Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania

What Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania does

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1919 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that operates a hybrid retail-and-human-services model serving the southwestern Pennsylvania and north-central West Virginia region. The organization runs 30+ thrift stores whose retail revenue (over 90% of total revenue supports job-training and employment programs per source) cross-subsidizes a comprehensive suite of programs including workforce development, education, disability services, mental health support, housing assistance, and youth reentry. It employs 1,000+ team members and serves populations facing barriers to employment: people with disabilities, youth ages 17-24, adults receiving TANF/SNAP benefits, veterans transitioning to civilian careers, fathers participating in the FORGE program, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

The technology and program platform centers on credentialed workforce training delivered through the Goodwill Tech Academy (CompTIA Tech+, CompTIA A+, Microsoft Office, Google Apps) and a licensed Computer-Based Testing Center offering proctored certification exams (GED, HiSET, Salesforce, AWS, Google Cloud). Notable proprietary assets include the JumpStart Success curriculum (field-tested for 15+ years and aligned with PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work, now available for purchase by external schools and organizations per source), the CARF-accredited Aspire Adult Training Facility with a mock apartment and interactive classroom, and Project SEARCH (transition-to-work hosted at UPMC facilities). E-commerce and donation infrastructure include ShopGoodwill.com online auctions, GoodwillBooks, home pickup scheduling for goods donations, and the GoodPerks email loyalty program.

Revenue is generated across eight streams: retail sales of donated goods (30+ thrift stores plus Amazon and eBay storefronts), Ability One federal contracts through Source America for janitorial/landscaping/warehousing at five federal facilities, vehicle donations, planned giving and recurring monetary donations, commercial data destruction (Kil-A-Byte at $20/hard drive), Mission Logistics transportation services, corporate computer donations with $200 pickup fee, and substantial federal grants including WIOA ($10.9M), TANF ($8.7M), and DOL Employment and Training ($4M). Core participant services are delivered free of charge. The organization partners with UPMC, Source America, Allegheny Link, Northside Common Ministries (an affiliate since 1982), Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, and a Business Advisory Council that includes Giant Eagle, Eat n' Park, First National Bank, and Construction Junction.

Name

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Legal name

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Website

https://goodwillswpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a 1919-founded Pittsburgh nonprofit social enterprise operating 30+ thrift stores and comprehensive human services programs — workforce development, disability services, education, housing, and mental health — serving people with disabilities, at-risk youth, and adults facing employment barriers across southwestern Pennsylvania and north-central West Virginia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Workforce Development and Human Services

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Disposal Coordination (HSAFAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donation Pickup & Reuse Hauling (HSAKALAI), Asset Recovery, Surplus & Decommissioning Services (EUAIANAD), Textile & Apparel Sorting/Recovery Facilities (EUAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Nonprofit thrift retail
• Disability employment programs
• Adult education training
• Social enterprise nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales of Donated Goods: Revenue from sale of donated clothing, household items, and goods at 30+ thrift stores and online platforms. Proceeds fund job training, education services, and community programs.
2. E-commerce Auctions: Online auction site (ShopGoodwill.com) selling antiques, collectibles, and nearly new items. Additional channels include Amazon bookstore and eBay storefront.
3. Ability One Government Contracts: Federal contracts through Source America for janitorial, warehousing, landscaping, snow removal, composting, and maintenance services at five federal government facilities including William Moorhead Federal Building and U.S. Post Office/Federal Court
4. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations with free pickup and towing. Proceeds support education, job skills training, and employment programs.
5. Planned Giving and Financial Donations: Accepts monetary donations through recurring gifts, matching gifts, planned giving, donor-advised funds, and estate planning
6. Commercial Services: Data destruction services (Kil-A-Byte) at $20 per hard drive; computer donations from businesses with pickup service and $200 fee for minimum 20 units
7. Transportation and Logistics Services: Mission Logistics provides bulk transportation services to for-profit and non-profit enterprises without long-term contracts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania operates more than 30 nonprofit thrift stores and online resale platforms that sell donated clothing, household items, antiques, books, and media to fund its mission. The organization delivers workforce development, education, disability, housing, and mental health services across southwestern Pennsylvania and north-central West Virginia, including adult education (GED/HiSET/ESL), IT certification training (CompTIA Tech+ and A+), supported employment, youth programs, reentry services, accessibility consulting, and janitorial/logistics contracts for federal facilities.

