Florida TaxWatch Report Outlines Estimated $1.2B Impact of Florida’s Goodwill Organizations

January 17, 2025 | Sarasota

In December, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its report, “More Than A Store: The Fiscal and Economic Impacts of Goodwill in Florida,” during a press conference at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. The report underscores the dramatic impact of the jobs and services offered by the Goodwills operating under the umbrella of the Florida Goodwill Association.

The Florida Goodwill Association consists of nine territories that are independently run and governed by their own local volunteer boards of directors. The nine established territories include: Big Bend, Central Florida, Gulf Coast, Gulfstream, Manasota, North Florida, South Florida, Southwest Florida, and Suncoast. Each of these territories provides critical services and programs that are focused on the direct needs of each community.

Through its sustainable business model of selling donated goods, Goodwill provides significant job opportunities, economic development, and community support for thousands of Floridians each year.

“The Florida Goodwill Association provides several impactful initiatives that help stimulate economic and workforce development by providing employment opportunities for individuals who often have barriers to entering the workforce through traditional means,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Moreover, these Goodwill programs add tremendous dignity to the lives of the clients and communities they serve.”

The collective statewide impacts of Florida’s Goodwills in 2023 were determined to be:

• Economic impacts: Provided an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact; contributed $652 million to Florida’s GDP; and added $127 million in personal income growth across the state.
• Fiscal impacts: Collected more than $20 million in local and state sales tax; and paid a total of $50 million in direct and indirect tax dollars to the state.
• Jobs created and job placements: One in 24 job placements in the State of Florida for 2023 were credited to Goodwill; more than 14,800 individuals were employed within Goodwill organizations; and Goodwill placed more than 4,000 individuals in jobs within their local communities.

“These findings reinforce the incredible value of Goodwill’s mission-driven approach to economic and community development. We are grateful to Florida TaxWatch for providing such a clear, data-driven look at the positive ripple effects Goodwill creates across the state,” added Goodwill Manasota President and CEO, and Chair of the Florida Goodwill Association, Donn Githens. “The report serves as a powerful reminder that Goodwill is, indeed, so much more than a store.”

Our local affiliate, Goodwill Manasota, was responsible for:

• $102.6 million in economic output;
• $57.2 million in local GDP;
• 1,671 jobs attributed to Goodwill through all its operations;
• $42.5 million in personal income growth;
• 446 job placements in the community;
• 50.6 million pounds of goods diverted from landfills; and
• $16.5 million in additional personal income through job placements.

Goodwill Manasota’s retail and mission services territory covers Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties on Florida’s west coast; additionally, in early 2024, Goodwill Manasota assumed responsibility for the thrift store operations in the Goodwill Gulfstream region, which includes five counties in the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast of Florida’s east coast.

“This comprehensive analysis underscores the profound impact Goodwill has—not just on the state’s economy but, more importantly, on the lives of individuals and families in our local communities,” said Githens. “The report highlights Goodwill’s significant contributions to Florida’s economic output, its role in creating jobs, and its commitment to fostering workforce development for those facing barriers to employment.”

To review the full report, visit floridataxwatch.org/Research/Full-Library/goodwill-economic-impacts-florida-2024. For more about Goodwill Manasota, visit experiencegoodwill.org.