Vision

Our vision is that every person has the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive in all aspects of life.

Mission

To achieve our vision, we are committed to dismantling racism and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion so we can help people reach their fullest potential through education, job placement, and career pathway services.

We do our work with great gratitude for the community donations, purchases, and partnerships that make our mission possible.

Serving 15 Washington Counties

Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region, which spans 15 counties in the state of Washington, operates and serves on the traditional and ancestral lands of many American Indian Tribes. Centuries of systemic oppression have dispossessed indigenous people of their lands and their rights to self-determination.

We recognize, respect, and give appreciation and gratitude to the people of these tribes, who have stewarded these lands throughout the generations, despite the many injustices they have faced and continue to face today: the Chehalis Tribe, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Hoh Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallum Tribe, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Quileute Tribe, the Quinault Indian Nation, the Skokomish Indian Tribe, the Squaxin Island Tribe, and the Yakama Nation.

How We Do It

Community donations and purchases allow Goodwill to provide free education and job training services to people in need so they can get jobs, build careers and start new lives. 

4266

people
Last year we served 4,266 people with a full range of free education, job placement, and career pathway services.

92.5

percent
92.5% of Goodwill expenses supported retail and mission programs and services last year.

44.6

million lbs
We received 55 million pounds of donated goods, of which 80% was sold or recycled – saving 44 million pounds of waste from going to landfills last year.

History

In 1902, Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister, founded Goodwill in Boston. When he faced a group who asked him for help getting food and clothes, Helms took a burlap bag and went to Boston’s wealthy citizens. Instead of asking for money, he asked for whatever clothing they could spare. The Goodwill store was born when Helms hired people in need – many of whom were considered unemployable – to repair damaged items and sell the donated goods.

“A hand up, not a hand out” was his motto. Helms opened Goodwill’s doors to anyone with a “willingness to work” and became the pioneer of an organization that gave people hope, dignity and independence by providing them with the means to earn a paycheck and support their families.

His social innovation set in motion a worldwide movement – Goodwill Industries – that has touched millions over the course of the past century.

Growing to Meet Service Needs

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    It was on April 19, 1922 Goodwill Industries filed formal articles of incorporation to operate as a nonprofit organization in Tacoma. The agency located in the old Central Methodist Church.

Goodwill Tacoma Files Articles of Incorporation

1922

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    In 1932, its first dedicated structure was built at 356 Tacoma Ave. S.

Goodwill Tacoma Acquires Its First Dedicated Structure

1932

1920

Goodwill Tacoma Operation Begins

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    In Tacoma, Rev. H.W. Michener – another young Methodist minister, one who had known Goodwill founder Rev. Helms – talked constantly about a Goodwill Industries for Tacoma. In October of 1920, the ladies of Michener’s church handed him some leftover materials from a rummage sale and suggested he get started.

1930

Goodwill Tacoma Grows to Need Larger Facilities

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    During the 1930s, Goodwill Industries became known as the most outstanding philanthropic movement of its time. Goodwill grew so quickly that on five different occasions it was required to seek larger quarters.

1952

Goodwill Tacoma Establishes Branch Operations in Yakima

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    On Aug. 28, 1952, Goodwill Industries established its first branch operations, setting up a small retail store in Yakima.

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    Goodwill continued to grow. A new building was constructed, and in 1965, the industrial operations and administration offices moved to 714 S. 27th St.

Goodwill opens new headquarters at 714 S 27th St.

1965

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    In September 2009, Goodwill held a public dedication for its new Milgard Work Opportunity Center. The 63,000-square-foot facility is a LEED Gold building with five times the classroom space of the previous facility, a Distance Learning Theater and the REACH Center.

Milgard Work Opportunity Center Dedication Ceremony

2009

1962

Goodwill Tacoma Expands to Longview

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    Goodwill expanded in June of 1962, setting up a small workshop and retail outlet in Longview.

2003

Goodwill Tacoma Goes Online

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    In 2003, Goodwill began selling items online, through Shopgoodwill.com, E-Bay and Amazon.

2014

Rebranded to Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region

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    In 2014, Tacoma Goodwill became Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region to reflect the 15 county area we serve in Western and Central Washington.

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    In 2016, Goodwill placed a record 3,200 people in jobs throughout the community.

Goodwill WA Places 3,200 People in Jobs

2016

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    In 2019, Goodwill introduced refreshed vision and mission statements.

Goodwill WA Redefines Organization's Vision and Mission

2019

2015

Goodwill WA Opens Union Gap with Modern Redesign

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    In November of 2015, a new Goodwill store opened in Union Gap. This is the first store to feature a brand new modern design to improve the customer shopping experience.

2019

New Workforce Development Center in Union Gap

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    In April of 2019, Goodwill opened a new Workforce Development Center in Union Gap — the first job training center to be co-located in a Goodwill retail store.

2022

Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainer Region Centennial

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    Crossing the threshold into the 2nd century of serving our community