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In this episode of the Nonprofit Podcast Network, I sit down with Bryan Wagner, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries serving the Greater Sacramento region, and Gabriel Noriega, workforce development coordinator and former Goodwill program participant.

Most people know Goodwill for its familiar stores and donation drop-offs—but in our region, Goodwill is a $100 million nonprofit powering one of the largest workforce development missions in Northern California. With 34 stores, 17 donation centers, 4 outlets, 1,700 employees, and more than 5,000 people served annually, this conversation reveals the real engine behind the brand: transforming lives through the power of work.

In This Episode

• The 88-year history of Goodwill in Sacramento and the scale of its retail and logistics operation
• How donated goods fund 99% of Goodwill’s mission services
• The “life cycle” of a donation—from collection to retail to outlet to recycling
• The four core pillars of their mission:
  • Vocational services
  • Advocacy and referrals
  • Work experience and on-the-job training
  • Digital and financial literacy
• Gabriel’s journey from visually impaired job seeker to job coach helping others build confidence and careers
• How Goodwill partners with organizations like the Department of Rehabilitation and SETA
• The turnaround strategy that brought Goodwill back to its core purpose: selling donated goods to fuel workforce impact
• What unlimited resources could unlock—Goodwill’s vision for a Workforce Development Innovation Hub
• Why donations, partnerships, and community engagement remain the lifeblood of the mission

Key Takeaway

Goodwill is far more than a thrift store—it’s a workforce engine. Every donation and every purchase directly supports job seekers breaking barriers and Building Futures.

To learn more about Goodwill Industries, Sacramento, visit: https://goodwillsacto.org/

Chapter Timestamps:

(00:00) Goodwill Mission and Impact
(10:43) Community Partnerships and Sustainability
(18:05) Funding Strategies and Future Vision
(30:19) Nonprofit Operations and Personal Relaxation
(36:00) Mission Impact and Community Support
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