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ABOUT GOODWILL NCW

Goodwill starts with your support

Learn about Goodwill NCW and our mission that begins with the communities’ support through donations. These donations in turn are sorted and merchandised for sale in our stores, which provide meaningful training and employment opportunities for people across the Wisconsin counties we serve.

The resources generated through the sale of donated goods are invested in our people, community, mission and future.

Our programs enhance people’s dignity and quality of life by seeing them for who they are and helping them reach their goals through skill building and the power of work.

You helped divert more than 51.7 million pounds of items from the landfills in 2022.
Your donations have allowed us to invest in job training and opportunities since 1971.
The revenue generated from sales in our stores fuels our mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment.

Our mission

 

 

Learn About our mission

Get to know the positive impact of Goodwill NCW

Is Goodwill a nonprofit?

Absolutely. 

Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nationally, Charity Navigator — an independent organization that evaluates philanthropic organizations — gives Goodwill NCW a rating of 100 out of 100.

We also are proud to be recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the highest rating for nonprofit organizations.

Learn about our mission impact

How do we support our team members?

We pay all team members and program participants, regardless of ability, at least minimum wage. Although the Fair Standards Act provision known as 14(c) allows some employers to pay substandard wages to workers with impairments, Goodwill NCW does not follow 14(c) and believes in the importance of supporting our team members with competitive pay and benefits. Additionally, some individuals are paid through government or community partnership and others who receive Social Security disability benefits have income limits and only can work a certain number of hours a month.

Learn about jobs at Goodwill NCW

Who is Goodwill NCW’s CEO?

Chris Hess is the President and CEO of Goodwill NCW, which covers counties across north central Wisconsin and reports to a local, volunteer board of directors.

Goodwill NCW is part of a network of more than 150 independent, community-based Goodwill agencies. As a nonprofit, each Goodwill is “owned” by the communities it serves and is governed by a local, volunteer board of directors.

Meet our Board of Directors and leadership team

Does Goodwill NCW give back to those in need?

Goodwill NCW partners with community service agencies, school districts and other organizations to help people in need by providing gift cards to our stores for the purchase of clothing, outwear, household essentials, footwear and other necessary items. In 2022, with the support received from our donors and shoppers, we gave away more than  $650,000 in merchandise to people in need.

Learn about the GoodNeighbor program

How does Goodwill NCW help in our local communities?

We have partnerships throughout the counties we serve, regularly offering our trainings to local businesses and non-profits and to individuals of all ages served through such organizations as the Wisconsin Veterans Village Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Pillars homeless shelter and Rawhide Youth Services. In addition, we offer our programs within our stores and through our partnerships with local governments, school districts and other community service organizations.

Learn about our community impact

Interested in job-skills training? Contact us.

How does Goodwill NCW support sustainability and our environment?

Practicing sustainability since 1902, Goodwill promotes the use of secondhand goods and responsible recycling. Our sustainability efforts extend to fashion by giving new life to secondhand items, to leadership by investing in the workforce and upscaling for shared prosperity, to communities by providing social and economic opportunities for all, and to ambassadorship by promoting responsible consumption, recycling and landfill diversion.  

Learn about our sustainability efforts

Mason’s Goodwill Story: Pursuing his dream job

 From a very early age, Mason always expressed that he wanted to be a chef. As he completed his

Goodwill NCW’s new program offers a unique recruitment option to employers

Talk to almost any employer today and one common topic that will surface is the challenge of hiring enough workers.

La Crosse Goodwill team member receives international award

Taylor Devenport was born prematurely, leading to delays in her development. While attending Logan High School in La Crosse, WI,

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