely false.

    Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. We are not owned by anyone. Our CEO Patrick Michaels reports to a volunteer Board of Directors as does CEO of Goodwill Industries International, Steven Preston. Snopes has debunked the misleading article several times.

  4. We devote more than 90 cents of every dollar we spend to local job training and placement.
    Stewardship is one of our corporate values, so we are especially proud of our operational efficiency and effectiveness in helping people become financially independent through employment.

  5. Every donation is valuable.
    All donations set a cycle in motion. Items are processed for sale in our 40 retail stores or online. Then, the proceeds are used to fund career services, skills training and employment programs through 27 Job Connection centers.