Welcome to Goodwill Manasota - Your donations change lives.

Meet Goodwill

Is Goodwill a business or a charity?
We're a charity that runs a business. Goodwill is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that funds its social service programs through revenues generated by its donated goods business.
Are all Goodwills around the country the same?
Yes and no. Goodwill is an association of more than 170 autonomous member organizations, each governed by a local board of directors. Every Goodwill adheres to common practices governing ethics, fiscal responsibility and the like. At the same time, every Goodwill organization is designed to respond to the local needs of the communities it serves.
What happens to my donations?
We sort, price and sell your donations in our stores. Ultimately, we turn your donations into good jobs, good homes, and good neighborhoods. For more information, go to our services page.
What happens to the stuff that doesn't sell?
Donations that don't sell in our stores go to one of our two Bargain Barns where they're sold by the pound. After that, remaining items are sold to salvage merchants who ship the material to third-world countries. Goodwill provides a valuable recycling service to our community. We receive more than 500,000 donations every year and divert over 13 million pounds of goods away from local landfills.
Do you repair items I donate?
No. Nowadays, the cost of repairing items greatly exceeds the price we charge in our stores. At one time, this activity represented a training program for people seeking employment. Current employer demands have rendered that activity obsolete.
Why does Goodwill refuse to accept certain items?
We are unable to resell certain items and in some cases incur excessive costs to dispose of them per EPA-mandated guidelines (open cans of paint, non-working computers and TV monitors, for example). Also, we have neither the specialized equipment nor the staff expertise required to handle large appliances, building materials, etc.
Do you accept cars?
Yes. We also accept boats, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes and any other item with a title. Simply drop your vehicle at your nearest Goodwill or call us at 487-3566 to arrange for a free pickup.
Will you pick up my donations?
Yes. Our Home Pickup division operates six days a week. Just call us at 351-8946 to schedule a time that's convenient for you.
Will my contribution stay in our area?
Yes. Contributions of goods and money made to Goodwill support programs and services provided by Goodwill Industries-Manasota in Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee and DeSoto counties.
How many people do you help a year?
We serve more than 3,500 people a year. For more information see our services page or our fact sheet page.
Does Goodwill only provide services to people with disabilities?
No. We serve people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, including former welfare recipients, single mothers, recent immigrants, high school dropouts and individuals with a history of chronic unemployment, incarceration or substance abuse.
Do you charge for your services?
No. All of our services are offered free of charge.
Why are your facilities located on some of the most valuable real estate in our area?
We focus on donor convenience. In 1997, we received a federal welfare-to-work grant that enabled us to purchase these buildings, greatly increasing donor convenience.
Are the people who staff your facilities volunteers?
No. They are employees. An important component of our mission is to provide employment opportunities.
Why do you charge for stuff you get for free?
We incur many expenses while collecting, transporting, sorting and selling donated goods. They include salaries and benefits, utility bills, and gas and tires for our vehicles. And we utilize the revenues generated by our stores to fund a wide array of local services.
Why do you have a foundation?
The Goodwill Foundation was established to fund current services at a deeper level and to guarantee future Goodwill services. The Foundation attracts philanthropic dollars -- cash, stocks and bonds, charitable estate bequests and trusts, real estate and other planned gifts -- which come back to our community in the form of bigger and better social services.