About Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (2024)

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 nearly 20 customized services that help Minnesotans get equitable access to jobs, create stable careers and advance in the workplace.

Reuse and recycling operations contribute to Minnesota’s environmental sustainability and employ nearly 2,000 people in our community. Shopping and donating items 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.

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. ContactDeanna Smiley Gullifordwith 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 dozen4-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

executive team

Brent Babco*ck
Chief Sales &
Marketing Officer

Jinah Chernivec
Chief Human Resources
& Risk Officer

Mary Jones
Chief Philanthropy Officer

Sheila Olson
Chief Services &
Programs Officer

Jeff Uecker
Chief Financial Officer

Michael Wirth-Davis,
DPA
President &
Chief Executive Officer

Board Members

key contacts

FAQ

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Shopping FAQ

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 people are misinformed about who we are.

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

• Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, not a for-profit company like other thrift stores in our market.
• “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 nearly 2,000 people in our community and all employees earns more than the MN minimum wage.
• Ourlocal retail stores, outlets, e-commerce and aftermarket operations handleover 75 million donated items annuallyto provide funding for services and programs that eliminate barriers to work and independence.
• Our commitment to sustainability includes electric car charging stations at 60% of our stores and partnership with 160 Goodwill agencies that collectively divert over 4.5 billion pounds from landfills every year.
• President & CEO Dr. Michael Wirth-Davis 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.
• Employment is multi-faceted and looks different for everyone, and not all job seekers have access to the same start line.We are intentional about serving populations 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

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

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