Goodwill Industries of Arkansas

What Goodwill Industries of Arkansas does

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, and an independently operated member of Goodwill Industries International. The organization operates a dual social-enterprise model that combines retail thrift operations with workforce development services. Retail operations span 37 thrift stores plus two pay-by-the-pound outlet locations in Little Rock and Rogers, supplemented by e-commerce through ShopGoodwill.com and Facebook Marketplace, home pickup donation service, and electronic waste recycling. These retail activities generate 96% of organizational funding from the sale of donated goods, keeping proceeds in-state to fund mission services. The organization is one of Arkansas' larger employers with approximately 1,450 employees statewide.

The mission-services portfolio includes Career Services (assessment, counseling, certification, resume and interview preparation), Reentry Services with a 16-week Transitional Employment Opportunity (TEO) paid training program now reaching 20 communities, The Excel Center (tuition-free adult high school education in Little Rock and Springdale), and The Academy at Goodwill (industry credentialing and trade certifications). Adjunct programs include Books 4 Kids (literacy through Title I schools), the Health Equipment Loan Program (HELPS), Business and Industry employer services, and a Community Resources Directory connecting 988 partner organizations across the state. Reported outcomes include 230+ adult high school diplomas earned, 2,500+ Academy certifications, 450+ job placements, $69.5M in economic impact, 44M pounds of goods diverted from landfills in FY24, a recidivism rate below 5% for TEO graduates versus a 50% state average, and 90%+ job placement rates for educational-program graduates.

Commercially, the organization monetizes through retail price points ranging from $0.99 color-tagged discounted items to full retail, pay-by-the-pound outlet pricing, and e-commerce auctions for higher-value electronics, collectibles, and specialty goods. Recurring grant funding from federal, state, and foundation sources (DOJ, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Caterpillar Foundation, Google Career Certificates) supplements retail revenue to fund specific program expansion. Mission services and employer services are delivered at no charge to participants and Arkansas employers. CARF accreditation and CARF-aligned quality standards are maintained, and the organization holds an active board drawn from leading Arkansas businesses, healthcare systems, banks, and education institutions.

Name

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas

Legal name

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, Inc.

Website

https://goodwillar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds workforce development for Arkansans facing employment barriers through 37 thrift retail stores and two outlets, offering tuition-free adult education, reentry job training, industry certifications, and career placement services statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Thrift Retail Services

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), Off-Price Department Stores (Apparel-Led) (CRAEABAB)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Thrift retail operations
• Adult education programs
• Reentry employment services
• Community donation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales of Donated Goods: 96% of funding comes from the sale of donated goods through 37 retail stores, outlets, and e-commerce platforms. Revenue is reinvested into education, training, and employment programs for Arkansans.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: Federal and foundation grants support specific programs including reentry services (DOJ), mental health training (subgrant), and digital skills training (Caterpillar Foundation/Google). One hundred percent of monetary donations fund mission service programs.
3. E-Commerce: Online sales through ShopGoodwill.com and Facebook Marketplace for items that secure greater value online. Electronics, collectibles, and specialty items are sold via auction platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds a portfolio of workforce-development and community programs through retail thrift operations. It sells donated goods across 37 stores, 2 outlets (Little Rock and Rogers), ShopGoodwill.com and Facebook Marketplace, with 96% of revenue coming from those sales. The proceeds underwrite Career Services, the 16-week Reentry Services/Transitional Employment Opportunity program, The Excel Center (tuition-free adult high school), The Academy at Goodwill (industry certifications), Books 4 Kids, the HELPS health-equipment loan program, and Business and Industry employer services.

Product overview

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a dual business model combining retail thrift operations with workforce development services. The organization runs 37 retail stores and 2 outlet locations across Arkansas, generating 96% of funding from donated goods sales. These retail operations fund a portfolio of mission services including Career Services (job placement assistance), Reentry Services/Transitional Employment Opportunity (16-week job training for formerly incarcerated individuals), The Excel Center (tuition-free adult high school), and The Academy at Goodwill (trade certifications and workforce training). Additional programs include Books 4 Kids literacy initiative, Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), and Business and Industry employer services. The organization served over 6,000 people with a recidivism rate below 5% for reentry program graduates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HELPS (Health Equipment Loan Program): Health Equipment Loan Program providing gently used medical equipment free of charge to Arkansans in need
• Books 4 Kids
• The Academy at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
• The Excel Center
• Give to Good
• Look for the Good
• Take Me Thriftin'
• Last Mile to Work
• Good Smiles

