Goodwill Recognized Because of National Scope of Donor Contribution and Charitable Commitment

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries International is America's second largest nonprofit, according to Forbes.com's annual "America's 200 Largest Nonprofits" list. After placing 17th on last year's list, Goodwill(R) shot up to the top echelon in 2009, earning over $2.8 billion in private, non-government support last year.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090716/DC47803LOGO )

Goodwill joins other household nonprofit names on the top five list, including the United Way, The Salvation Army, Food for the Poor and Feed the Children. The strong ranking for Goodwill(R) reflects its charitable commitment, fundraising efficiency and donor dependency of its 166 local, headquarter agencies in the United States and Canada.

"Goodwill fared exceptionally well in Forbes' three financial efficiency ratios to earn revenue for our mission of helping people find good jobs," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Goodwill agencies were recognized for their local relationships with businesses and corporations to create fundraising initiatives, as well as for the percent of revenues that are utilized for a charitable purpose versus management or other business expenses."

Forbes ranked Goodwill:

* Charitable Commitment: 88 percent

The charitable commitment statistic calculates how much of total expense went directly to the charitable purpose as opposed to management, operating expenses and fundraising. The average for all the nonprofits this year is 86 percent, up from last year's 85 percent.

* Fundraising Efficiency: 99 percent

The fundraising efficiency ratio shows the amount of contributions left after subtracting the cost of getting them. The average for all the nonprofits this year: 91 percent, up 1 percent from last year.

* Donor Dependency: 97 percent

The donor dependency figure measures the extent to which a nonprofit needed donor contributions to break even. Forbes subtracted the annual surplus or deficit from gifts, and then divided this figure by the gifts. The higher the percentage, the more the charity needed the donations. This year's average for all the nonprofits is 95 percent -- a significant increase over last year's 60 percent figure.

Goodwill's success is unusual among this year's nonprofits. This year, Forbes' largest nonprofits collectively registered an average loss of $6 million -- the first time the group has lost money since Forbes began tracking them in 1999. Despite these losses, donor commitment to charitable giving remained high: giving increased by 16 percent -- $7 billion -- this year.

View the complete list on Forbes.com.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 183 community-based, independent agencies in the United States, Canada, and 13 other countries. One of the nation'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 generates opportunities for people to achieve economic stability and build strong families and vibrant communities by offering job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges. To pay for its programs, Goodwill sells donated clothes and other household items in more than 2,300 retail stores and online at www.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 2008, 1.5 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services and more than 172,000 obtained job placement services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find your local Goodwill, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org or call (800) 664-6577.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.goodwill.org