A Brief History
Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms collected used household goods and clothing, then trained and hired people who were considered unemployable to mend and resell the used goods. The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out" was born. Goodwill Industries, Manasota was established in 1971.
Goodwill Industries Manasota is a locally governed 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.
Facts
The following information is based on un-audited data for 2006:
- Counties Served:
- Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto
- Locations (as of March, 2007):
- 34 (includes 15 Employment and Training/Retail Centers; two Bargain Barns; 16 Donation Drive-Thru and Service Centers; and one Services-Only location)
- Number of employees:
- more than 480
- Number of people served:
- 7,496
- Number of donations:
- 521,158
- Number of shopping transactions:
- 1,098,591
- Revenues:
- $17,483,275
- Retail revenues:
- $15,162,245
- Payroll:
- $11,335,506
- Number of retail square feet:
- 92,973
- Sales per square foot:
- $147.45
