Goodwill Industries – Big Bend

What Goodwill Industries – Big Bend does

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise founded on June 1, 1965 in Tallahassee, Florida, operating across more than 22 counties in Northwest Florida and South Georgia. Headquartered at 300 Mabry St. in Tallahassee and employing over 900 individuals, the organization runs an integrated delivery platform comprising 26 retail thrift stores, 7 Career Resource Centers, 12 accessible affordable apartment complexes, 2 specialty bookstores, and 2 full-service car washes. Its mission-driven model converts revenue from the resale of donated goods — supplemented by monetary donations, contracted janitorial/landscaping/fleet services to federal, state, and local agencies, promotional products, and car wash fees — into free career training, education, and job placement services for individuals facing employment barriers including disabilities, justice involvement, limited education, veteran transition, and poverty. The technology backbone combines a Google Sites-based proprietary "Career Campus" learning platform, bi-weekly Zoom-delivered virtual workshops, and digital storefronts on shopgoodwill.com, Amazon, eBay, and Whatnot; curriculum includes 12+ industry-recognized credentials covering Google IT, Data Analytics, UX, Cybersecurity, Project Management, Digital Marketing & E-commerce certificates, Meta Social Media Marketing, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, CNA, and food service/hospitality pathways. Go-to-market relies on community-led referral pipelines (CareerSource Florida, FSU, FAMU, Eglin Air Force Base, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice), direct-to-consumer retail traffic at 26 physical stores and online marketplaces, and direct B2B sales for contracted business services. The CEO/President is Fred G. Shelfer, Jr. (40+ year tenure), supported by a COO, CFO, and functional VPs across transportation, HR, support services, workforce development, retail operations, and IT.

Name

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend

Legal name

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc.

Website

https://goodwillbigbend.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend is a Tallahassee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 26 thrift stores, 7 career centers, 12 affordable housing complexes, and 2 car washes across 22+ counties in Northwest Florida and South Georgia, delivering free workforce training and job placement to individuals facing employment barriers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Enterprise / Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mid-Tier Department Stores (Apparel-Led) (CRAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Off-Price Department Stores (Apparel-Led) (CRAEABAB)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Thrift retail stores
• Career training programs
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Nonprofit social enterprise

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Sales: Revenue generated from selling donated goods in thrift stores. Retail stores sell donated items to fund career training, education, job placement and support services. 90 cents of every dollar spent at stores goes into these initiatives.
2. Online Marketplace Sales: Sales through online platforms including shopgoodwill.com, Amazon, eBay, and Whatnot.
3. Monetary Donations: Community monetary donations support operating budget, program expansions, and capital expenses such as career training resources and construction projects.
4. Car Wash Services: Full-service car wash at two Tallahassee locations providing job training and employment for over 50 individuals. Service prices range from $10 to $32.
5. Contracted Business Services: Janitorial, landscape maintenance, sign maintenance, promotional products, fleet vehicle cleaning, and herbicide services provided to federal, state, local agencies and commercial businesses.
6. Promotional Products: Custom promotional products and branded merchandise through Goodwill Product Services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend operates a self-funding social enterprise that sells donated goods through 26 thrift retail stores, specialty bookstores, a computers/electronics store, and online channels (Shop Goodwill, Amazon, eBay, Whatnot), and reinvests the revenue into free career training, certification programs, and job placement services delivered through 7 Career Resource Centers and the Career Campus online learning platform. It also runs two car washes, contracted facility services for government and commercial clients, custom promotional products, 12 affordable/accessible apartment complexes, an inclusive preschool, and targeted reentry, veteran, SNAP, and AmeriCorps programs.

