Our History
Let's take a look into our past.
1902
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.
1941
The first New Mexico Goodwill location opens in downtown Albuquerque on Gold and 2nd street.
1955
Goodwill's fleet of collection trucks begins picking up donations at donor's homes.
1960
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico is one of the first in the county to upgrade its image from a secondhand store to an attractive retail location.
1979
Goodwill establishes its Employment and Training Department.
1991
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico receives its first accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
2009
Goodwill partners with the Dell Reconnect program to responsibly recycle computers and computer accessories (working and nonworking) in an environmentally friendly manner.
2011
Goodwill opens Paseo, Menaul and GoodBuys store locations.
2013
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.
2014
Goodwill opens store location in Bernalillo.
2015
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.
2016
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.
2017
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.
2018
We opened our new store in Los Lunas. We served 18,116 New Mexicans and placed 1,464 individuals in community employment.
2019
We placed 1,638 individuals in community employment and served 19,573 New Mexicans. We began the remodeling of our San Mateo location.
2020
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.
*Goodwill Industries of New Mexico is not a religious organization and offers services to anyone who qualifies regardless of religious preference.