Answering your questions about Goodwill Gulf Coast.
Yes, Goodwill Gulf Coast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We operate with a mission-driven focus that centers on helping individuals build employment skills, find jobs, and grow in their careers. We also provide an array of support programs for children, youth, and families in need.
As a non-profit organization, Goodwill Gulf Coast does not have an owner and is run by a volunteer board of directors consisting of community leaders. As with all local Goodwill organizations, Goodwill Gulf Coast has its own President/CEO who reports to the board.
Yes, we are a member of the national nonprofit network with affiliates in 14 countries including 155+ Goodwill organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Each Goodwill organization has its own local leadership, operations, and programs to help serve people in need.
We allocate 89 cents of every dollar earned through donated goods to fund our programs and services. By shopping at our stores and making purchases, you are directly contributing to our mission of empowering individuals to build better futures for themselves and their families.
While we serve a 10-county region in Alabama and Florida and most of the individuals we serve reside in those counties, anyone in need of our programs and services has access. We provide equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their county or state of residence.
We embrace diversity and foster inclusivity among our staff and those served by our programs. Our hiring practices prioritize creating a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We also provide equal opportunities for all individuals to access our programs.
Yes, Goodwill Gulf Coast hosts H2O (Hope to Opportunity) tours on a regular basis to learn more about our programs, meet some of the people we serve, and get a look at our facilities. Call (251) 380-7184 or email SWarren@GoodwillGC.org to join one of our upcoming tours.
In all of our stores, new merchandise is placed on our sales floor multiple times every day. We receive thousands of donations each week and process them as quickly as possible in order to make them available for purchase. No matter when you visit, fresh inventory is on the floor.
All clothing can be returned for store credit within 7 days with a receipt (excluding any “color sale” items purchased during weekend sales). All electrical items can be returned for a full refund within 7 days of purchase with a receipt (again, excluding any “color sale” items).
Yes, ShopGoodwill.com/Mobile is our online shopping destination that features collectible and high-value items for purchase! ShopGoodwill.com offers items listed by Goodwill and is the first ecommerce auction platform created, owned, and operated by nonprofit organizations.
All available ornaments can be purchased at our online store here. During the holidays, you can purchase our new ornaments in-person at our Goodwill Gulf Coast retail stores and at select vendors in the Mobile County and Baldwin County, AL and Pensacola, FL areas.
We encourage you to make a wise choice when deciding where to donate. Not all thrift stores in the area are non-profit organizations that benefit people in our area. When you donate to us, your donation will go directly toward helping people in need in the communities we serve.
Goodwill Gulf Coast does not offer a home or business pick-up service for donated items due to expense and liability issues. All items must be dropped off at a retail store or donation center.
After donating your items, the donation attendant will provide you with a donation receipt that you can use for tax purposes. If you lose your receipt, please contact the location where you dropped off your items within 24 hours to receive a replacement donation receipt.
If you find that you made a donation in error, please contact the location where the donation was made. While we can’t guarantee recovery, we will make every effort to help. However, donations are often processed for sale the same day they’re donated and sold items cannot be recovered.
Yes, donations made to Goodwill Gulf Coast are tax-deductible because we are a nonprofit organization. When you drop off your items, you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Please consult with a certified tax service to determine the actual value of your donations.
Our goal is to be good stewards of your generosity. If items do not sell in our retail stores, they are sent to one of our outlet stores to sell at discounted prices. From there, remaining unsold items are recycled or sold to salvage brokers to keep them from ending up in a local landfill.
All available job openings can be viewed here. Click on the position that interests you, create an account if you haven’t applied before, and submit your application online. Be sure to provide an active email address as all correspondence involving applications will be sent via email.
If you’re trying to view our job postings on a Wednesday, you won’t find any listed because our open positions are updated on that day. Check back on Thursday to see the current job listings. Please be sure to apply before the posted closing date to be considered for the position.
The online application process will “time out” after 60 minutes. If you don’t complete your job application in that timeframe, you’ll need to log back into your application to complete it.
