Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

What Goodwill Industries of Kentucky does

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 1924 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, operating across 103 of the Commonwealth's 120 counties. The organization employs more than 2,000 people and operates 70 retail stores and donation centers, 12 Opportunity Centers, The Excel Center (a tuition-free adult high school), and The Spot (a young adult opportunity center for ages 16–24). Its mission is to help Kentuckians facing employment barriers — including addiction, justice involvement, limited education, disabilities, homelessness, and transportation challenges — gain sustainable employment and self-sufficiency.

The organization's service portfolio is built around wraparound workforce programming. Core programs include RISE (job-readiness training), Aspire to Recovery (recovery-to-work for justice-impacted Kentuckians with opioid use disorder), MSSC Logistics (industry-certified logistics training with 100% placement in the first cohort), Expungement Services (more than 20,000 records cleared since 2021), Last Mile to Work (bicycle transportation assistance), the Fair Chance Opportunity Fair series, and emerging programs in fiber optics (with RLC Networks), construction pre-apprenticeship (with the University of Kentucky and Walsh Construction), and forklift certification using VR simulation. Specialized partnerships — Legal Aid Society, University of Louisville College of Dentistry, Park Community Credit Union, Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, and others — are co-located at Opportunity Centers to deliver integrated barrier-removal services.

The business model is a self-sustaining retail-funded mission: approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in the 70 retail stores is reinvested into workforce programs, supplemented by government grants (U.S. Department of Labor, Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, City of Louisville, City of Bowling Green), corporate donations (JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, Google.org, Walsh Construction, Kroger), and foundation grants (Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, Regions Foundation, Jewish Heritage Fund). The organization placed 3,092 Kentuckians into jobs in 2024 and served more than 20,000 individuals annually through 1,400+ employer partners and 42 chambers of commerce relationships.

Name

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Legal name

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Website

https://goodwillky.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 101-year-old nonprofit operating 70 retail stores and 12 Opportunity Centers across Kentucky, delivering free workforce development, adult education, and reentry services to more than 20,000 individuals annually facing employment barriers including addiction, justice involvement, and limited education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423910)

SIC

Wholesale-Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods (5190), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Reentry Programs (Justice-Involved) (EDAAAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Communication, Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Skills (EDAMAIAF), Warehousing, Distribution & Material Handling Staffing (BPACAEAD)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job training programs
• Thrift retail stores
• Adult education services
• Reentry support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Operations: Revenue from retail stores selling donated goods. The organization operates 70 retail locations across Kentucky. Approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in retail stores is reinvested into job training and workforce programs.
2. Donations: Monetary donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations that support workforce development programs and services.
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from federal and state government agencies including the U.S. Department of Labor, Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, and city governments for specific workforce and reentry programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates 70 retail stores selling donated goods and 12 Opportunity Centers that provide free workforce development services to Kentuckians facing employment barriers. The organization delivers career coaching, job-readiness training, tuition-free adult high school education (The Excel Center), expungement services, transportation assistance, recovery-to-work programming, and barrier-reduction support, placing over 3,000 individuals into jobs annually through a network of 1,400+ employer partners. Approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in retail operations is reinvested into workforce programs.

Product overview

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky operates as a workforce development nonprofit offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The organization operates 12 Opportunity Centers as its core service delivery infrastructure, supplemented by specialized programs including The Excel Center (tuition-free adult high school), The Spot (young adult career center), RISE (job-readiness training), Aspire to Recovery (recovery-to-work), MSSC Logistics Program (vocational training), Last Mile to Work (transportation), Financial Wellness, Expungement Services, and the Another Way Program. The organization also operates 70 retail stores statewide that fund approximately 90% of its mission activities. Programs serve individuals facing barriers including addiction, justice involvement, limited education, transportation challenges, homelessness, and disability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Opportunity Centers

