2023
Our Social Enterprise
Donated Goods Retail
Temporary & Permanent
Staffing Services
GSG Talent Solutions
Commercial Services
• Custodial Services
• Packaging & Fulfillment
• Call Centers
• Document Management
• Facility Maintenance
• Landscaping
Private Donations & Grants
State & Federal Grants
Disciplined allocation of funds in support of our mission services
Employment
Readiness & Support
Workforce Advancement
Educate & Advance
The Goodwill Career & Technical Academy
The Goodwill Excel Center
Transform Generations
Employment & Placement • Skilled & Elevated Employment
Transforming lives through the power of education and work.
We envision a Central Texas where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
BE CARING about our team, those we serve, and our community.
BE INNOVATIVE to advance our mission and protect our environment.
BE ACCOUNTABLE to deliver on our promises.
Executive Summary
2023 was a year of organizational alignment, self-appraisal, and evolution for Goodwill Central Texas. As an organization that exists to serve the members of our community, we want to continually evaluate our approach and make sure we are doing everything we can to support our clients and make a positive impact.
That’s why we evaluated and honed our mission, vision, and values this year. Our simplified mission, “Transforming lives through the power of education and work,” is more than just a motto. It’s the driving force behind everything we do. As our clients continue to navigate the tricky post-pandemic employment landscape, we strive to innovate our offerings and give each individual the tools they need to succeed.
The efforts and achievements outlined in this report all reflect our values:
• Be caring
• Be innovative
• Be accountable
And the work has just begun. We are already well underway with some exciting additions that we can’t wait to share with the community in 2024!
2023 Highlights
Received 1.5 million goods donations
Diverted 93 million pounds from local landfills
Recycled 1 million pounds of electronics
Raised $1.7 million from philanthropy in support of our mission programs
Generated $228 million in revenue
The Excel Center adult high school served 2,845 students across six Texas campuses.
This year, 360 Excel Center students earned a diploma.
The Goodwill Career & Technical Academy awarded 235 certificates in 2023.
A total of 261 people were served and placed in jobs at an average wage of $18.05.
Total number of Central Texans served this year: 10,184
Workforce Advancement served 7,524 clients
Of this total, 2,640 people were placed in jobs with 1,135 placements with an average pay of $22.34/hr.
35+ stores in Central Texas
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
OVERALL FINANCIALS
Program Services
$205,790,119 Support for Programs
$22,055,238 Fundraising $563,311
Total Expenses & Community Reinvestment $228,408,668
Our Commitment to Sustainability
With a retail model of repurposing and recycling donated goods that would have otherwise gone to a landfill, Goodwill has always been at the forefront of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” movement.
For example, in 2004 we partnered with Dell Technologies to pioneer the Dell Reconnect program that ensures consumers and small businesses have convenient, responsible ways of handling e-waste.
For the past 20 years, this program has spread to other Goodwills and non profits throughout the country. Today, Dell Technologies partners with 72 Goodwills nationwide to provide this free resource in 44 states.
We are proud to be Dell Reconnect's number one electronics recycler in 2023, keeping a whopping 1,026,731 pounds of electronics, toxic chemicals, and non-biodegradable materials out of our Central Texas landfills!
Furthermore, approximately 77% of all donations received by Goodwill Central Texas are kept out of landfills. In 2023 alone, we diverted a staggering 93 million pounds from local landfills.
This commitment to sustainability is also evident in our day-to-day practices. For example, we’ve worked to shorten the wording on our receipts, so they don’t use as much paper and ink.
Our Dedication to Diversity
The Culture and Engagement team has spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan. This initiative is instrumental in cultivating an organizational culture that not only reflects but actively supports the diverse demographics within our community. By holding ourselves accountable to tangible actions rather than mere rhetoric, we are committed to authentically embodying our values.
Central to our efforts are Employee Resource Groups. ERGs are vital internal networks where team members with shared interests converge to foster a sense of belonging and engage in dialogues pertinent to our organizational impact. These groups are dedicated to the needs of LGBTQIA+, female, Black and African American, young professional, Veteran, Indigenous and Hispanic, and differently abled team members, and serve as platforms for meaningful conversations and collective empowerment.
Moreover, our Diversity Council, comprised of representatives from various segments of our workforce, acts as an advisory body, offering valuable insights to enhance our culture's accessibility and inclusivity. Looking ahead to 2024, our aspiration is to extend outreach efforts, particularly in our stores, by leveraging innovative approaches such as trivia activities and community engagement initiatives like cultural walks.
Our Innovative Programs
The Goodwill Excel Center
The Goodwill Excel Center Adult High School is the first free public high school in Texas where adults ages 18 to 50 can earn their high school diploma and complete training for a high-demand career. Providing tuition-free, personalized learning, and whole-person support, The Excel Center is unlike previous environments adult learners may have experienced. Our classrooms and curriculum are built for adults, and our teachers and coaches care about developing students holistically. We want students to be successful at school and beyond. Our support systems enable individuals to overcome challenges while on their academic journey and beyond.
With two Community Campuses in Austin and five Justice Education Campuses at correctional centers throughout Texas, The Excel Center transforms lives in a supportive and holistic learning environment where all students are empowered to achieve.
When you shop or donate at Goodwill, 89 cents of every dollar goes directly to funding programs and services for Central Texans in need.
The Exploration Center
In Travis County, the high cost of childcare creates barriers for many families. The Goodwill Exploration Center was created in 2014 to address these challenges by offering subsidized childcare services, especially for low-income families, ensuring every child has access to early education. Now a Texas Rising Star 4-Star Provider and Success By 6/ Austin ISD Collaboration Partner, The Exploration Center instructs a pre-K curriculum to ensure kindergarten readiness for all pupils.
In addition, the Goodwill Exploration Center conveniently offers a fulltime schedule, which is helpful for busy working parents who want their children to have the best when they need to be apart. Children at the Goodwill Exploration Center also benefit from the full-time schedule, as the dedicated time to be amongst their peers promotes growth and development and stimulates creativity and learning.
For over 65 years, we have offered a comprehensive range of free educational and support programs for individuals of all backgrounds.
The Goodwill Career & Technical Academy
The Goodwill Career & Technical Academy (GCTA) offers accelerated career training designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to secure a job with competitive wages, stability, and growth opportunities. We prepare students to earn an industry-recognized job certification credential and then connect them with employers in their new career field of study.
The GCTA Team provides training and support services at little to no cost to students who qualify. We currently offer a variety of professional certification tracks, including:
• Healthcare
• Professional and business
• Skilled trades
We offer both day and evening classes, allowing flexibility to balance obligations outside of the classroom. All students receive dedicated oneon-one career guidance from a career case manager. We also provide job-readiness training to prepare graduates for the workplace and job-placement assistance.
We are committed to transforming lives through education and career training. We envision a Central Texas where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Workforce Advancement
Our Workforce Advancement team provides full career support through one-on-one career case management. From education and skill development to job search and resume editing, we can help with every facet of a job seeker's career journey. We focus on helping clients acquire skills and successful work habits that lead to long-term employment and success in a variety of in-demand careers.
We also offer several programs targeted at specific underserved populations, such as young adults who lack opportunity, individuals with disabilities, parents, veterans, and justice-involved individuals. Our career case managers review client’s holistic needs to ensure they get the most out of our programs.
We also believe that in today’s digital age, access to technology isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. The availability and usability of technology and internet resources and the skills and opportunities to use these resources effectively are at the core of our digital access and inclusion programs.