If a particular field in the online application has an asterisk (*) next to it, you must fill it out to continue because it’s a required field. If you don’t complete it, you can’t move forward. Also, be sure to acknowledge the signature box on the last screen in order to complete your application.
No, you need to complete an application for each position you apply for. You can attach your resume but the application itself must be fully completed and acknowledged to be considered.
Yes, on the Indeed website, you can click the “apply now” button on any of our postings. The link will take you to our website to complete the online application for that job opening.
Yes, if you need assistance, please call (251) 300-6278 and ask to speak with a Career Navigator for help with completing an employment application or email HRT@goodwill.org.
All status updates will be provided through the email address or phone number listed on your job application. If you’re selected for the next step in the process, a hiring manager will contact you. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide individual updates.
We love having our volunteers do meaningful work that helps our community! Opportunities include tutoring at all levels, sorting children’s books, preparing medical equipment, recreation for adults with disabilities, and group projects. Check out our current volunteer opportunities and sign up on our website here or on United Way of Southwest Alabama’s website here.
Our retail stores are our most visible asset! However, there are a few reasons why we don’t assign volunteers to our stores, most significantly because we need volunteers to help us with our programs and services, directly impacting people who need help now. We do have volunteers work in our Opportunity Centers (which are located adjacent to our retail stores).
Yes, Goodwill Gulf Coast gives individuals an opportunity to complete their assigned hours, then communicates with your agency contact to verify your hours have been completed. Please call Lydia Gaudet, Mission Development Manager, at: (251) 380-7150 or LGaudet@goodwillgc.org.
Yes, Goodwill’s programs are available to everyone who needs assistance including individuals with obstacles to employment, with physical or intellectual disabilities, with limited education or language barriers; with a criminal background; and dependent on public assistance.
While some of our programs have eligibility requirements, all of our programs and services are available to the general public and almost all are provided free-of-charge. Some certification programs have costs associated with the testing process but funding for that may be available.
The first step is to complete the online form (using either the “Request Information” or “Enroll Now” links) and provide your basic information. Once your online form has been submitted, our staff will reach out to you to complete the intake process.
If you are interested in moving forward but aren’t sure about the “next steps”, our Career Navigators can provide a career assessment and help you establish a learning plan. Once enrolled, they also will work with you individually to help you reach your employment goals.
Opportunity Centers are educational facilities inside certain retail stores where you can participate in our programs and services, such as attending career training, literacy/reading workshops, GED preparation classes, and more! To find an Opportunity Center, visit here.
Yes, we regularly assist our clients in getting the education/training tools they need and helping them find jobs in their area of interest. To accomplish this, Goodwill Gulf Coast has a network of partners and strong relationships with businesses and other organizations in the community.
Training approaches vary depending on the type of program. There are in-person, hands-on, virtual, and blended class options based on the particular training needs. Virtual options are completed on web-based learning management systems and are accessible 24/7.
Our Career Pathways job training programs are short term. Our shortest program is for forklift certification, which can be completed in a week. Our longest programs are designed to be completed in 6 months with at least 10 hours per week dedicated to training.
Yes, we do. The CNA Program is currently offered to Florida residents. For more information on the Certified Nursing Program or for the Forklift Certification Program, visit the Career Pathway programs page.
Yes, we do. Goodwill Gulf Coast provides English language classes in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. You can find information here or contact us at (251) 300-6274.
We do not provide transportation but can assist you with accessing transportation resources that may help in your specific situation. Also, we often can address transportation challenges by meeting our program participants at a location that is closer to them.
In terms of fees, there is no cost for participants. Those enrolled can take a GED Ready practice test for free based on our partnership with the Alabama Community College System. Then, after practice modules are passed, we will pay the fee associated with taking the Official GED Test.
Completion time varies. Studying 2-3 times a week can help you become GED ready and more likely to pass the test in just a few months, which depends on the last grade you completed and how recently you attended school. In most cases, the more you attend classes and study, the quicker you learn the information needed to pass all of the GED test subjects.
Goodwill Gulf Coast offers morning, afternoon, and evening classes to accommodate varying work schedules. If none of our class options fit into your current work schedule, alternative attendance arrangements can be discussed, including virtual learning platforms. Please note that we still offer the GED program at the Azalea and Schillinger Opportunity Center locations.