Product overview

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a social enterprise organization offering a diverse portfolio of human services, retail operations, and workforce development programs. The organization operates over 30 nonprofit thrift stores (core retail), accepts donations of goods/computers/vehicles, and provides comprehensive life-changing services. Education and Training Services include the Goodwill Tech Academy with certification programs (CompTIA Tech+, CompTIA A+), GED/HiSET classes, ESL classes, and computer basics courses. Disability Services encompass adult and youth programs including Supported Employment, Aspire Adult Training Facility, Assistive Technology, Project SEARCH, Project LIFE, and mental health services (Union Station Clubhouse, Fayette Transitional Employment). Employment Services feature Adult Career Services, SNAP EARN, TANF EARN, YouthWorks, IMPACT, and FORGE fatherhood program. Housing and Community Services provide Rapid Rehousing, Supportive Housing, Career Services Center with webinars, and Northside Common Ministries affiliate. Business Services offer Accessibility Solutions, ProfitABILITY Toolkit, Contract Janitorial Services, Mission Logistics, and Commercial Services including Ability One contracts. The portfolio also includes ShopGoodwill online auction, GoodwillBooks, GoodPerks loyalty program, and Creator's Circle ambassador program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ShopGoodwill: Goodwill's online auction site featuring antiques, collectibles, and new or nearly new items from donated goods inventory.
• GoodwillBooks
• YouthWorks
• YouthWorks JumpStart Success
• Goodwill Tech Academy
• Goodperks
• Mission Logistics
• Northside Common Ministries

