Celebrating the Heart of Goodwill
Annual Report 2023
Farewell from our CEO
With a blend of pride and emotion, I share my final annual report message. Leading as President and CEO for the past six-plus years has been the highlight of my career. As I approach my retirement on December 31, 2024, I reflect on the remarkable 16 years spent with Goodwill.
It has been a privilege to work alongside this dynamic and compassionate group of individuals. Witnessing our mission in action has been a humbling experience. The collective efforts and dedication of our team have truly made a positive impact in Greater Grand Rapids. However, there is still work to be done.
As I transition into retirement, I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for contributing to the success and meaningful work of Goodwill. The memories created and milestones achieved will forever hold a special place in my heart. I have full confidence that the next chapter of Goodwill is poised for even greater success.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of being part of this incredible journey.
R. Scott Dillard
President/CEO
A Farewell to our CEO
Dear Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids Community, Scott Dillard, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire on December 31, 2024. Scott has given us nearly 16 years of outstanding service, compassion, and stewardship. Since Scott stepped into the role in 2018 and under his leadership, we have reaffirmed our commitment to our mission, established financial sustainability, and continued to develop a talented and dedicated leadership team for the future. Among his many achievements, Scott successfully guided our policies on real estate, capital, and investments to provide a solid position for the organization to thrive and accomplish our mission. The organization expanded its mission, including from within, by revamping how Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids prepares its own retail workforce for success both inside Goodwill and as they move on. In the community, the mission has expanded to include new initiatives and services alongside extended operational hours and broadening the scope of individuals served in the community.
We, on the Board of Directors, thank Scott for his guidance and passion for our mission. He was the right leader for our organization at an important inflection point in our journey. Please join me in wishing Scott well in his retirement. Thank you, Scott, on behalf of all of us, for your diligence in strengthening the organization and preparing Goodwill to be ready for the future to amplify both the mission and its impact on our local community.
Jennifer Greenop
Chair of the Board of Directors
Creating Goodwill Through Art
All Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids employees were invited to participate in an art contest to showcase our staff’s creative abilities.
The theme of this art contest is “Goodwill.” Through their art, we encouraged participants to explore and express their interpretations of Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids through their art. This can come in many forms through literal or figurative interpretations of our stores, programs, values, sustainability efforts, and more.
Myah, who works at the Michigan Street Store for Goodwill since August 2023, recently took first place in the competition with her unique art. She loves making art in her free time and decided to blend that love with her job at Goodwill for this project. She created a mascot named “Will,” a happy character who shows off the different jobs and the good vibes at Goodwill. Leah used a tablet and computer to draw her digital masterpiece, which captures the spirit of Goodwill through “Will,” doing various jobs and spreading positivity. Her artwork beautifully shows what Goodwill is all about, making her a standout in the competition.
Myah Lago
First Place
Leah, a cashier at Goodwill and a graphic design student at Kendall College, has been with the organization for a year and a half. Her competition entry, inspired by the diverse shoppers at Goodwill, took a customer-focused viewpoint, showcasing the store as a place where everyone can find something they love. Starting with traditional sketches and then moving to digital art, Leah’s piece highlights the variety and inclusivity of Goodwill, earning her a well-deserved second place. Her artwork beautifully captures the essence of Goodwill as a treasure trove for shoppers from all walks of life.
Leah Perreault
Second Place
Leah, a cashier at Goodwill and a graphic design student at Kendall College, has been with the organization for a year and a half. Her competition entry, inspired by the diverse shoppers at Goodwill, took a customer-focused viewpoint, showcasing the store as a place where everyone can find something they love. Starting with traditional sketches and then moving to digital art, Leah’s piece highlights the variety and inclusivity of Goodwill, earning her a well-deserved second place. Her artwork beautifully captures the essence of Goodwill as a treasure trove for shoppers from all walks of life.
Leah Perreault
Second Place
Jose, who has been with Goodwill for four years, excels in a variety of roles, from sorting to operating. His passion for art, fueled by the items he encounters at work, inspired him to create an artwork based on an “Eye Spy” book. He enjoys drawing everything he sees, aiming to showcase variety, which is why he included cleaning supplies in his piece. Jose’s art reflects his ability to find inspiration in the everyday, turning ordinary objects into a captivating visual exploration.
