SC Wisconsin News

Every year, during the first full week of May, Goodwill organizations around the globe celebrate Goodwill Week. This observance aims to raise awareness about Goodwill's mission. In Wisconsin, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) serves a wide area with 27 stores and donation centers and one outlet store spanning from La Crosse to Eau Claire to Green Bay, the Fox Valley, Manitowoc, and areas in between.

This year's Goodwill Week runs from May 4 to May 10, with Goodwill NCW encouraging the public to "Get to Know Goodwill." The organization is well-known for its "Smiling G" logo and secondhand stores. However, it is important to note that Goodwill NCW is a nonprofit organization focused on its mission of "Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment" throughout north central Wisconsin.

Goodwill NCW reinvests an average of 90 cents of every dollar earned from its retail sales back into funding its mission. This revenue model sets it apart from most other nonprofits that primarily rely on private donations, grants, or government funding.

In 2024, the organization increased the collective annual income of program participants with disabilities by over $1.6 million through skill-building programs, employment services, and community assistance programs. Out of more than 150 independently governed Goodwill organizations worldwide, Goodwill NCW ranks in the top quartile for the number of lives impacted by its mission.

The work done by Goodwill NCW is made possible through generous donations of gently used items from the community. During Goodwill Week, they will be sharing more about their mission on social media. The public is also invited to visit goodwillncw.org for more information on how they serve communities across Wisconsin.