Yes, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Our mission is to change lives through the power of work by helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs. We serve West Michigan through our 17 retail store locations, donation centers, sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and support services.

Where and how to donate:
All of our retail store locations accept donations. Our donation drive-thrus are staffed seven days a week at our stores. We currently do not offer a general pickup service for donations. We also have a stand-alone donation center in Ferrysburg. To find a location nearest you, visit our donate page.

What happens to donations and why does it matter?
Donated items are carefully evaluated and sold to generate revenue that funds our Programs and Services, which help community members overcome employment barriers, gain job training, and advance their careers.

We gladly accept new and gently used items:

• Clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories
• Books, CDs, DVDs, records, video games, games, toys
• Glass and housewares, linens and rugs
• Artwork, sports equipment, musical instruments
• Furniture in good condition
• Working tvs, stereos, radios, VCRs
• Computers (working and non-working)
• Boats and trailers, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles

Click here to view the full list of items we can accept.

Items that are broken, soiled, or hazardous are not accepted. Due to safety recalls and regulations, we cannot accept cribs, car seats, mattresses, and large appliances. Click here to view the full list of items we cannot accept.

Yes, donations made to Goodwill Industries of West Michigan are tax-deductible provided you meet the standard IRS requirements for charitable deductions.

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization. If you are donating used or gently used items, you may itemize your deductions on your federal tax return and you are entitled to claim a deduction for your donations to Goodwill. Federal law provides that donated clothing and household items must be in “good used condition or better” in order to receive a tax deduction.

Items that don’t sell at our retail stores are sent to our Retail Outlet Center to be sold by the pound and given a second chance. Items that don’t sell at our Retail Outlet Center are recycled whenever possible—or as a last resort, sent to salvage markets. We are committed to keeping as many donated items as possible out of landfills and waste streams.

Revenue from our retail stores directly supports a wide range of life-changing programs and services. These include vocational certification through our THRIVE Academy, skills training in digital literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), financial literacy, and GED or high school diploma completion. Goodwill also offers Justice Involved Programming (JIP), Supported Transitional Employment Programming (STEP), and Janitorial Occupational Training (JOT). Additional services include on-site child care, GoodTemps staffing solutions, housing assistance, Renting with Confidence classes, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

No. People need work more than anything, and Goodwill Industries of West Michigan serves people by educating, training, and placing them into meaningful and sustaining employment. The store revenue supports our mission by funding our programs and services.

You may call 231.722.7871, ext. 1012 to speak with our Retail District Manager.

Yes. Goodwill Industries International (GII) is an umbrella organization that supports more than 150 Goodwills in the United States and Canada. GII does not run the retail stores in each region. Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is a local, independent, not-for-profit organization that is a member of the Goodwill Industries International network, operating in West Michigan with its own CEO, governance, operations, and localized mission-services.

Goodwill relies on generous volunteers to support our mission. As a Goodwill volunteer, you can contribute directly to our mission of changing lives through the power of work by assisting with tax preparation, providing child care for program participant families, helping in our retail stores, supporting Goodwill events within the community, and other rewarding opportunities that utilize your communication, organization, or customer service skills to make a positive impact on our community.

Click here for more information.