Products and services

• Nonprofit Thrift Retail Stores Network of 30+ thrift stores selling donated clothing, household items, and goods to consumers, with proceeds funding job-training and employment programs.
• ShopGoodwill Online Auctions Online auction platform offering antiques, collectibles, and nearly new items from donated goods inventory, with proceeds funding education, training, and job placement programs.
• GoodwillBooks Online storefront offering books, CDs, DVDs, and video games from donated inventory with proceeds supporting job training and education programs.
• Education and Training Services (GED/HiSET/ESL) Free adult education services including GED/HiSET prep classes, ESL classes, computer classes, and a licensed computer-based testing center for Allegheny County residents.
• Goodwill Tech Academy Technology skills training program offering computer basics, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, CompTIA Tech+, and CompTIA A+ certification courses to develop digital competencies for careers.
• CompTIA Certification Programs (Tech+ and A+) Two CompTIA certification training programs: CompTIA Tech+ (8 weeks for entry-level learners) and CompTIA A+ (two 16-week terms covering mobile devices, networking, hardware, cloud, security, and software troubleshooting), offered with full scholarship.
• Disability Services Comprehensive services for adults and youth with disabilities including supported employment, adult training facilities (Aspire), assistive technology, mental health services, and transition programs.
• Aspire Adult Training Facility Licensed and CARF-accredited program for adults ages 18-59 with intellectual or developmental disabilities offering job readiness, daily living, and independent living skills through community-integrated modules.
• Employment Services (Adult Career Services) Adult workforce development services including career counseling, TANF EARN, SNAP EARN, Direct Care Employment Training, and the Career Services Center providing resume, job search, and interview support.
• YouthWorks Youth Workforce Development Youth workforce development program since 1994 serving youth in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County with career exploration, work readiness training, and employment opportunities through sub-programs like IMPACT, GO4, and HIRE Me.
• IMPACT Program (Job Search and Retail Training) 12-week retail training program for ages 17-24 with National Retail Federation Foundation certification, $11.50/hour wages during training, and guaranteed employment at Goodwill upon completion.
• LifeLaunch: GO4 Reentry Program Young adult reentry program for ages 18-24 with justice system involvement offering JumpStart Success curriculum, paid work experience, and National Retail Federation Foundation certification.
• Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work One-year employment preparation program at UPMC facilities for students ages 18-21 with disabilities combining classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through three targeted worksite rotations.
• Project LIFE Transition Program Multi-year transition-to-adulthood program for individuals ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities, offering life skills education and work-based learning experiences.
• FORGE Fatherhood Program Fatherhood program helping dads in the Greater Allegheny County Area build parenting, relationship, and communication skills through the 24/7 Dad program and workshops.
• Housing and Community Services Housing assistance programs including rapid rehousing (Harbor II, Good Start), supportive housing for adults with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness, and the Partner with Goodwill Housing landlord partnership.
• Give Back Program (Retail Vouchers) Program providing retail vouchers to qualifying 501(c)(3) agencies for their participants to redeem at Goodwill stores within the service area.
• Business Services (Workforce Solutions for Employers) Business services for employers including workforce recruitment and retention, accessibility solutions consulting, commercial contract services, and mission logistics. Delivered via Business Engagement Department and Business Advisory Council.
• Accessibility Solutions Consulting Business consulting service helping organizations ensure ADA compliance through site reviews, job accommodation evaluations, and staff training on disability issues to expand customer base and workforce.
• ProfitABILITY Toolkit Online resource toolkit helping organizations recruit, hire, retain, and advance workers with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Ability One Federal Contract Services (Janitorial, Warehousing, Landscaping) Source America Ability One Program contracts delivering janitorial, warehousing, landscaping, snow removal, composting, and maintenance services at five federal government facilities including William Moorhead Federal Building and Joseph F. Weis Jr. US Post Office/Federal Court.
• Commercial Janitorial Services Affordable commercial cleaning services for businesses in Fayette County and surrounding areas, offering floor care, carpet cleaning, restroom cleaning, dusting, and trash removal with day and night shifts.
• Mission Logistics Transportation Services Transportation and logistics services providing point-to-point delivery, low-cost freight, cartage agent services, and package collection/dispatching for for-profit and non-profit enterprises without long-term contracts.
• Donation Home Pickup Service Free scheduled pickup service for donated goods from donors' homes across the service area, scheduled online.
• Vehicle Donation Program Vehicle donation program accepting cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, and other vehicles with free pickup and towing, and a minimum $499 tax deduction guaranteed.
• Computer-Based Testing Services Licensed testing center at the Workforce Development Center offering certification tests including GED, HiSET, Salesforce, CompTIA, TSA, PA Notary, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud exams.
• Individualized Pathways (Tech Academy) One-on-one digital skills appointments offering personalized learning paths for Job Seekers, Personal Growth, and Employment Upskilling at the Workforce Development Center or via Zoom.
• JumpStart Success Curriculum (License Offering) Premier job readiness and career exploration curriculum for ages 14-25, aligned with PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work, available for purchase by schools and organizations.
• Computer Donation Pickup and Data Destruction Business computer donation pickup service with $200 fee for minimum 20 units; HIPAA-compliant Kil-A-Byte certified data destruction service at $20 per hard drive.
• Charitable Giving Programs (Recurring, Matching, Planned) Charitable giving programs including GoodFriends recurring monthly/quarterly gifts, corporate matching gifts, planned giving via bequests and donor-advised funds, and United Way / Combined Federal Campaign workplace giving.
• Union Station Clubhouse (Mental Health) Psychiatric rehabilitative program for adults with mental health conditions in Fayette County, providing employment, education, housing support, and structured daily participation in a supportive community.
• Assistive Technology Program Assistive technology services helping people with disabilities find tools for independent living, working, and learning through evaluation, information, training, technical support, and equipment demonstrations.
• Supported Employment Program Employment support program for people with disabilities offering job selection based on interests/skills, application assistance, placement, and ongoing retention support in collaboration with Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) Career workshop program for veterans, National Guard, Reserve members, and spouses offering Your Next Move, Marketing Yourself, and Resume Essentials workshops in-person and virtually.
• Donation Drives (Community Fundraising) Community fundraising program allowing schools, sports teams, and nonprofits to collect donations and get paid per container, supporting Goodwill's reuse and recycling mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,000+ youth served since 1994 through YouthWorks program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Source AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource America is a national nonprofit agency creating employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities. Goodwill's largest contracts for janitorial, warehousing, landscaping, snow removal, composting and maintenance services are Ability One Program contracts supported by Source America to clean five Federal government facilities.
• Allegheny LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to safe alternatives through the Homeless Coordinated Entry system. Goodwill provides rapid rehousing, supportive housing, and case management services through this partnership.
• UPMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPMC hosts the Project SEARCH transition-to-work program at multiple hospital locations including UPMC Mercy Hospital. Students participate in three targeted rotations learning work skills in various hospital departments.
• Northside Common MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthside Common Ministries is an affiliate of Goodwill SWPA, a non-sectarian nonprofit established in 1982 by local churches to meet homeless population needs. Operates Pleasant Valley Emergency Shelter and Northside Food Pantry. Goodwill provides TANF EARN services at this location.
• Fayette County Behavioral Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCBHS funds the Transitional Employment Program for individuals whose employment success may be impacted by mental health. Program services code H2023 with rates determined by FCBHS at referral.
• U.S. Federal GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbility One Program contracts through Source America for janitorial services at federal facilities including William Moorhead Federal Building, Joseph F. Weis Jr. US Post Office/Federal Court, Social Security Administration offices in East Liberty and Greensburg, and Boyers Region US Office of Personnel Management.
• Business Advisory Council (BAC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer engagement liaison guides businesses through hosting candidates, hiring, or supporting Goodwill SWPA programs. Council members include UPMC, Giant Eagle, Eat n' Park, Construction Junction, Flagger Force, First National Bank, RoadRunner Recycling.
• Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBTT program open to veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and spouses. Provides in-person and virtual workshops at Goodwill's Workforce Development Center including Your Next Move, Marketing Yourself, and Resume Essentials.
• Pennsylvania Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, Division of Rehabilitation Services. Associated with Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Dress for Success: Nonprofit providing workforce preparation and professional attire to job seekers in transition. Comparable to Goodwill SWPA's Career Services Center and employment-readiness programming, though Dress for Success focuses more narrowly on interview-readiness support.

