Goodwill Industries International: CSR and Social Impact

Introduction

Goodwill Industries has a strong reputation across the United States and parts of the world as an organization that provides inexpensive clothing and other important personal and household items. Beyond its retail presence, a significant part of Goodwill's mission involves providing jobs for people and strengthening communities. Its mission statement notes that the organization served 4.2 million people in 2011 through training and employment programs. This paper examines why Goodwill is considered an exemplary company in terms of its commitment to social responsibility.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a phrase that has become quite prominent in the world of business, as more and more organizations recognize the importance of giving back to the communities in which they operate. Goodwill's mission statement traces back to 1902 when the nonprofit was founded, making clear that CSR was always part of its philosophy. The factors that have consistently influenced Goodwill are the need for people to have meaningful employment and the need for struggling communities to become more sustainable.

Corporate Social Responsibility at Goodwill

Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning the power of work (Goodwill Mission Statement). The values that Goodwill upholds are central to the image it has built as a helpful, people-centered organization.

Core Values and Organizational Philosophy

For example, as a large nonprofit that generated a one-year total of $4.43 billion—with people working for Goodwill earning $2.95 billion of that—and that adheres to strong human and societal values, Goodwill has earned respect as a socially responsible organization. The values put forward by Goodwill include: (a) treating all people with dignity and respect; (b) honoring its heritage by being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible; (c) striving to meet the highest ethical standards; (d) challenging employees to strive for excellence and embrace a continuous learning approach; and (e) seeking continuous improvement, bold creativity, and change (Goodwill, 2012).

On the subject of protecting the environment, Goodwill approaches sustainability through six target areas: water conservation, energy efficiency, procurement, waste management and recycling, pollution prevention, and training (Goodwill, 2012).

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

Several concrete examples illustrate Goodwill's environmentally responsible activities. Each month, Goodwill staff are required to attend training sessions on green topics, including sustainable eating and green health practices. The company has also signed a contract with Constellation Energy to provide electricity for its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland entirely from wind energy.

At its International Member Services Center, Goodwill offsets 100 percent of its energy use with renewable energy certificates. The center also uses energy-efficient overhead lighting and occupancy sensors, reducing energy consumption at headquarters by more than 58,000 kilowatts per year — the equivalent of diverting 14 tons of waste from landfills.