What Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota does

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1919 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. It operates a dual-purpose model in which thrift retail proceeds fund free workforce development services. The retail arm consists of 40+ Goodwill thrift stores across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, three wholesale outlets (Chaska, St. Paul, Brooklyn Park) selling items by the pound, and the ShopGoodwill.com/MN online auction and e-commerce platform. Together these channels process approximately 75 million donated items annually and divert over 60 million pounds from Minnesota landfills. 65% of stores feature electric vehicle charging stations, and new formats in Lakeville (Jan 2024) and Waconia (Jan 2026) reflect continued retail densification.

The service arm provides free career training and support to roughly 5,778 participants annually across all 59 Minnesota counties, including people with disabilities, individuals with criminal backgrounds, youth and young adults, single parents, and families facing employment barriers. Service lines include industry-specific training (financial industry, construction, automotive, and clean technology), disability services, the ReEntry program, the FATHER Project, YouthBuild, digital literacy (delivered via three computer labs), and wraparound support services covering food, housing, childcare, transportation, and technology resources. The newly opened 50,000+ square-foot Career & Services Campus in St. Paul (Nov 4, 2025) houses auto, construction, clean-tech, and computer labs, with All Solar Energy as a co-located tenant. GESMN is independently governed but affiliated with Goodwill Industries International and Easterseals Community and Disability Services.

Revenue derives from thrift store sales, e-commerce transactions, outlet and wholesale operations, government grants (DEED, Hennepin County WIOA, MN Department of Corrections, MN Department of Labor & Industry LEAP, and a $1.5M Minnesota Legislature appropriation for the FATHER Project for 2026-27), foundation grants, and individual donor contributions through the Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation (established 2014). The Goodwill VIP loyalty program drives repeat retail engagement. Pricing for participants is free; retail pricing starts at $0.99, with weekly color-tag promotions and demographic discounts. The leadership team is anchored by President & CEO Dr. Michael Wirth-Davis (35+ years), supported by a C-suite covering sales/marketing, finance, HR/risk, philanthropy, and services/programs.

Name

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota

Legal name

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota

Website

https://goodwilleasterseals.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 40+ thrift stores and e-commerce channels whose proceeds fund free workforce development, disability, youth, and family stability services for roughly 5,778 participants annually across Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510)

SIC

Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Liquidation, Returns & Overstock Recommerce Marketplaces (CRAFAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Closeout & Liquidation Marketplaces (CRAEAFAF), Returns & Salvage (Customer Returns) Retail (CRAEAFAC)

Keywords

• Thrift retail stores
• Workforce development services
• Career training programs
• Disability employment services
• Donation processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Thrift Retail Store Sales: Proceeds from 40+ local Goodwill retail stores selling donated clothing, household items, furniture, electronics, and more. This is the primary revenue source funding career training services.
2. E-commerce and Online Auctions: ShopGoodwill.com/MN online auction site and e-commerce operations. Sells unique items, collectibles, luxury goods, and thrift merchandise online.
3. Outlet and Wholesale Operations: Three outlet and wholesale locations selling items by the pound. Operates aftermarket and salvage operations with domestic and international partners.
4. Grants and Financial Contributions: Funding from government grants (DEED, Department of Corrections, Hennepin County WIOA, MN Dept of Labor & Industry), foundation grants, and individual donor contributions. Minnesota Legislature awarded $1.5 Million to FATHER Project for 2026-27.
5. VIP Loyalty Program: Free rewards program where customers earn 1 point per $1 spent. Points convert to $3 rewards every 33 points. Generates customer engagement and repeat purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Operates a network of thrift retail stores, by-the-pound outlet stores, and the ShopGoodwill.com online auction platform in Minnesota, processing and reselling donated goods. Net proceeds from retail fund free career training, disability employment, family stability, and youth development programs delivered to individuals facing barriers to work.

Product overview

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota operates a dual-purpose organization combining thrift retail operations with comprehensive career training services. The retail arm includes 40+ Goodwill thrift stores, 3 outlet locations, ShopGoodwill.com/MN e-commerce platform, and donation services that process 75 million items annually. The service arm provides career training, disability services, employment services, family stability programs (including the FATHER Project), and youth services (including YouthBuild) through their new Career & Services Campus. The Goodwill VIP Rewards loyalty program connects retail shopping to community impact. Proceeds from all retail operations fund free customized career services serving nearly 6,000 Minnesotans annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Goodwill VIP: Loyalty rewards program where members earn 1 point for every $1 spent, with every 33 points redeemable for $3 off purchases.
• ShopGoodwill