Visit here to provide some basic information that will help us get your enrollment process underway. Please fill out the form and a Goodwill Gulf Coast team member will be touch soon.
Requirements for GED enrollment and Official GED Test administration:
― Resident of Alabama and exited an Alabama public school.
― Notarized Certificate of Exemption issued by his/her local superintendent.
― Notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to enroll.
― Must have required TABE test scores or GED Practice Test scores to be allowed to
take the Official GED Test
― Valid Alabama ID/Driver’s License/Permit to take the Official GED Test
Requirements for GED enrollment and Official GED Test administration:
― Resident of Alabama and exited an Alabama public school.
― Notarized Student Exit Interview form from the school system.
OR
― Notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to enroll.
― Valid Alabama ID/Driver’s License/Permit to take the Official GED Test
You can access information on our Adult Education programs to make skills improvements as needed for military, employment, postsecondary enrollment, or your own self-improvement here.
The Child Development Center, as well as our HIPPY and PAT preschool-readiness programs, are open to all children in the community. The Early Intervention and Kaleidoscope Adult Day programs serve only children and young adults with special needs.
Goodwill Gulf Coast has an in-house clinic that offers assessment and diagnostic services for young children suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Evaluations can be initiated by parents through a referral from their child’s pediatrician. For more details, visit here.
― Early Intervention: Ends the day before the child’s 3rd birthday.
― Parents as Teachers (PAT): Birth to 5 years of age.
― Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY): 2-5 years of age.
― Child Development Center: 2.5-5 years of age.
― Kaleidoscope Adult Day Program: Adults ages 19 and up.
― Autism Evaluation Clinic: 2-6 years of age.
Yes! If you need medical equipment such as a walker, a wheelchair, crutches, a bath bench, or other medical equipment, these items and more are available at no cost to anyone at any of our retail stores. Just check with a cashier to be directed to the designated area. Or contact Randy Henry, Community Resource Coordinator, at (251) 300-6094 or RHenry@goodwillgc.org.
Yes, through our Free Book Program, we distribute books to families and schools free of charge! Visit our Airport Outlet Store in Mobile, where you will have a wide variety of books to browse or contact Lydia Gaudet at (251) 380-7150 or LGaudet@goodwillgc.org.
A “Good Samaritan Voucher” is a coupon available to those in dire circumstances to purchase items in our retail stores. If you qualify, you can receive a voucher from participating churches, community centers, or the American Red Cross. For more information, please contact Randy Henry, Community Resource Coordinator, at (251) 300-6094 or RHenry@goodwillgc.org.
Yes, we are a member of the national nonprofit network with affiliates in 14 countries including 155+ Goodwill organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Each Goodwill organization has its own local leadership, operations, and programs to help serve people in need.
Goodwill is the leading workforce provider in North America, placing someone in a new job every minute of every business day. Goodwill has more than a 120-year track record of providing services to people going through transition, whether due to lack of education or work experience, mental or physical challenges, or the impact of the criminal justice system.
In 2023, 2.1 million people utilized Goodwill programs and services to develop new skills and advance their career. Additionally, nearly 129,000 people used Goodwill services to secure new jobs and career advancement opportunities both within Goodwill and with other employers.
Through Goodwill organizations’ donated goods operations, over 4 billion pounds of people’s reusable goods have been recovered by selling them in Goodwill stores and outlets as well as online, giving them a second life. Also, the sale of these items funds programs and services that give individuals a second chance with new job opportunities and support systems.
Goodwill is proud to be recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest rating for nonprofit organizations. Goodwill also retains the highest ranking given by Charity Watch (formerly known as the American Institute of Philanthropy) which provides information about charities’ financial efficiency, accountability, governance, and fundraising.
You can be an advocate for Goodwill organizations. When you hear or read false rumors on the internet, such as the frequent yet inaccurate claim that GII’s CEO receives a multi-million dollar salary, please set the record straight and share this link: https://www.goodwill.org/false-rumors/.