Products and services

• Career Services Free employment assistance services including career assessment, counseling, career-readiness certification, interview preparation, job-readiness training, job-search assistance, and resume help. Available through a career portal and in-person at Goodwill computer labs across Arkansas.
• Reentry Services (Transitional Employment Opportunity) Services for individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration, including a 16-week paid job-training program, employability assessment, barrier assessment, job-readiness skills, career-readiness certification, and job-placement assistance. The TEO program operates in 20+ communities across Arkansas.
• The Excel Center Tuition-free adult education center providing adult high school diplomas. Locations in Little Rock and Springdale. Part of the Goodwill Training and Education Centers (GTEC) network.
• The Academy at Goodwill Job training and certification programs including trade skills (forklift certification, welding), pharmacy technician training, and other industry-specific certifications. Licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Private and Career Education.
• Business and Industry Services Custom training and placement services for Arkansas businesses at no cost, including job posting on the Employer Portal, customized worker training, qualified worker referrals, and coordination of new employee training.
• Retail Store Operations Thrift store retail operations selling donated goods. Includes 37 stores statewide, outlet stores, and online shopping via ShopGoodwill.com and Facebook Marketplace. Generates 96% of funding for mission programs.
• Goodwill Outlets Outlet stores in Little Rock and Rogers selling unsold retail items by the pound. Provides treasure-hunt shopping experience with fresh selection daily.
• Donation Services Accepts donations of gently used items at 52 locations statewide, including home pickup service, donation drives, and permanent bin partnerships for organizations.
• Electronic Waste Recycling E-waste recycling program accepting computers, electronics, and entertainment media to divert hazardous materials from landfills.
• Books 4 Kids Literacy program that provides high-quality books to children in low-income families through partnerships with Title I schools and qualifying programs throughout Arkansas.
• Health Equipment Loan Program (HELPS) Provides gently used medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, commodes, shower chairs, etc.) free of charge to Arkansans in need with no time limit on loans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Job placement rates exceed 90% for educational program graduates
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LAUNCH ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development platform connecting Arkansans with jobs, training, and education opportunities. Goodwill serves as a partner providing job search, training options, and employer hiring connections through the platform.
• AR Kids ReadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host family literacy workshop at The Excel Center supporting adult learners and their children's literacy development.
• Title I SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBooks 4 Kids program works directly with Title I schools and qualifying programs throughout Arkansas to distribute high-quality books to children in low-income families.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and technology training paired with employer hiring partnerships, overlapping with Goodwill's Academy digital skills tracks and IT support certifications.
• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and job placement for young adults facing employment barriers, with corporate employer partnerships similar to Goodwill's. Comparable on the mission-services side though not retail-funded.
• ThredUp (online resale): Online resale marketplace competing for higher-value donated apparel, footwear, and accessories; relevant peer for the ShopGoodwill.com e-commerce/auction channel and its economics.

Direct peers

• Goodwill of Greater Washington: Another large, independently operated Goodwill affiliate combining retail thrift operations, workforce development, and reentry programs in a single metro/state region. Strong direct comparison for funding mix, programs, and store footprint strategy.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit retail arm of Habitat for Humanity operating donated-goods home goods/furniture stores that fund affordable housing programs; parallel model of mission-funded-by-thrift retail.
• Goodwill Industries International: Parent organization of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the national umbrella for 150+ regional Goodwill affiliates operating the same retail-funded workforce development model. Most directly comparable on mission, funding mix, and operating playbooks.
• Savers / Value Village: Largest for-profit thrift retailer in North America, operating value-village and savers stores that directly compete for donors and value-conscious shoppers. Closest commercial competitor on the retail side of Goodwill's model.
• Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana (Goodwill Excel Centers): Operates the original Goodwill Excel Center network for tuition-free adult high school, which is the model Goodwill Arkansas has adopted in Little Rock and Springdale. Closest operational peer on the education + workforce training side.
• Salvation Army (USA): Operates the largest parallel network of thrift/family stores and social-service programs (reentry, adult rehabilitation, workforce) funded by donated-goods retail. Closest mission and revenue-model analog in the nonprofit space.

Regional players

• America's Job Center Alliance / Arkansas Workforce Centers: State-funded workforce development network in Arkansas offering career services, training referrals, and reentry support; overlaps with Goodwill's career services and reentry programs in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@goodwillar
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoodwillAR
• Xx.com/GoodwillAR

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Goodwill Industries of Arkansas