Products and services

• Goodwill Thrift Stores Network of 40+ full-price thrift retail stores across Minnesota selling donated clothing, housewares, books, and accessories to individual consumers, with proceeds funding the organization's mission.
• Goodwill Outlet Stores Three outlet locations that sell unsorted or unsold donated goods by the pound, capturing residual value from donations beyond what regular thrift stores can move.
• ShopGoodwill.com Minnesota E-Commerce Online auction site listing higher-value donated merchandise (collectibles, electronics, specialty items) to a national audience of bidders, extending GESMN's retail footprint beyond Minnesota.
• VIP Rewards Loyalty Program Free in-store loyalty program that gives members access to exclusive deals, color tag promotions, and personalized offers across GESMN's thrift store network.
• Career Training and Education Programs Free, industry-specific career training and credentialing for Minnesotans facing barriers to employment, including pathways into growing sectors such as clean energy.
• Disability Services Employment and support services for individuals with disabilities, including job placement, coaching, and accommodation support, delivered as part of GESMN's mission.
• Employment Services
• Family Stability Services Wraparound supports such as financial coaching, housing navigation, and emergency assistance that help program participants stabilize so they can complete training and stay employed.
• Youth and Young Adult Services Career exploration, education, and employment-readiness services targeted at Minnesota youth and young adults, often delivered in partnership with schools and community organizations.
• Digital Literacy Training Basic and intermediate digital skills training delivered through three dedicated computer labs, supporting participants' ability to succeed in modern workplaces.
• Donation Pickup and Drop-Off Services Scheduled and drop-off donation collection services that supply the inventory pipeline for GESMN's thrift stores, outlets, and online auctions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,778 participants served from 59 Minnesota counties annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Goodwill Clean Tech AcceleratormajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026GESMN has partnered with Goodwill Industries International and its Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator to launch clean energy training programs including solar panel installation, heat pump installation, and electric vehicle support equipment repair.
• All Solar EnergymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 November 2025Tenant at the new Career & Services Campus, leasing roughly 50,000 square feet of the 100,000 square foot facility. Enables clean technology training partnership and workforce development in solar energy.
• Goodwill Industries InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGESMN is an affiliate of Goodwill Industries International. National parent organization provides brand, resources, and network of 150 Goodwill member agencies that collectively divert over 4.4 billion pounds from landfills annually. Steven Preston, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries International, attended the Career & Services Campus grand opening.
• Easterseals Community and Disability ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGESMN is an affiliate of Easterseals. National parent organization focuses on community and disability services. Kendra Davenport, President & CEO of Easterseals, attended the Career & Services Campus grand opening.
• Goodwill Industries International (150 member agencies)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 150 Goodwill member agencies across the U.S. and Canada that collectively divert over 4.4 billion pounds from landfills annually through reuse and recycling operations.
• American Job Center NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGESMN is a proud partner of the American Job Center network, connecting job seekers to employment resources and training programs.
• Minnesota Schools (31 schools)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 31 schools to help youth explore career interests, build skills and gain experience through work-based learning. Served 1,099 youth through these partnerships.
• Minnesota employersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local employers to develop a pipeline of trained workers with skills and backgrounds to fill essential roles. Minnesota's Skills-based Talent Accelerator helps connect employers to trained workers.
• ReSupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party partner providing donation pickup services for a fee. Enables contactless donation process for customers scheduling cleanouts, moving, new furniture and other donations.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Salvation Army: Closest comparable nonprofit operating thrift retail stores alongside social service programs (including Adult Rehabilitation Centers). Directly competes with Goodwill for both donated goods supply and value-conscious shoppers, with the same mission-driven dual model.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit home goods and furniture resale retail chain operated by Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Shares GESMN's nonprofit retail model that uses store proceeds to fund mission programs, with similar donation-driven supply chain and outlet/retail format.
• Savers / Value Village: Largest for-profit thrift retail chain in North America. Competes directly with Goodwill for both donation supply (Savers purchases donations from nonprofit partners) and value-conscious shoppers across multiple U.S. states including the Upper Midwest.
• ThredUp: Large online recommerce platform selling secondhand apparel and accessories. Competes with ShopGoodwill.com/MN for online thrift shoppers and intercepts donations that might otherwise reach thrift stores via its Clean Out service.
• Poshmark: Online social commerce marketplace for secondhand fashion. Competes for both donation supply (via direct peer-to-peer resale) and shoppers seeking curated secondhand apparel, particularly relevant to ShopGoodwill's vintage and collectibles categories.
• Arc Thrift Stores: Nonprofit thrift store chain operated by The Arc, serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates the same dual mission model where retail proceeds fund disability services, closely mirroring GESMN's combination of career services and thrift retail.
• AMVETS National Service Foundation: Nonprofit operating thrift retail stores nationwide to fund veterans services. Direct competitor for donated goods supply and value-conscious shoppers, with the same mission-funded-by-thrift model.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National umbrella organization coordinating 150 Goodwill member agencies that collectively divert over 4.4 billion pounds from landfills annually. GESMN is an affiliate within this network; GII represents the broader Goodwill enterprise model and competing regional affiliates.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit network focused on disability services and workforce development. GESMN uniquely combines Goodwill AND Easterseals affiliations. Easterseals is a broader incumbent operating comparable disability, employment, and community programs nationally.

Regional players

• Goodwill of the Great Plains: Sister Goodwill affiliate operating across South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota border regions under the same Goodwill Industries International brand. Operates similar thrift stores plus workforce development programs, providing direct regional comparison.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillmn
• Xx.com/GoodwillMN
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoodwillMN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1st-source

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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-Easter Seals Minnesota