Direct peers

• Savers / Value Village: For-profit thrift retail operator running hundreds of stores across the U.S., Canada, and internationally under multiple banners. Comparable thrift retail scale model, though without the integrated workforce development mission.
• Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating thrift retail, workforce development, and disability services across Indiana. Highly comparable social-enterprise model with similar mix of government contracts, retail funding, and human services programming.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating thrift retail and workforce development in the Cleveland area. Direct comparability in regional scale, retail footprint, and workforce programs targeting similar populations.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit delivering disability services, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce development. Comparable to Goodwill SWPA's disability services portfolio, Aspire Adult Training Facility, and Supported Employment programs.
• Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake: Regional Goodwill affiliate serving Maryland and DC with retail stores, workforce development, and Ability One federal contracts. Mirrors Goodwill SWPA's combination of retail thrift, federal contracting, and human services delivery.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Reuse retail operation selling donated furniture, appliances, and building materials to fund Habitat homebuilding. Comparable nonprofit reuse-retail-funds-mission structure, with regional ReStore locations similar to Goodwill SWPA's retail footprint.
• Salvation Army: Operates Family Stores (thrift retail) and a broad portfolio of human services including workforce development, housing, and addiction recovery. The most direct competitor in the dual-mission thrift-plus-social-services space.
• CareerSource (Workforce Development Boards): Federally funded American Job Center network delivering WIOA-funded workforce services. Directly comparable to Goodwill SWPA's Adult Career Services, TANF EARN, and SNAP EARN programs in mission, funding model, and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Umbrella organization for 150+ regional Goodwill affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. Provides brand standards, training infrastructure, and shared services that frame how regional affiliates like Goodwill SWPA operate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/goodwillswpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/goodwillswpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goodwill-of-southwestern-pennsylvania
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillswpa
• TikToktiktok.com/@goodwillswpa
• Xx.com/gwswpa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 of Southwestern Pennsylvania