The impact when you donate and shop at Goodwill

Have you ever donated to your local Goodwill or found that perfect addition to your wardrobe while thrifting at Goodwill, and wondered, “I know Goodwill is a nonprofit, but where exactly is my donation (or my purchase) going?”

The short answer: right back into your local community! But we also want to share some specifics about where your support lands and how these programs help better the lives of Arizonans in need.

When you donate your no-longer-needed items and when you shop thrift at Goodwill, you make an impactful gesture for your local community. You’re creating opportunities specifically through several programs that are financially supported by revenue generated from Goodwill retail stores.

You are helping create access to education, career support, and other resources that help people move forward. This is the connection at the heart of Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s mission: donations and purchases at Goodwill stores help make it possible for Goodwill to provide no-cost mission services to people across our communities. These services are designed to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build stronger communities.

Here is a closer look at some of the specific programs available locally here in Arizona that your donations and purchases help make possible:

The Excel Center

For adults over the age of 18 who didn’t finish high school earlier in life, The Goodwill Excel Center provides a tuition-free opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma. Students receive academic and life coaching, flexible scheduling, free on-site childcare, transportation support, and industry-recognized certifications – all designed to remove barriers and help prepare them for stronger career opportunities.

A diploma can be a turning point for an individual and for a family. It can create a path to stronger employment opportunities, new skills, and further education. Since The Excel Center first opened its doors in 2022, more than 460 high school diplomas and professional certifications have been earned by Excel Center students.

Learn more at ExcelCenterAZ.org.

Spark Community Schools

Spark Community Schools are free microschools providing high-quality learning experiences tailored to the educational needs of students. Serving students from kindergarten through 12^th grade, Spark partners with families, teachers, and local communities to help students feel seen, safe, and productive. Students learn in small classroom sizes with individualized support to achieve academic excellence.

For families looking for a more personalized learning environment, Spark is another way Goodwill is helping build stronger futures through education.

Learn more at SparkCommunitySchools.org.

Veteran Career Center

At Goodwill’s Veteran Career Center in Phoenix, Veterans and their families can connect with Goodwill career coaches and no-cost resources, including job assistance, resume building, training programs, and career coaching.

The VCC helps people translate their experiences into new opportunities and connect with the support they need as they pursue meaningful employment and greater stability

Learn more about Goodwill’s career and education services here.

MyCareerAdvisor.com

At MyCareerAdvisor.com, Goodwill brings career resources online, making it possible for anyone, anywhere, to access no-cost tools and support. Job seekers can use the platform to help build a resume, complete online trainings, prepare for interviews, and connect with Goodwill’s virtual career coaches.

Whether someone is looking for a first job, returning to the workforce, or preparing for a new career, MyCareerAdvisor.com can help them take the next step.

Learn more and get started for free at MyCareerAdvisor.com.

A Mission Powered by People

In addition to community programs geared toward career services and education, the impact of Goodwill is also reflected in the people who make this work possible every day.

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona employs nearly 6,000 team members across retail, mission, and support operations, and we are always looking for more people who want to be a part of this mission. If you’re interested in working at Goodwill, explore our job openings here.

Your support stays connected to the community

What may begin as a trip to your local Goodwill to drop off a donation and shop the racks carries an impact far beyond that trip alone.

It can help an adult work toward a diploma. It can help a student find the right learning environment. It can help a job seeker build a resume, gain a skill, or walk into an interview with greater confidence.

This is what happens when you donate and shop at Goodwill – you help turn no longer needed items into real possibilities for someone in your community.

Thank you for helping Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona empower individuals, strengthen families, and build stronger communities.