2023 Impact Report - Final

2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

A LEGACY OF

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

EMPOWERING CHANGE:

A YEAR OF SOCIAL IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCEMENT Dear Friends of Goodwill, Sustainability was a defining theme across the globe in 2023. From renewable energy initiatives to individuals reducing waste in their homes, efforts to protect the planet and build a brighter future touched everyone. At Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, sustainability went beyond the environment as we worked to empower people, foster community well-being and safeguard resources.

Sustainability has always been central to Goodwill’s mission.

Methodist minister Edgar J. Helms founded Goodwill Industries in 1902 with a vision of renewal: hiring those society deemed “unemployable” to repair and sell used goods discarded by Boston’s affluent residents. This innovative model prevented waste, restored dignity and unleashed human potential — values that continue to guide us.

Nashville embraced this vision early, hosting the South’s first Goodwill in 1922. Over 25 years, the organization provided jobs and innovative programs, such as workshops for rubber mats and firewood production. Despite its successes, operations ceased by 1948. Our current organization was chartered in 1957, carrying forward the spirit of Goodwill’s founding.

In 2023, with your support, we served 6,850 individuals, placed 995 people into jobs and provided 25,659

education, training and employment services — all at no cost to clients. These efforts reflect our commitment to social sustainability, aligning with global goals like quality education, decent work and reducing inequalities.

Environmental sustainability also remained a priority. We diverted 26.4 million pounds of materials from landfills, including clothing, books and shoes, and recycled 2.9 million pounds of cardboard and paper pulp, saving an estimated 25,000 trees. We eliminated plastic bags in our stores and finalized plans for a free program to train solar installation technicians, launching in early 2024.

As you read this Annual Impact Report, I hope you take pride in the progress we made together. Your support drives our mission of changing lives through education, training and employment, and we are profoundly grateful for your partnership.

Thank you for joining us in empowering people, protecting the environment and creating lasting change.

Together, we’re building a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Warm regards, Matthew Bourlakas President & CEO

SUCCESS STORY

Jessica Lentz Jessica Lentz was released from prison in January after serving a fouryear sentence. It wasn’t the 40-yearold Shelbyville native’s first time behind bars, but she was determined to make it her last.

Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry referred her to Goodwill Career Solutions, where she enrolled in the nonprofit’s Construction and Weatherization Training program.

“I was just hoping I’d get the skills to do a job that paid better than minimum wage — something where I could be comfortable and not fall back into my old habits,” Jessica says.

At Goodwill, Jessica learned financial literacy, resume writing and communication skills. And skills she acquired in the Construction class — such as the use of pneumatic tools, table saws and routing machines — were exactly what she needed to land a job with a Nashville cabinetmaking company.

But Jessica also discovered a hidden talent and a potential career path.

After completing the construction course, she signed up for Goodwill’s new Introduction to Welding course.

READ MORE

I like that you are taking raw materials and turning them into something substantial. It makes me feel productive — I’m doing something I can be proud of.”

GOODWILL SERVED

6,850

LOCAL JOB SEEKERS WHO RECEIVED EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AT OUR CAREER CENTERS THROUGHOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN 2023

EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS FACED BY OUR JOB SEEKERS

1,801 Unemployed 771 Justice Involved (Persons with Criminal Backgrounds) 263 Homeless 144 Underemployed, Including Working Poor 82 Developmental Disability 257 Other Physical Disability 238 Other Disabling Condition 375 Psychiatric Disability 147 Blindness or Other Visual Impairment 42 Deafness or Hard of Hearing

Goodwill of Middle Tennessee Career Solutions centers offer free education, training and employment.

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EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES:

GOODWILL’S SOLAR INSTALLER TRAINING PROGRAM In 2023, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee focused on expanding its training programs to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in emerging industries.

Among its most exciting initiatives was the development of a Solar Installer Training Program, set to launch in January 2024. This program offers a pathway into the rapidly growing clean technology sector.

The Solar Installer Training Program was made possible through partnerships with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Nashville Electric Service, Accenture, Grid Alternatives and General Motors. It is part of the Goodwill CleanTech Accelerator, a national initiative co-designed by Goodwill Industries International and Accenture to provide clean tech training and job placement for over 7,000 individuals across the U.S.

In 2023, Goodwill and its partners developed a four-week curriculum focused on solar installation fundamentals, offering certifications in Installer Basics Training 120, OSHA 10, CPR and Construction Basics.

Training will prepare participants for realworld challenges in the solar industry.

A mobile training lab, equipped with solar technology, will bring education and awareness to communities throughout Middle Tennessee. Additionally, participants will receive employability training, covering resume writing, interview preparation and workplace skills. They will also network with employers and industry professionals during and after the course.

2023 GOODWILL

IMPACT AWARDS Each year, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee celebrates employees and Career Solutions clients who have achieved success through perseverance and the power of work as well as community partners who help advance Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment.

