to learn about our past
Our History
Boston-based Methodist minister Dr. Edgar J. Helms establishes a charity based on an unusual approach: going door to door asking for donations of clothing and household goods, then paying workers to refurbish goods and selling them for profit.* From this process and a “hand up, not hand out” philosophy, the Goodwill model was formed and began to grow.
The first New Mexico Goodwill location opens in downtown Albuquerque on Gold and 2nd street.
Goodwill’s fleet of collection trucks begins picking up donations at donors homes.
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico is one of the first in the country to upgrade its image from a secondhand store to an attractive retail location.
Goodwill establishes its Employment and Training Department.
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico receives its first accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Goodwill partners with the Dell Reconnect program to responsibly recycle computers and computer accessories (working and nonworking) in an environmentally friendly manner.
Goodwill opens Paseo, Menaul and GoodBuys store locations.
92-cents of every dollar spent by Goodwill applied directly to programs and services. Goodwill also serves nearly 12,000 New Mexicans and placed 671 individuals in competitive community employment.
Goodwill opens store location in Bernalillo.
Goodwill serves nearly 15,000 New Mexicans and places 1,133 individuals in competitive community employment. This year 88-cents of every dollar spent by Goodwill was applied directly to programs and services.
We opened our new concept store, GoodThreads on Alameda. We also renovated our Santa Fe and Gallup stores to improve organization and enhance the shopping experience. In addition, Goodwill served 17,132 New Mexicans and placed 1,242 individuals in community-based employment. This year 90-cents of every dollar spent by Goodwill was applied directly to programs and services.
We served 17,403 New Mexicans and placed 1361 individuals into community-based employment. Our Farmington and Paseo stores were beautifully remodeled, and construction of our new store in Los Lunas began. This year 89-cents of every dollar spent by Goodwill was applied directly to programs and services.
We placed 1,638 individuals in community employment and served 19,573 New Mexicans. We began the remodeling of our San Mateo location.
We placed 1,124 individuals in community employment and served 13,385 New Mexicans. We successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and stayed strong for our community.
We placed 1,465 individuals with community employment and served 14,628 New Mexicans. We launched a new Production Assistant Training program, opened a new location in Espanola, launched our e-commerce site, and finalized our next three-year strategic plan.
We served 14,978 people and placed 1,314 people in the community; we launched our NextSteps Program for reentry services for institution-referred participants, we received a three-year CARF re-accreditation, remodeled our Outlet, San Mateo and Coors locations, moved corporate offices and relocated our e-commerce location, and began the groundwork to implement new sustainability efforts.
We placed 1,556 individuals with community employment and served 21,538 New Mexicans, expanded our NextSteps Program, and created the JumpStart program to help young people aged 16-22 find meaningful employment. Underscoring our organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship, 9,029,251 pounds of material were recycled and diverted from landfills. We also integrated two electronic (EV) semi-trucks into our operations – the first of their kind in the state.
This was an incredible year filled with growth, impact and the unwavering dedication of our team. Our nonprofit organization reached more New Mexicans in need than ever before in a single year – a testament to the power of working together to create lasting change… to do good for our neighbors in need. We placed 1,678 New Mexicans with employment in the community and served 21,947 people overall. We also diverted 7,857,044 pounds of unusable donations from landfills.