Product overview

Goodwill Industries – Big Bend operates a multi-faceted social enterprise combining retail operations with workforce development services. The core offering consists of thrift retail stores, specialty bookstores, and computers/electronics stores that sell donated goods, with online sales through Shop Goodwill (shopgoodwill.com), Amazon, eBay, and Whatnot. Revenue from retail operations funds workforce development programs. The Career Campus platform provides vocational training with over 12 industry-recognized certification programs including Google IT Support, Google Data Analytics, Google UX Design, Google Cybersecurity, Google Project Management, Google Digital Marketing, Microsoft 365, Certified Nursing Assistant, Food Service, Front Desk Representative, Bookkeeping/QuickBooks, and GED preparation. The organization operates 7 Career Resource Centers across Florida and Georgia, offering both in-person and virtual services including live Zoom workshops. Additional services include Goodwill Car Wash, Promotional Products, Contracted Business Services, Employer Services, Affordable Housing (12 apartment complexes), The Learning Pavilion inclusive preschool, Reentry Programs, AmeriCorps, SNAP Works Program, Ticket to Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Military/Veteran programs. The organization is accredited by CARF International.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retail Thrift Stores A network of 26 thrift stores across Northwest Florida selling donated clothing, furniture, electronics, books, and household goods to individual consumers; revenue funds the affiliate's no-cost career training programs.
• Specialty Bookstores Two Tallahassee bookstores (1943 Thomasville Road and 3111 Mahan Drive) selling donated used books, puzzles, and games with reading nooks for shoppers.
• Computers/Electronics Store Specialty store selling donated computers and electronics, also providing job training and internship opportunities in retail technology.
• Online Resale (Shop Goodwill, Amazon, eBay, Whatnot) Online channels reselling donated inventory through shopgoodwill.com (auctions), Amazon storefront, eBay store, and Whatnot live shopping platform, extending reach beyond the regional physical footprint.
• Career Resource Centers Seven Career Resource Centers across Northwest Florida and South Georgia providing free career training, education, job placement, and certification programs to individuals with employment barriers.
• Career Campus Online Learning Platform Vocational training platform (Google Sites-based, powered by Goodwill Industries Big-Bend Inc.) delivering online courses designed for independent study with industry-recognized certifications including Google IT Support, Google Data Analytics, Google UX Design, Google Cybersecurity, Google Project Management, Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce, Facebook Social Media Marketing, Microsoft 365, GED Preparation, Bookkeeping/QuickBooks, Food Service, Front Desk Representative, and CNA.
• Virtual Career Workshops Live virtual workshops delivered via Zoom every two weeks covering career path discovery, resume building, interview preparation, professional communication, workplace conflict resolution, and personal branding.
• Goodwill Car Wash Full-service car wash at two Tallahassee locations (1480 Market Street and 606 Capital Circle NE) providing job training and employment for 50+ individuals; service prices range from $10 to $32 with gift cards up to $200.
• Contracted Business Services Contracted janitorial, landscape maintenance, sign maintenance, promotional products, pond maintenance, herbicide/weed control, and fleet vehicle cleaning services provided to federal, state, and local agencies and commercial businesses.
• Goodwill Promotional Products Custom promotional products and branded merchandise produced through Goodwill Product Services; recipient of the 2021 RESPECT of Florida Workplace of the Year award.
• Employer Services Free services for employers including job applicant screening, skills training, WOTC tax credit assistance, barrier solutions, and post-hire job retention support.
• Hire Our Grads Employer recruitment service connecting businesses with pre-screened, trained program graduates; includes potential tax benefits for hiring graduates.
• Affordable / Accessible Housing Twelve accessible and affordable apartment complexes for people with disabilities in North Florida and South Georgia, with rent subsidized based on income and federal housing subsidies.
• The Learning Pavilion (Inclusive Preschool) Inclusive preschool partnership established in 2010 for children of all ability levels, particularly children at risk or with disabilities; supported through Goodwill's Round-Up checkout program.
• Reentry Programs (GO4 and Ignite 2.0) Justice-involved individual support programs including GO4 Program (LifeLaunch: Growth Opportunities 4) and Ignite 2.0 providing employment training, GED prep, and career services for 18-24 year olds in Leon and Gadsden counties; funded by U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Justice grants.
• Military, Veterans and Military Families Programs Comprehensive services for veterans including skills assessments, education training, office and computer training, and job development for disabled veterans; includes a partnership with Eglin Air Force Base for short-term, credential-bearing training for military family members.
• Georgia DFCS SNAP Works Program Partnership with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services helping SNAP recipients find employment through skills building, credentials, resume assistance, and supportive services such as clothing gift cards and transportation assistance.
• Ticket to Work Program Free voluntary program for Social Security beneficiaries aged 18-64 with disabilities; provides career counseling, individualized work plans, job training, and support while participants maintain Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Program Vendor services for the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, helping individuals with disabilities achieve vocational goals.
• AmeriCorps Goodwill GoodWorks! AmeriCorps partnership providing volunteers with bi-weekly living stipends, a Segal Education Award up to $4,424, student loan assistance, and community service experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,575 lives directly impacted in 2025 through career training, education, and support
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• The Learning Pavilion (TLP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partnership since 2010 to enhance quality of life for children with special needs. Goodwill provides administrative support and fundraising while TLP provides childcare services.
• CareerSource FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership providing employment services and job placement support across the region.
• Tallahassee Community College (TCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership collaborating on workforce training and educational programs for program participants.
• Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNAP Works Program partnership helping SNAP recipients find employment and careers.
• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor for vocational rehabilitation services contracting with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
• Florida Division of Vocational RehabilitationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor for vocational rehabilitation services contracting with Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Eglin Air Force BasemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide short-term training for military family members leading to nationally recognized credentials.
• Florida State University (FSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local sustainable clubs. FSU students can earn ServScript hours through volunteer opportunities.
• Florida A&M University (FAMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local sustainable clubs. College students can earn community service hours through volunteer opportunities.
• Georgia Technical UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for workforce development and training programs.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides scholarships for online courses including IT Support Professional, IT Automation with Python, Data Analytics, UX Design, Project Management, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing professional certificates.
• Facebook/MetacoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides scholarships for Facebook Social Media Marketing Professional certificate course.
• Bay County SchoolsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for workforce development and educational initiatives.
• Bikers Against Child AbuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for charitable initiatives including denim donation collection.
• City of Tallahassee TEMPOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership for workforce and community development programs.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Goodwill Industries of East Texas: Regional Goodwill affiliate offering similar thrift retail, career training, and community programs in a comparable mid-sized regional market. Directly comparable operating model and revenue mix to GIBB.
• Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana: A larger, well-known Goodwill affiliate operating thrift retail, workforce development, and mission services. Closely comparable model — retail revenue funding career services — and a relevant benchmark for scale and outcomes for a multi-state Goodwill chapter.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army: National non-profit operating thrift/family stores alongside adult rehabilitation, workforce, and social services. Comparable integrated thrift-plus-mission model and similar reliance on donated goods revenue to fund rehabilitation programs.
• Goodwill Industries International: National umbrella organization coordinating 154+ independent Goodwill affiliates. Directly comparable as the parent-like body governing GIBB, providing shared branding, standards, and federal grant access; operates broadly across the entire U.S. and Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goodwillbigbend
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GoodwillBB
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoodwillBigBend
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillbigbend

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Industries – Big Bend