Nearly 600 people attended the 2023 Impact Awards, held on Oct. 26 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

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The stories of our award winners reflect the transformative power of work for individuals with barriers as well as the impact Goodwill’s local nonprofit mission is having in communities across middle and west Tennessee,” said Goodwill’s President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas. “All of this is possible thanks to the generosity of Goodwill donors and shoppers.”

Matthew Bourlakas | President and CEO Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

SUCCESS STORY

Amber Grant Amber Grant was born a go-getter.

From childhood, she did well at everything she tried. Piano: check.

Ballet: check. Art: check. By the time she was a young adult, she knew she had the drive, passion and work ethic to launch a long and successful career.

In school she studied social work, speech pathology, child development and more. She volunteered with a boys and girls club, at a homeless shelter and also worked with children and teens living with disabilities.

Her interests were wide-ranging, but they all followed a common thread: helping others.

When the time came to translate her knowledge and experience into employment, however, amber could not get employers to see her potential, instead, she found herself stuck in a cycle of “no’s.”

Employer after employer passed on her after learning about her disability.

Then she discovered Goodwill, and doors began to open.

READ MORE

I’m at a job where I love what I do and I love helping people and I totally believe in Goodwill’s mission of helping people get employed ‘cause I was there.”

2023 SENIOR MANAGEMENT Matthew Bourlakas

Beth Alexander

Christine Skold

George Carlson

Cindy Varner

Dee H. Elmi

Leisa Wamsley

Kimmra Hingher

President and CEO

Chief Financial Officer Chief Mission Officer Chief Operations Officer

Ed O’Kelley

Vice President of Information Technology

Vice President of Development Vice President of Mission Services Vice President of Donated Goods Vice President of Marketing

Mike Mott

Vice President of Human Resources

Wendy White

Vice President Finance and Accounting

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS CHAIRPERSON

Michael Madden

Executive Vice President Kirkland’s VICE CHAIRPERSON

Jeff Young

Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking FirstBank

SECRETARY

Matthew Bourlakas

Senior Partner FINN Partners TREASURER

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

Philip McGowan

Kevin Mitchell Partner TrustCore

President and CEO

Christine Skold

Chief Financial Officer

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

LEGAL COUNSEL

Christopher S. Dunn Attorney Winstead

DIRECTORS

Bryan Bean

Richard Ewing

Roy C. Jordan

Pinnacle Bank

Oracle Corporation

Northwestern Mutual

Leisa Byars

Dave Fentress

Tom Lampe

Goddard School in Hendersonville

Dollar General

Senior VP

Owner

John Chobanian

Director, Government Advisory KPMG

Support Account Director

VP of Finance

Rob Ivy CFO

Lee Company

Emily Cummings

Clay Jackson

Beth Duffield

Tractor Supply Co

Community Leader Manager, Workforce Development Turner Construction

VP, Merchandise Planning and Inventory

Wealth Management Advisor

Vice President and General Manager of Nashville Office Messer Construction

Keith Lampkin CDBG/ HOME Consultant

Rob Massie

Vice President, Information Technology Dollar General

Gabriela Moran

Arrita Summers

Scott Turner

Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

Ajax Turner, Inc.

Board Fellow

President

Cristina Oakeley

Clay Teter

Caliente Consulting, LLC

Tractor Supply Co

President

President

Retired

TRUSTEES

Beth Johnson

John Tishler

Donna Yurdin

Mercer Investment Consulting

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Credo Management Consulting

Partner

Fred T. McLaughlin

Sr. Vice President- Private Wealth

Attorney

Executive and Leadership Coach

Kathryn Thompson Partner, CEO

Thompson Research Group (TRG)

Baird

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, announced the appointment of five new members to its board of directors.

“Our directors are dedicated local community leaders with a deep commitment to Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment,” said Board Chairman Joining the board were K. Beth Duffield, Mike Madden, executive vice president director of Early Career Engagement at Kirklands. “These volunteers bring impressive skills and experience that for Ascension; Rick Ewing, director of Customer Success-Health Sciences at will help our nonprofit navigate these Oracle Corporation; Rob Ivy, chief financial challenging economic times as well as grow our mission services to meet the officer at Lee Company; Gabriela Moran, an MBA candidate at Vanderbilt University; changing needs of people across middle and Scott Turner, president of Ajax Turner. and west Tennessee.”

The three-year term for new board members began Jan. 1, 2023.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT (REVENUE) Sale of Donated Goods

Sale of Land, Buildings & Equipment

Grants Received

Increase in Investments

United Way Support

Investment Income

Contributions & Other

Total:

$94,904,570

$18,560

$3,011,845

$2,172,000

$34,500

$1,347,574

$1,468,262

$102,957,311 Chart Title

Sal e of Donated Goods

Grants Received

United Way Support

Contributions & Other

Sal e of Land, Buildings & Equi pment

Increase in Investments

Investment Income

RETURNS TO THE COMMUNITY (EXPENSES) Chart Title

Operating Expenses

$134,549,629 General and Administrative

$9,171,137 Fundraising

$540,505 Mission Services

$8,610,690 Total:

$152,871,961 Operating Expenses

General and Administrative

Fundraising

Mission Services

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