Frequently Asked Questions
Setting the Record Straight
False! Rumors that Goodwill is owned by “Mark Curran,” who makes millions of dollars, have been circulating through email chains and social media for more than 20 years.
No one by that name has ever been affiliated with Goodwill. Nicole Suydam is our President & CEO, and her salary is set by our Board of Directors following strict nonprofit compensation guidelines. Meet our leadership team and view our financials to get the facts.
False! Every individual who works for Goodwill of Orange County makes above minimum wage. Period.
False! Employees don’t get to pick through donated goods.
We have a strict policy about employee shopping. Team members are not allowed to stash or hide items, nor ask customers to purchase items for them.
Team members are also not allowed to shop at the store where they work. On their days off, they are able to shop at other store locations!
False! The numbers here don’t lie. More than 94 cents of every dollar is spent directly on mission services and life-changing programs.
All of Goodwill of Orange County profits are mission-focused. Our audited financials are available year-round, and we received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for our mission accountability and transparency.
False! Last year, 60 million+ pounds of items were donated and kept out of the local waste stream.
Goodwill of Orange County is committed to sustainability. Our team is trained to review each item to determine if it has enough useful life remaining to be sold at our stores.Items that don’t sell in our stores, on ShopGoodwill.com, or through our by-the-pound marketplace are sold to well-vetted recycling partners. Watch our sustainability story to learn more!
False! Goodwill of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employment social enterprise.
Our mission is to help people achieve their goals through a journey of personal support, work experience, and career development.
Since 1924, Goodwill of Orange County has connected millions of O.C. residents with life-changing opportunities. Learn about our impact here!
False! Every dollar spent at Goodwill of Orange County stores or raised through fundraising stays right here in Orange County.
We are an independent nonprofit organization governed by a local Board of Directors. While we are part of the larger Goodwill Industries International network, the work we do is tailored to the needs of the O.C. community.
That means that every pair of jeans and every blouse you score on your next thrift store visit helps someone right here — your neighbors, your friends and family, your community.
False! Of the 60 million pounds of donations received last year, 80 percent made their way to store shelves.
To maximize the value of the items we are entrusted with, we do sort donations like fine art, designer handbags and watches for our online store, ShopGoodwill.com.
As with any purchases made in store, all online sales support Goodwill of Orange County’s local mission work to help people connect with meaningful career opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Supporting Goodwill OC
Yes. We’re a nonprofit organization that reinvests all proceeds into local job training and employment services.
Our mission is to help people achieve their goals through a journey of personal support, work experience and career development.
To our mission work, bottom line. More than 94 cents of every dollar we spend funds programs that provide job training, 1:1 career support, and services for people with disabilities and veterans.
We are led by President & CEO Nicole Suydam and governed by a local Board of Directors who live and work in Orange County. Click here to meet our leadership team!
We’re the most comprehensive workforce development program in Orange County, providing you with the resources and personal support to achieve your fullest potential. We help:
- Anyone who wants to achieve their full potential and needs support to get there
- Adults with mental health diagnosis
- Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals
- Individuals with developmental or physical disabilities
- Students or youth with past justice involvement
- Veterans
No matter your background, we’re excited to help you accomplish long-term success. Explore more about our programs here!
Each year, we serve 25,000+ individuals in Orange County with life-changing career services and community support.
Donate gently used items at any of our stores or donation centers. You can also give financial donations online to support our programs directly.
Yes! We partner with ReSupply to offer pick-up services to make donating easy. Founded by veterans in 2015, ReSupply provides 24 – 48 hour in-home pickup in just a few clicks for a small fee. Schedule a donation pick-up here!
Find something special in-store or shop curated items online at ShopGoodwill.com. With every purchase, you help broaden access to workforce development and career opportunities across Orange County.
That’s great news! We’d love to help find your next new hire. Get connected with our workforce development team to learn more about our program participants and placement options.
Join us for our next See the Good Tour or consider hiring individuals with the experience and hands-on training needed to enhance your workforce.
Goodwill OC’s Tax ID: 95-1644018
Shopping at Goodwill
Every time you shop or donate to Goodwill OC, you support programs that help real people overcome challenges and achieve career success. Our biggest fans love finding new thrifted treasures knowing they’re changing lives while they do it.
Please use our Contact Us form to share about your experience. Your feedback helps us improve the shopping and donation experience for both our customers and our Goodwill OC team.
We love to provide our customers with discounts – so much so, that we have a different color tag on sale every week! Goodwill OC also offers a 10% military discount everyday and a 10% discount for seniors 55+ every Sunday and Tuesday.
We’ve made the tough decision to close our restrooms for health and safety reasons. While we know it’s inconvenient, our priority is to maintain a safe and clean environment for all. Thanks for your understanding!
Shop for clothing-by-the-pound and participate in live auctions at the Marketplace, also known locally as “the bins.” We refresh our stock regularly with a second bin rotation on Tuesdays through Fridays, so come prepared to uncover a variety of hidden gems! The Marketplace is located on our corporate campus at 2722 W. Fifth St. in Santa Ana. Get directions
Veteran Services
There is no cost. The Tierney Center’s services are completely free for veterans and their families.
Walk-ins are welcome, however it is encouraged to call us at (855) 998-3837 to schedule an appointment.
During your appointment we will need to verify your veteran status with one of the following documents: DD-214, VA ID card or State Issued ID.
No, but we can assist with requesting copies of any necessary documents in order to move forward with services.
Tierney Center is funded primarily through generous donations and partnerships with other nonprofits in Orange County.
We are located at 1231 Warner Ave, Tustin, CA 92780.
