Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA

What Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA does

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 in Macon, Georgia, and an autonomous member of the Goodwill Industries International federation. It operates across 35 counties (31 in Georgia and 4 in South Carolina) a multi-pillar social enterprise that combines thrift retail, donated-goods collection, workforce development, vocational education, and hospitality. Core programs include retail stores (selling donated clothing, furniture, and household goods), 8 Job Connection career centers providing free job placement services, Goodwill Career Education (short-term certifications in healthcare, industrial trades, and business), Helms College (an accredited post-secondary institution—the only college operated by an autonomous Goodwill nonprofit), Edgar's Hospitality Group (15 venues including restaurants, conference centers, a bakery, and a farm), and a Goodwill Automotive Center. The organization serves individuals with employment barriers (disabilities, justice involvement, lack of education, poverty), employers seeking trained workers, community donors, and adult learners. It states that 86 cents of every dollar earned funds mission programs, and reports having placed over 30,811 people into competitive employment and generated $888.9 million in regional economic impact over the past five years.

The underlying operating model integrates retail revenue (the dominant self-funding mechanism) with foundation grants, government workforce contracts (AbilityOne, SSVF, SNAP2WORK, TANF, GVRA), career education tuition, automotive services, and hospitality revenue. Edgar's Hospitality Group venues serve as applied learning laboratories for Helms College students, creating an internal training-to-employment pipeline that is unique within the Goodwill network. Technology usage is limited to standard nonprofit operational tooling (Salesforce, Constant Contact, ShopGoodwill.com ecommerce platform, ClickandPledge, FreeWill for planned giving); no proprietary AI/ML systems are disclosed. The organization is led by President James K. Stiff (since 1994), who has grown operating revenue from $1 million to over $40 million. Key sub-brands include Helms College, Edgar's Hospitality Group, Goodwill Works Foundation, Goodwill Career Education, and Edgar's Acres at Wright's Farm.

The go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer via retail and donation traffic, supplemented by referral partnerships with government workforce agencies and employer hiring relationships. Customer segments are diversified across individual job seekers, donors, retail shoppers, students, employers, and government referral partners. The geographic footprint is regional—Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area—with no global operations. Recent expansion activity includes a 2024 Walton Way retail training store in Augusta, a 6-acre working farm (Edgar's Acres), and new HVAC training labs at Helms College (March 2026), indicating continued programmatic and geographic expansion within the existing service territory.

Name

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA

Legal name

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA

Website

https://goodwillworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise operating retail stores, career centers, vocational training, Helms College, and 15 hospitality venues across 35 Georgia and South Carolina counties to help individuals with employment barriers gain jobs and credentials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Enterprise Workforce Development

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industry Credential, Certification & Badge Prep (Non-Degree) (EDAMAKAH), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ)

Keywords

• Thrift retail stores
• Workforce development services
• Vocational training programs
• Community education services
• Social enterprise nonprofits

Headquarters

HQ city

Macon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales of Donated Goods: Goodwill operates retail stores selling donated clothing, furniture, household items, and other goods. Revenue from these sales funds the organization's workforce development and education programs. The organization states that 86 cents of every dollar earned funds job training and placement services.
2. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations which are resold at public auction, with proceeds funding employment programs.
3. Hospitality Venues: Edgar's Hospitality Group operates restaurants, conference centers, and catering services that generate revenue while providing real-world training for Helms College students.
4. Foundation Donations and Grants: Goodwill Works Foundation cultivates financial contributions from individuals, businesses, corporations, and grantmakers to support education, job training, and employment placement services.
5. Career Education Tuition: Tuition varies by course; many programs are free or low-cost for eligible participants based on income, employment status, or other criteria. Revenue supplements program costs.
6. Automotive Services: Goodwill Automotive Center provides vehicle maintenance and repair services (oil changes, brake services, tire services, etc.) which generate revenue while providing hands-on training opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA operates a social enterprise combining thrift retail stores (selling donated clothing, furniture, and household goods), workforce development programs (Job Connection Career Centers, AbilityOne, SNAP2WORK, SSVF, TANF), postsecondary education (Helms College and Goodwill Career Education short-term vocational training), and hospitality venues (Edgar's Hospitality Group with 15 facilities) that serve as applied learning labs. Revenue from retail, hospitality, automotive services, and donations funds free and subsidized job training, career placement, and education programs for individuals with employment barriers across 35 counties in Georgia and South Carolina.

