Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

What Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan does

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1956 and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The organization operates a hybrid social enterprise model that combines retail operations, B2B industrial services, and community programs, employing approximately 62 people. Revenue is generated through three primary streams: thrift store retail across 10 physical locations plus a Stevensville boutique and a Saugatuck donation center; Supply Chain Solutions providing sorting, kitting, warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, apparel printing, and electronic recycling (via the Dell Reconnect program) to manufacturing, medical, automotive, plastics, and retail clients; and monetary plus in-kind donations, including a Workers On Wheels vehicle donation program.

The organization's stated program efficiency is approximately 92%, meaning roughly 92 cents of every dollar generated is reinvested into community programs, with the remaining 8% covering administrative and operational costs. Mission-aligned programs include the Life Guides program (a 20-year commitment to families with children ages 0-3 to exit poverty), a free GED preparation program, Job Development services, Forklift Certification, Basic Computer Education, the Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway (a paid eight-month apprenticeship resulting in CDA certification), the Workers On Wheels transportation program, and a Get Help at Goodwill service for community resource navigation.

The business model is mission-driven and geographically bounded to Southwestern Michigan — primarily Kalamazoo and Allegan Counties for program services, with broader regional reach for supply chain and retail operations. Leadership consists of President/CEO Michael Jones with three VPs overseeing Agency Infrastructure and Security (Aditya Rama), Retail (Mark Ziegert), and Mission Services (Erik Bergh). The organization maintains CARF accreditation for vocational rehabilitation, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and a Platinum GuideStar transparency rating, while operating independently within the Goodwill Industries International network.

Name

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

Legal name

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

Website

https://goodwillswmi.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan is a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Kalamazoo, MI that funds workforce development programs through thrift retail, B2B supply chain services, and donations across Southwestern Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Workforce Development and Social Services

NAICS

Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Waste Management and Remediation Services (562), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (424350)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Wholesale-Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods (5190)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Textile & Apparel Sorting/Recovery Facilities (EUAIADAJ), Asset Recovery, Surplus & Decommissioning Services (EUAIANAD)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Thrift retail stores
• Supply chain solutions
• Adult education programs
• Vocational rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalamazoo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Thrift Store Sales: Retail sales of donated goods through 10+ thrift store locations in Southwestern Michigan. Approximately 92% of every dollar generated is reinvested into community programs.
2. Supply Chain Solutions: Industrial services including parts sorting, kitting, warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment for manufacturing, medical, automotive, and retail industries. Generates revenue through service contracts with cost savings of 35-50% for clients.
3. Donations: Accepts monetary donations and donated goods (clothing, furniture, electronics, vehicles) to support community programs. Vehicle donations through Workers On Wheels program.
4. Apparel Printing: Custom apparel printing services for businesses, events, schools, and organizations. Provides shirt options including sweatshirts, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and tank tops.
5. Electronic Recycling: E-waste recycling services in partnership with Dell. Accepts computers, printers, game consoles, and other electronics including CRT monitors (free of charge).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan operates a hybrid social enterprise combining a 10-location thrift retail chain, a B2B Supply Chain Solutions division offering sorting/kitting, warehousing, distribution, apparel printing, and electronic recycling, with a workforce development mission that delivers free Adult Education (GED), Job Development, Forklift Certification, Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway, Workers On Wheels transportation, and the 20-year Life Guides family coaching program. Approximately 92% of every dollar generated is reinvested into these community programs serving low-income individuals and families in Kalamazoo and Allegan Counties.

Product overview

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan operates as a 501c3 nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community support programs and commercial services. The organization provides workforce development programs including Adult Education (GED), Job Development, Forklift Certification, and the Life Guides 20-year family coaching program. Commercial operations include 10 thrift retail stores plus a specialty boutique, and a Supply Chain Solutions division offering sorting & kitting services, electronic recycling (via Dell partnership), warehousing & distribution, and custom apparel printing. Additional products include shoe display tents and PPE face shields. Approximately 92% of all revenue funds community programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thrift Stores 10 retail thrift store locations across Southwestern Michigan selling donated clothing, furniture, home goods, electronics, and specialty boutique items, with 92% of revenue funding community programs.
• Stevensville Boutique

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of revenue reinvested into community programs
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 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

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

• YWCA KalamazoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Partnership for the Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway program. YWCA provides training and CDA (Childcare Development Associate) training for apprentices. Program offers full-time, paid, eight-month apprenticeship resulting in employment as Early Learning Professional at Edison Children's Center.
• DellcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership through Dell Reconnect program for electronic recycling. Goodwill serves as the regional hub for e-waste recycling in Michigan. Accepts computers, printers, game consoles, and other electronics including CRT monitors (free of charge). Recycling process prevents toxic e-waste from entering environment.
• Kalamazoo Literacy CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Adult Education and Early Childhood Education apprenticeship programs. Provides tutoring support to help participants complete GED or prepare for childcare training.
• Southwest Child Care ResourcesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in the Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway, providing career pathway support for early childhood education careers.
• United Way Battle Creek KalamazoomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting Get Help at Goodwill service and broader community programs. Logo displayed on website as supporting partner.
• GoogleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for computer education classes providing educational resources and support for digital literacy training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: A national workforce development nonprofit offering job training, apprenticeships, and corporate placement for young adults. Comparable in the workforce development and life skills coaching space, particularly to the Edison apprenticeship and Job Development programs.
• Savers: The largest for-profit thrift retailer in North America, operating Value Village and Savers banners. Comparable as a direct competitor in donated-goods retail, though for-profit and operating at national scale versus Goodwill's regional nonprofit footprint.
• ERI (Electronic Recyclers International): A large national e-waste recycling company offering secure IT asset disposition and electronics recycling. Comparable to Goodwill of SWMI's Dell Reconnect-based e-waste service line, though operating at vastly greater scale and on a fee-based commercial model.
• Value Village: A national for-profit thrift chain owned by Savers. Competes head-to-head with Goodwill thrift stores for donated goods and price-sensitive shoppers in overlapping Midwest markets.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids: A direct regional Goodwill affiliate operating thrift retail, workforce development, and B2B services across West Michigan. Highly comparable in mission, business mix, and operating geography to Goodwill of Southwestern Michigan.

Others

• United Way Worldwide: A national nonprofit fundraising and grantmaking network. Comparable as a funder and community partner model, and Goodwill of SWMI's existing partner (United Way Battle Creek Kalamazoo), though United Way operates more as a pass-through than a direct service provider.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army: A large faith-based nonprofit operating thrift retail stores alongside social services (addiction recovery, housing, emergency assistance). Comparable as a diversified social enterprise with a similar donation-funded retail model.
• Goodwill Industries International: The national umbrella network of 150+ Goodwill affiliates. Comparable as the parent brand and standards body whose programs, certifications, and shared services shape how Goodwill of SWMI operates.
• Adecco Group: A global staffing and workforce solutions firm with large-scale light-industrial, logistics, and kitting services. Comparable to Goodwill's Supply Chain Solutions division as a much larger incumbent competing for similar B2B contracts.

Regional players

• Michigan Works! Association: A statewide network of workforce development agencies administering federally funded employment and training programs. Comparable in mission (employment, training, adult education) and a likely funder/partner for Goodwill of SWMI's programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goodwillswmi
• Facebookfacebook.com/goodwillswmi
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodwillswmi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goodwillswmi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Southwestern Michigan