Frequently Asked Questions
Facts About Southern Oregon Goodwill
Goodwill is a leading social services enterprise, locally and nationally.
Since 1977, Southern Oregon Goodwill has been helping people who have disabilities, live in poverty, or have other barriers to employment. Along the way, we’ve heard and answered quite a few questions from the community about how we operate. Here, we hope to give you the information you’re looking for so you can make an informed choice to support our Southern Oregon Goodwill mission.
Is Goodwill a nonprofit Organization?
Yes! Southern Oregon Goodwill is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Nationwide, Goodwill has an A grade by CharityWatch.org and was named 10th on the list of “America’s Top Charities 2020” by Forbes Magazine.
We’ve also reached the Gold-level of participation in the GuideStar Exchange for our demonstrated commitment to transparency. GuideStar USA is a premier source of nonprofit information, and collects, organizes, and publishes info on the programs, finances, and impact of more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofits. Gold is the most elite level of the organization’s transparency program.
Southern Oregon Goodwill is also fully accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF accreditation indicates that our organization operates following industry best practices that support optimal outcomes for the individuals we serve.
Does anyone “own” Goodwill?
As nonprofit organizations, neither Goodwill Industries International nor any of the 161 independent Goodwill agencies internationally are “owned” by anyone. Steve Preston is the current President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International and reports to a volunteer Board of Directors. Shae Johns is our local Southern Oregon Goodwill President and CEO, and she reports to a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of local and regional business leaders.
What is your President/CEO’s Salary?
Southern Oregon Goodwill’s Board of Directors sets the salary and compensation for our CEO and reviews this compensation within the context of the organization’s revenues, service to people, and overall impact on the community.
Shae Johns has been with our organization for more than 10 years, serving as President and CEO since 2014. Shae graduated from South Medford High School, has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver, and has spent more than a decade helping people with disadvantages reach their full potential through the services provided by Southern Oregon Goodwill.
Is Shae making millions of dollars a year? No, but she is fairly compensated for someone with a great deal of experience and the responsibility of managing an $18-million operation with hundreds of employees, and ensuring Southern Oregon Goodwill fulfills its mission. The IRS dictates that all non-profit organizations file a Form 990, which lists top staff salaries and is publicly available.
What is Southern Oregon Goodwill’s mission?
Southern Oregon Goodwill’s mission is to enable employment by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. We fund this mission through the sale of gently-used goods that have been donated by our incredibly generous community.
Goodwill is one of Southern Oregon’s biggest recyclers. Our eco-friendly business model to reduce, reuse, and recycle keeps millions of pounds of unwanted items out of landfills each year. Our hybrid social enterprise puts your donation to work in amazing ways, with amazing results for people and the planet. Read more about our Impact.
How much revenue goes toward the mission?
Here in Southern Oregon, approximately 86% of the revenue we earn ($0.86 of every dollar) is spent on our mission of job training and workforce development. This is a very healthy number in the nonprofit world, and indicates Southern Oregon Goodwill’s commitment to fiscally responsible stewardship of your donations, the value they represent, and the services funded by them.
How do you determine pricing in your stores?
We fund our mission through the sale of donated items, so we have a responsibility to our donors, as well as those we serve through our employment services, to get as much value from each donation as possible. We strive to price items fairly and competitively based on condition, brand name, and market value.
Does Goodwill pay employees at least minimum wage?
Yes! All employees of Southern Oregon Goodwill earn at least $14 an hour, even in “nonurban counties” where the minimum wage is less than that. In addition, Southern Oregon Goodwill no longer participates in a Commensurate Wage training program that pays people with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage while they are gaining new skills (which is allowed under the Fair Labor Standards Act section 14(c)).
Does Goodwill offer discounts for seniors and veterans?
Yes! Seniors (55 and older) and veterans get a 10% discount every day. Please ask at the register. One discount per purchase, per customer. Discounts cannot be combined with coupons or other offers and are not valid on new goods. Find a store location.
Is Goodwill a religious organization?
No. Goodwill Industries was founded by a Methodist minister, Rev. Edgar J. Helms, in 1902 — but is no longer considered a religious organization.
Who can use Southern Oregon Goodwill’s job services?
The staff and resources at our Job Connection Centers offer services to anyone needing assistance entering the workforce. Services include job search assistance, resume writing, online job application submittals, interview skills, securing appropriate identification needed for work, and connections to other local resources.
Additionally, our GoodWorks (paid) intern program provides more intensive services and supports for individuals facing challenging life circumstances and other barriers to employment.