Product overview

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA operates a multi-faceted nonprofit social enterprise organized around four interconnected pillars: retail operations (Goodwill Retail Stores selling donated goods), workforce development (Job Connection Career Centers and Workforce Development Programs including AbilityOne, SNAP2WORK, SSVF, TANF, and Vocational Rehabilitation), education and training (Goodwill Career Education short-term vocational programs and Helms College accredited postsecondary degree programs), and hospitality/social enterprise (Edgar's Hospitality Group restaurant venues and Edgar's Acres farm). The organization also operates an Automotive Center for vehicle donations and services. These programs are funded primarily through retail store revenue and donations, with the hospitality venues also serving as applied learning laboratories for Helms College students. Education offerings include GED preparation, English as a Second Language instruction, and short-term vocational certifications in healthcare, trades, and business fields. The integrated model connects donated goods to jobs to education to employment, creating career pathways for individuals with barriers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Helms College: A private, independent postsecondary career school sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia Inc., authorized by the Georgia Non Public Post-Secondary Education Commission, offering accredited programs in hospitality, health services, and industrial trades.
• Edgar's Hospitality Group
• Goodwill Works Foundation
• Goodwill Career Education
• Edgar's Acres at Wright's Farm

Products and services

• Goodwill Retail Stores Thrift retail stores selling donated clothing, furniture, household items, books, electronics, and other goods. Revenue from sales funds job training and placement services.
• Job Connection Career Centers Career center services providing job search assistance, resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement for individuals with employment barriers. Operates 8 regional career centers across Georgia and South Carolina.
• Goodwill Career Education Vocational training programs including Forklift Operator, Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant, Intro to Business, and HBI Pre-Apprentice Certificate programs offering industry-recognized credentials.
• Helms College Private postsecondary career school sponsored by Goodwill, offering accredited associate degrees and certifications in hospitality, health services, and industrial trades. Only college in the world operated by an autonomous Goodwill organization.
• Edgar's Hospitality Group Hospitality division managing 15 restaurants and event venues including Edgar's Grille, Edgar's Bistro, Edgar's Bakehouse, Edgar's Above Broad, The Pinnacle Club, Anderson Conference Center, Snelling Conference Center, and Edgar's Acres farm. Serves as applied learning labs for Helms College students.
• Goodwill Automotive Center Automotive service center providing vehicle maintenance and repairs (oil changes, brakes, tires, diagnostics) and accepting vehicle donations. Services help fund mission while providing hands-on training.
• GED Program Free General Education Development exam preparation program offering tutor-assisted, self-paced online coursework with in-person support to help learners obtain their GED credential.
• English Second Language Program Free English Language Learner classes offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and pronunciation for the Central Savannah River Area.
• Workforce Development Programs Federally and state-funded employment programs serving specific populations including AbilityOne (disabilities), SNAP2WORK, SSVF (veterans), TANF, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Pre-ETS youth programs.
• Edgar's Acres at Wright's Farm Six-acre working farm in Grovetown, Georgia providing fresh produce for Edgar's Hospitality Group while serving as a living classroom for Helms College culinary and agricultural students.
• Vehicle Donation Program Accepts vehicle donations (cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles) with free pickup, providing tax deductions and funding employment programs while offering hands-on job training.
• Summer GROW Program Week-long experiential youth workforce program (Getting Ready for Opportunities in Work) for Georgia students with disabilities ages 14-21, covering work readiness, career exploration, and self-advocacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,811 people placed into competitive employment over five years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to utilize progressive training methods to prepare people with disabilities for competitive employment. Services include work-related skills evaluation, career exploration, work experience, vocational evaluations, and job placement. Also provides Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for youth ages 14-22.
• AbilityOne ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer development and employment services for people with significant documented disabilities. Provides on-the-job training, competitive wages, and hands-on work experience. Locations include Fort Gordon Military Base (CSRA) and Robins Air Force Base (Middle Georgia).
• SNAP2WORK / SC Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn collaboration with federal Food and Nutrition Service and SC DSS, provides career development and workforce training for SNAP-eligible participants 18+. Offers career training opportunities, individual career plans, and job placement resources.