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 Kentuckians placed into jobs annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• RLC NetworksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Employer-driven fiber optics training program. Inaugural cohort of 8 participants. Company plans to hire approximately 200 individuals over the next year.
• HourForce 24/7minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Partner in fiber optics training program connecting Kentuckians to high-demand careers.
• Hope CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Referred participants to fiber optics training program from their recovery services.
• Probation and ParoleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Referred participants to fiber optics training program.
• Goodwill Industries InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Co-hosted Learn and Lead Summit on Second Chances and Workforce Solutions in Louisville. Nearly 100 Goodwill leaders from across the country attended.
• Kentucky Education and Labor CabinetmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Partnership for forklift certification training program for inmates at Woodford County Detention Center. Combined VR simulation with hands-on instruction.
• Forklift UmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Delivered forklift certification training using enterprise-level VR simulation technology in detention centers. Second cohort graduated 12 participants.
• My Workforce FutureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Workforce partner in forklift certification program for justice-involved individuals.
• Bluegrass Workforce Development BoardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Workforce development partner in forklift certification program.
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of KentuckymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Partnered with Goodwill Kentucky, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and Fifth Third Bank to host Fair Chance Opportunity Fair with expungement clinic.
• D'Angelo Russell FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 20253rd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at West Louisville Opportunity Center. 4,000 turkeys distributed to Louisville families in 2025.
• KrogerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2025Exclusive grocery partner for Turkey Drive, continuing Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission.
• Volunteers of America Mid-StatesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Received $250,000 of combined $500,000 JPMorganChase grant for workforce development initiatives. VOA focuses on unemployed and underemployed individuals including those experiencing homelessness or in recovery.
• University of KentuckymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Partnership with Walsh Construction and Goodwill Kentucky to launch an eight-week Construction Industry Pre-Apprenticeship Program tied to the UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building construction.
• Walsh ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Partnering with UK and Goodwill Kentucky to provide pre-apprenticeship training in skilled trades. Subcontractors Lithko, Besco, and Hussung also involved as sponsors.
• Cornbread HempminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025Sponsored expungement clinic at West Louisville Opportunity Center to help clear criminal records of at least 50 individuals.
• Diageo North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Partnership to provide free job readiness skills and training to Kentucky residents to support employment in the hospitality sector.
• Goodwill Education Initiatives, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Initiated The Excel Center concept, now expanded to 47 schools in 10 states with nearly 15,000 graduates collectively.
• Kentucky Chamber FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025Co-hosted inaugural Fair Chance Opportunity Fair serving 220+ Kentuckians seeking workforce reentry. Foundation funded 60 expungements for justice-involved individuals.
• Fifth Third BankmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025Partnered with Kentucky Chamber Foundation and Goodwill for Fair Chance Opportunity Fair. Offered financial resources through its Financial Empowerment Mobile.
• Kentucky Recovery Vocational (KRV)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2025Partnership to deliver Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) Logistics Program providing industry-recognized credentials for in-demand careers.
• ReSpectacle Louisville ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025Extended partnership with University of Louisville School of Medicine to enhance access to affordable vision care for underserved individuals.
• University of Louisville School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025Extended vision care partnership with ReSpectacle and Goodwill Kentucky.
• Volunteers of America Mid-StatesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025Partner with City of Louisville and U of L Hospital on Pivot to Peace initiative to reduce gun violence through community violence intervention sites.
• University of Louisville HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025Partner with City of Louisville and VOA on Pivot to Peace initiative to reduce gun violence.
• KentuckianaWorksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Center serving young adults ages 16-24 in the Louisville region. Graduated 230 students in 2025.
• Lexington VA Health Care SystemmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeventh year of partnership providing $30,000 in vouchers annually to support local veterans. Total investment of $180,000+ since 2019.
• Scott & RittermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner providing second-chance employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Placed Josh as engineer after Goodwill program completion.
• Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst statewide employer to join KCTCS Education First Employer network, offering tuition benefits and flexible scheduling for workers.
• Regions BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegions Bank branch manager teaches monthly financial education classes for RISE program students on budgeting and saving.
• Commonwealth Center for Fathers & FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded mini-grant to support Dad Cafe program empowering fathers in Elizabethtown through support groups and parenting education.
• Kentucky School of BarberingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located partner at West Louisville Opportunity Center. Distributed 28 bicycles at Miracle on Hope Street event.
• Big Brothers Big SistersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located partner at West Louisville Opportunity Center serving children and families.
• Park Community Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located partner at West Louisville Opportunity Center providing financial services.
• University of Louisville College of DentistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at West Louisville Opportunity Center providing dental care resources.
• Legal Aid SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located partner at West Louisville Opportunity Center providing legal aid services.
• YMCA of Greater LouisvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Miracle on Hope Street event and provides on-site childcare at Excel Center.
• Louisville Metro Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated 15 retired police bicycles valued at approximately $1,125 to support the Last Mile to Work transportation program.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Goodwill of North Georgia: Large regional Goodwill affiliate operating 70+ stores and extensive career services across Georgia. Highly comparable scale and operational model to Goodwill Kentucky.
• KentuckianaWorks: Louisville-region workforce development board co-operating The Spot with Goodwill Kentucky. Comparable workforce intermediary model serving similar employer and job-seeker populations.
• The Salvation Army (Kentucky/Tennessee Division): National nonprofit operating thrift retail stores that fund adult rehabilitation, workforce, and social service programs. Closest comparable model in retail-funded human services.
• Volunteers of America Mid-States: Regional nonprofit delivering workforce development, reentry, housing, and recovery services across Kentucky and Indiana. Co-recipient of JPMorgan Chase grant with Goodwill Kentucky and partner on Louisville's Pivot to Peace CVI initiative.
• Goodwill Industries International: National umbrella organization for the 150+ autonomous local Goodwill affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. Most direct peer given shared brand, mission model, retail-to-workforce cross-subsidy, and co-hosted Learn and Lead Summit referenced in the data.
• Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana: Sister Goodwill affiliate that initiated the Excel Center concept in 2010 and operates Goodwill Education Initiatives, Inc. Closely comparable retail-funded workforce development model with a directly shared product line (Excel Center).
• Goodwill of the Finger Lakes: Regional Goodwill affiliate offering workforce development, retail, and community services across upstate New York. Comparable mid-size Goodwill chapter structure and program portfolio.
• Goodwill of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: Adjacent Goodwill affiliate serving the Northern Kentucky portion of the Cincinnati metro. Direct geographic and operational overlap; comparable retail-workforce hybrid model.

Others

• Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence: Kentucky-based foundation that awarded a $500,000 grant to Goodwill Kentucky. Functions as a funding peer / ecosystem participant rather than operational competitor.

Emerging players

• Kentucky Chamber Foundation: Statewide business association foundation that co-hosts Fair Chance Opportunity Fairs and funds expungements alongside Goodwill Kentucky. Increasingly active in workforce policy and reentry programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goodwillky
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOoOvQ_mmMB0db00W3FsRqQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoodwillKY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goodwill-industries-of-kentucky
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillky
• TikToktiktok.com/@goodwillky

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Goodwill Industries of Kentucky