Jose Castro
Third Place
Employee Education Benefits Breakdown
94% of those who used this benefit were from donated goods and retail
3% were from Workforce Development
3% were from Administration
66 employees used this benefit
11 people graduated this year
4 Certificates
3 Associates degrees
3 Bachelor’s degrees
1 Master’s degree
17 employees completed the onsite workplace English program
3,228
hours of study time
$49,752
spent on paid study time
$107,829
spent on tuition
496
employees served through BluePRINT
Our Programs at a Glance
Our Stories
Rich’s Success Story
Listen to Rich as he recounts how his journey with the Goodwill Visions program led him to a rewarding position aiding others at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
Alex’s Success Story
Alex’s Success Story
Who did our programs serve?
Where did they find jobs?
This year we introduced two new programs to enhance our mission.
PathFINDERS
PathFINDERS is a dynamic employment program tailored for young individuals aged 16 to 25 in Kent County, aimed at breaking down barriers to career and educational success. Recognizing the diverse challenges faced by this age group, PathFINDERS offers a personalized approach, providing mentorship and coaching to foster personal growth and create pathways to thrive. Participants benefit from one-on-one career coaching, goal-setting guidance, career planning, job placement, and retention strategies. The program also includes workshops to enhance life and employability skills, opportunities for job shadows, work experiences (both paid and unpaid), tours of colleges and workplaces, and access to vocational training.
Strides
Launched in 2023, Goodwill’s Strides program is an initiative dedicated to aiding adults who are navigating the complexities of mental health challenges and co-occurring disorders. Strides extends personalized support, focusing on the exploration of career interests, job acquisition, and employment retention. This program is distinctive for its collaborative approach, with Strides coaches working in tandem with each participant’s Community Mental Health team to deliver integrated and comprehensive support. Additionally, the program’s operations are bolstered through a funding partnership with Network 180, ensuring a solid foundation for its services.
Strides
Launched in 2023, Goodwill’s Strides program is an initiative dedicated to aiding adults who are navigating the complexities of mental health challenges and co-occurring disorders. Strides extends personalized support, focusing on the exploration of career interests, job acquisition, and employment retention. This program is distinctive for its collaborative approach, with Strides coaches working in tandem with each participant’s Community Mental Health team to deliver integrated and comprehensive support. Additionally, the program’s operations are bolstered through a funding partnership with Network 180, ensuring a solid foundation for its services.
Our Sustainability Efforts in Numbers
In 2023, we received over 25.61 million pounds of donations.
Through our retail stores and recycling efforts, we diverted 18.85 million pounds from landfills.
This means over 73% of all donated materials have either found a new home or have been recycled.
Store Remodel
Lowell
Partnerships are Powerful
HexArmor
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids has been working with HexArmor for over a decade, helping to provide job placement and training support for individuals in Goodwill’s programs. Through this partnership, we support our participants with job readiness, such as resume preparation and mock interviews, ultimately giving them a stepping stone to meaningful employment.
HexArmor
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids has been working with HexArmor for over a decade, helping to provide job placement and training support for individuals in Goodwill’s programs. Through this partnership, we support our participants with job readiness, such as resume preparation and mock interviews, ultimately giving them a stepping stone to meaningful employment.
Balance Sheet
Years
Assets
Liabilities
Net Assets
2022
30,878,541
12,614,524
18,264,017
2023
36,132,517
15,790,371
20,342,146
Revenue and Gains
Years
Retail and Salvage Sales
Grants and Fees for Services
Community Support
Administrative and Other
Total Revenue and Gains
2022
33,103,222
1,150,737
9,558,904
(498,170)
43,314,693
2023
33,863,786
861,836
9,492,947
1,412,049
45,630,618
Expenses
Years
Program Expenses
General and Administrative
Total Expenses
2022
38,012,486
4,108,140
42,120,626
2023
38,987,404
4,565,085
43,552,489
Decades of Achievement
1967
Revenue: $231,175
Expense: $208,744
Stores: 1
1980
Revenue: 982,767
Expenses: 1,012,742
Stores: 1
2000
Revenue: 13,531,662
Expenses: 13,263,692
Stores: 10
2020
Revenue: 28,951,967
Expenses: 25,320,976
Stores: 17
1970
Revenue: $414,050
Expenses: $395, 814
Stores: 1
1990
Revenue: 3,153,301
Expenses: 3,131,179
Stores: 4
2010
Revenue: 23,204,651
Expenses: 22,862,510
Stores: 14
2024-B
Revenue: 36,601,000
Expenses: 34,672,000
Stores:17
Let’s Get Social
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Changing lives and communities through the power of work.
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