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) / CSRA Economic Opportunity AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority and Forces United to provide supportive services to eligible military veterans and families. Promotes civilian transitions, connects with community resources, and assists with housing and job placement.
• TANF / Georgia DFCScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides career development assistance and job placement resources to individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families stipends in Georgia. Helps develop career plans, provides job readiness training, and job placement/retention assistance.
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)coreTechnology or IntegrationCertifying body for several Goodwill Career Education programs. Students can earn industry-recognized credentials including Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), EKG Technician, and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certifications through NHA exams.
• Home Builders Institute (HBI)coreTechnology or IntegrationDevelops the Pre-Apprentice Certificate Training (PACT) program that equips participants with foundational construction skills, industry-recognized safety training, and employability competencies. HBI PACT Core credential is awarded upon completion.
• ReSupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeteran-owned business partnered with Goodwill to provide donation pick-up service for a fee. Offers 48-hour pickup, retrieves items from inside homes, disassembles furniture, and handles items in any condition.
• FreeWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline giving platform partner offering smart giving options including stocks, IRA gifts, Donor-Advised Fund grants, and cryptocurrency donations with tax benefits.
• Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)coreOthersState regulatory body that authorizes Goodwill Career Education and Helms College to operate as postsecondary educational institutions in Georgia.
• Helms CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only college in the world operated by an autonomous Goodwill non-profit organization. Offers accredited associate degrees and certifications in hospitality, healthcare, and skilled trades with hands-on applied learning through Edgar's Hospitality Group venues.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves20 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Goodwill of North Georgia: Autonomous Goodwill serving the Atlanta metro and north Georgia region with retail stores, career services, and training. Directly comparable as a same-state peer in the Goodwill Industries International federation with similar workforce development and retail business mix.
• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers: Regional Goodwill serving west Georgia and east Alabama with retail stores and career services. Comparable as a neighboring southeastern Goodwill affiliate operating the same federation social enterprise model.
• Goodwill of Greater Washington: Autonomous Goodwill serving the DC metro region where President Stiff previously served for seven years before moving to Georgia. Operates retail, workforce, and mission programs under the same federation umbrella.
• Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire: Autonomous Goodwill serving Savannah and coastal Georgia with retail, career services, and workforce programs. Closely comparable as a same-state Goodwill affiliate operating thrift retail and workforce development in a defined regional territory.

Direct peers

• Goodwill of the Olympics and Puget Sound: Pacific Northwest Goodwill operating retail stores, workforce development, and training programs including healthcare credentialing. Comparable as a large multi-program Goodwill affiliate combining retail and workforce services.
• Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana: One of the most operationally diverse Goodwills in the network, operating retail, career services, training programs, and commercial businesses. Closely comparable to Middle Georgia's integrated social enterprise model at similar revenue scale.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Parent federation of 165+ autonomous Goodwills including the subject company. Operates shared brand standards, training programs, and the ShopGoodwill.com online marketplace referenced in the subject's distribution channels.
• Salvation Army (Southern Territory): National nonprofit social services organization operating thrift retail stores, workforce programs, and adult rehabilitation centers. Comparable in combining donated-goods retail with workforce development for individuals with barriers.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit retail home goods/furniture stores operated by Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the US, including Georgia. Directly comparable as a mission-funded thrift retail model in the same geographic footprint.

Others

• SERCO / workforce development intermediaries: Large-scale workforce development and government program operators (SERCO, MAXIMUS, ResCare) that compete for federal/state workforce contracts. Relevant as adjacent ecosystem players in the same government-funded workforce development space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/GoodwillWorks
• Facebookfacebook.com/goodwillworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goodwill-industries-of-middle-georgia-and-the-csra
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillworks
• Xx.com/goodwillworks

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries3 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 of Middle Georgia and the CSRA