NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011
In Its First Year, Global Initiatives Help Goodwill Gain New Donors and Serve More People
Northern New England — Last June, Goodwill Industries International launched the Donate Movement to raise awareness about the importance of donating gently used items and the positive impact those items can have on both people and the planet. In just one year, the global initiative has increased donations to Goodwill® and traffic to the Donate Movement microsite, http://donate.goodwill.org, and spurred numerous partnerships with leading corporate brands.
“The Donate Movement encourages consumers to make careful choices about the gently used items they no longer need,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Every item donated to Goodwill equals money spent on job skills training, education and other vital services offered to our communities. And every donation means that fewer items will end up in landfills.”
The Donate Movement has been integral in expanding Goodwill’s reach. In 2010, Goodwill Industries® diverted more than 2 billion pounds of used goods from landfills, raising $2.7 billion to fund valuable job training and community-based services for people who face challenges to finding employment. In turn, Goodwill was able to serve 2.4 million people, a 26 percent increase over 2009. The number of people donating to Goodwill also increased, from 56 million in 2009 to 74 million in 2010, and Goodwill agencies added more than 6,000 jobs last year, further fueling their local economies.
To spread the word about the Donate Movement, Goodwill leveraged its online presence and unveiled a new icon comparable to the recycling symbol. In addition, the agency launched its Donation Impact Calculator (patent pending), which allows donors to see exactly how their donations equate to Goodwill job training programs and employment placement services for people in their communities. In the first quarter of 2011, traffic to the Donate Movement web site increased 30 percent, and usage of the Donation Impact Calculator increased 25 percent.
As the Donate Movement gained momentum, major corporations and a Certified Professional Organizer® and best-selling author joined forces with Goodwill to encourage donations. Lorie Marrero, author of The Clutter Diet, signed on as the spokesperson and ambassador for the Donate Movement.
Additionally, the following organizations have partnered with Goodwill:
- Levi Strauss & Co.: As the movement’s first partner, the clothing manufacturer launched “A Care Tag for Our Planet” and began including messaging on product care tags, encouraging people to donate to Goodwill rather than throwing away used clothing.
- Family Circle: Goodwill teamed up with the national magazine to encourage readers to organize “Back to School” donation drives, resulting in approximately 20 million pounds of clothing being diverted from landfills.
- Hanes®: The clothing manufacturer partnered with Goodwill, deeming March national “Clean Out Your Drawers Month.” Celebrities Bethenny Frankel and Michael Moloney provided tips on how to de-clutter and organize for spring. The campaign encouraged people to donate the items they no longer use to Goodwill.
- Planet Green™ — the television network devoted to conscious living – leveraged its multi-media platform, to spread the message about the positive impact donations have for our communities and the environment.
“This year was incredibly successful for the Donate Movement, and we hope it continues into the future as we develop more partnerships and reach more individuals to remind them that just as there are things you recycle, there are things you donate,” Gibbons said.
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About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America’s top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that career services and other support services by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,500 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2010, 2.4 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl
About Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has a 78-year history of providing innovative services that eliminate barriers to opportunity and help people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Last year, we served over 80,000 individuals through job training and placement, career counseling, family strengthening services, youth employment opportunities, brain injury programs, and other community support services for people with disabilities. Our programs are funded by revenue from our 26 retail stores, grants, fees, and financial gifts. Please visit www.goodwillnne.org for more information. Twitter: GoodwillNNE. Facebook: GoodwillNNE
Contact: Michelle Smith, Communications Manager
michelle.smith@goodwillnne.org
(207) 699-0724
Cell: (207) 239-7225
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