5 Things to Know About Goodwill Keystone Area

Our Stores and Business Services Support our Mission Services

A lot of folks think that the purpose of our stores is to sell items to people who have low incomes. While we’re happy we can provide affordable goods, we are more than just a store. Our mission is to support people with disabilities and other barriers to independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and as members of the broader community. When we sell those items, the money is used to fund programs and services that teach job and life skills to people in need.

In addition to operating thrift stores, Goodwill Keystone Area – a nonprofit – provides business services such as custodial and labor fulfillment support to businesses and government. Our stores and business services fund our mission and create paid job-training opportunities that help and empower people in our community.

This year, we helped someone you know

Most likely Goodwill has helped someone you know or met in your community. Maybe a son, daughter, brother, sister of a friend, neighbor or colleague participated in a Goodwill job program or service. We may have helped them write a resume or taught them how to interview for a job. Perhaps they received benefits counseling regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This year, 5,055 people received life-changing services from Goodwill Keystone Area. Goodwill Keystone Area is a member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of 158 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. We have a national impact, yet we are locally driven. When you support Goodwill, you are giving a hand up rather than a hand out.

92 Cents of Every Dollar we Earn Goes Directly to our Program

Many charities spend a high percentage of their income on overhead and fundraising. We don’t. When you shop in our stores or donate to Goodwill, 92 percent of that money goes directly to the programs and services we talked about earlier. Sure, overhead expense isn’t the only way to judge a responsible charity, but it is important. And so is this: nationwide, Goodwill is rated an “A” grade by Charity Watch, and was recently named one of the country’s “20 Most Inspiring Companies” by Forbes Magazine.

This is John. He is our CEO.

Our President and CEO

Our president and CEO, John McHenry, retired at the end of August 2019. John’s career at Goodwill Keystone Area spanned more than 47 years. Throughout his tenure, John held a variety of roles with his most recent position serving as executive vice president. He became president and CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area in January 2018. John holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Pennsylvania State University.

You may have heard that Goodwill is “owned.” Like all nonprofit organizations, Goodwill is directed by respected local community and business leaders who make up a volunteer board of directors, so Goodwill isn’t “owned” by anybody. In a nonprofit with paid staff, an important role of a board is its governance function: to hold staff accountable to the community purpose. The board ensures that the organization complies with tax and legal requirements and uses funds efficiently toward fulfilling the organization’s mission.

Our president and CEO reports to the board of directors. They hold the CEO accountable in leading the organization, managing more than 1,500 employees and ensuring that Goodwill Keystone Area is fulfilling its mission. Furthermore, our board of directors sets the CEO’s salary and has a rigorous process to determine compensation based on the impact of leadership, strategic goals and performance. Also, the board follows the regulations of fair compensation for a nonprofit CEO set by the IRS.

All of our Employees Earn More than the Minimum Wage

This applies to every one of our 1,500+ employees, who earn at least $9 an hour. Additionally, we offer benefits and education assistance programs.

Sometimes we receive questions about one of the tools that some agencies use to help people with significant and multiple disabilities called the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, authorized under the Fair Labor Standards Act Section 14(c). Work is the first and preferred outcome for all Pennsylvanians and, as such, we have retooled our primary service outcome as competitive integrated employment and have ended those services that used the Special Minimum Wage Certificate. Goodwill Keystone Area is committed to helping individuals achieve competitive integrated employment.

Mission

Goodwill Keystone Area is a nonprofit serving 22 counties in Southeast and Central Pennsylvania. Our mission is to support persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and as members of the broader community.