Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota

Mission

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers job training and customized
career support to eliminate barriers to work and independence. Proceeds from thrift retail, e-commerce, grants and financial contributions fund our services that help Minnesotans get equitable access to employment opportunities and realize the power of work. Shopping and donating divert over 65 million pounds from local landfills annually and have helped us connect people to jobs since 1919. 

EQUITY STATEMENT

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota believes that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are central to our mission to eliminate barriers to work and independence, and our vision of a world where everyone experiences the power of work. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and strengthen partnerships, while making a solid case for the importance of this work. We will bring diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront internally and externally and speak out against overt and systemic racism, oppressions and inequities.
 

• As an employer we will build on employee engagement and inclusion efforts.
• As a community member we will reflect our service communities and actively learn together.
• As a service provider we will create equitable opportunities.
• As an advocate we will influence systems change.

OPENING DOORS TO BRIGHTER FUTURES

Community Need: Minnesotans are still recovering from pandemic-related job loss; in the last year unemployment applications reached 1.4 million and 344,000 people were unemployed.

Our Response:

• We support people seeking career growth and stability with digital literacy skills, resume refinement and free, job-specifictraining like construction or IT to help people find meaningful work.

• Our outcomes are life-changing: all participants experience an average annual increase in earnings of $26,452 and 82% are employed after six months. Dislocated worker participants experience an average annual wage increase of $52,739.

Community Need: Income inequality and wage gaps in our community are among the highest in the nation; Minnesota’s pay disparity for BIPOC people is over 30%.

Our Response:

• We are part of the solution: our individualized services, like career navigation and job support, help narrow this gap for job applicants who are often underrepresented (52% of the people we serve are BIPOC and 64% have one or more disabilities).

Community Need: Minnesotans generate nearly 6 million tons of waste for local landfills every year.

Our Response:

• Shopping and donating helps us divert over 65 million pounds from Minnesota’s landfills annually.
• Our commitment to sustainability includes solar energy at 15% of our stores, electric car charging stations and partnership with 160 Goodwill agencies that divert over 4.5 billion pounds from landfills every year.

ADVOCACY

Every year we make progress in advancing workforce-related public policy, engaging with hundreds of elected officials on public policy objectives. Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a member of the MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and the MN Second Chance Coalition. Contact Deanna Smiley Gulliford or call 651-379-5940 with questions.

CERTIFICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS

GESMN holds many certifications and accreditations to ensure transparency with donors and the highest level of service to our program participants. Nationally, Goodwill is rated an "A" grade by Charity Watch, and GESMN has earned nearly a dozen 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, a distinction obtained by only 2% of charities nationwide.

Americans told the World Value Index that Goodwill is the brand they trust more than any other. The World Value Index is based on a nationally representative, comprehensive survey of 3,000 Americans on perception, awareness and behaviors in response to the purpose and mission of organizations and brands.

Leadership

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Board Members

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key contacts

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shopping FAQ

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FACTS AND MYTHS

Goodwill is widely known and respected as a nonprofit that funds job training and employment services through the sales of donated items. Because our brand is internationally known and been around for over a decade, sometimes individuals and organizations are misinformed about who we are.

Next time you see a friend perpetuating these common hoax topics, please share the facts:

 

• Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, not a for-profit company.
• “Why do you sell things that you get for free?” Donations stock stores to support our mission, but there are many costs to get that lamp from your trunk onto a shelf.
• We employ over 2,000 people in our communites and everyone earns more than the MN minimum wage.
• Our 45 local retail stores, 3 outlets, e-commerce and aftermarket operations handled over 75 million donated items last year to provide funding for services and programs that eliminate
  barriers to work and independence.
• Our commitment to sustainability includes solar energy at 15% of our stores, electric car charging stations and partnership with 160 Goodwill agencies that collectively divert over 4.5 billion pounds from landfills every year.
• CEO Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA has led the organization for over 30 years. He teaches and volunteers his time speaking to various groups (he doesn’t have a yacht or get paid millions of dollars). His compensation, like all nonprofit CEOs is available in our Form 990.
• Income inequality and wage gaps in our community are among the highest in the U.S. Minnesota’s pay disparity for BIPOC people is over 30%. We are intentional and strategic about serving populations that have been deeply impacted by the changing economy and rising costs, who need a little support to build thriving careers and stable families. We also help dozens of employer partners develop a pipeline of trained workers with diverse skills and backgrounds to fill essential roles.

 

Employer Resources

Discover the Twin Cities Employer Accelerator/ Rework America Alliance and all the ways we can help fill your open positions with skilled candidates.

• Attend an employer information session to learn more or contact amavis@gesmn.org with questions.

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the Federal Tax ID: 41-0706171.