Frequently Asked Questions

Donation Questions

Can I drop off items at the stores?

Yes. Donations are accepted at all Goodwill Northern New England stores in Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont except our Gorham, Maine store. Click here to find a location near you here.

Can I donate phones and tablets to Goodwill?

Yes, you can donate phones and tablets to Goodwill NNE. Through our GoodTech program and Dell Reconnect we can accept all donations of computers, printers, phones, tablets, gaming consoles and related equipment in any condition. Those items are then either refurbished or recycled responsibly in the United States. It’s always best practice to clear your devices of personal information before donating.
For more information click here.

Can I donate computers to Goodwill?

Yes, you can donate computers to Goodwill NNE! Through our GoodTech program and Dell Reconnect we can accept all donations of computers, printers, tablets, phones, gaming systems and related equipment in any condition. Those items are then either refurbished or recycled responsibly in the United States. It’s always best practice to clear your devices of personal information before donating.
For more information click here.

Will Goodwill pick up my donations?

Yes. Goodwill offers a fee-based donation pickup service through a partnership with ReSupply, a third-party, Veteran-owned company. The donation pickup fee is determined by ReSupply based on the items being picked up. Goodwill does not receive any portion of the pickup fee. Donation pickups are entirely voluntary, and donors are always welcome to drop off donations to any of our donation centers for free. This service is currently offered in the Portland, Maine area, with plans to expand to Goodwill NNE’s entire territory (Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont). Visit goodwillnne.org/donate/ or call (361) 264-1467 to schedule a donation pickup. ReSupply will reach out to coordinate the pickup within 24-48 hours. 

What can I donate to Goodwill?

Our Acceptable Donations page has an up to date list of items Goodwill can and cannot accept.

What are my donations worth?

To determine the value of a donation, Goodwill provides handouts at each store and donation center as well as an online donation value guide.
If your item is not listed, it is suggested that using 30% of the item’s original price reflects its fair market value.

I lost my donation receipt, can I request a copy?

Unfortunately, Goodwill does not keep copies of the paper donation tax receipts. We might be able to help if you filled out your donation receipt online by scanning the QR code.

How do I get a tax receipt?

Donation tax receipts are available by scanning the QR Code signage with your smart phone or by request when you donate to Goodwill.

Are my donations to Goodwill tax deductible?

Yes, all your donations are tax deductible. In accordance with IRS regulations, Goodwill does not assign value to your donation. You can get a receipt by scanning the QR code signage at the donation center. 

Services

What’s Goodwill NNE’s privacy policy?

This website is the responsibility of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. All information on this website is copyright 2024 by Goodwill Industries of Northern New England unless otherwise noted. Goodwill is a trademark of Goodwill Industries, of which Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is a member. Reproduction of this web site, or any materials on this site, requires prior permission.

Out of respect for our donors, stakeholders and customers, we do not sell, trade, barter or share customer lists or our customers’ private information with any other businesses or people. All information gathered from visitors and consumers via this website and digital properties/assets is used solely by and for Goodwill of Northern New England.

Questions regarding Goodwill’s privacy policy should be addressed to Goodwill’s Privacy Officer, Rick Kadlec, 34 Hutcherson Drive, Gorham, Maine 04038, by phone at 207-774-6323 or by email at rick.kadlec@goodwillnne.org

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Health Information Privacy Policy

View our Notice of Privacy Practices

Are Goodwill’s services accredited?

Select Goodwill programs have been CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited since 1972.

Stores

What is Round Up?

Round Up is a way to support our mission and workforce programs by donating the spare change from your purchases. When you round up, you provide additional help with 100% of that going directly to our mission work of helping people move into personal stability. To learn more about how you’ve helped people in our community, visit our success stories.

What is Goodwill’s Store Refund & Return Policy

We want you to be happy with your great finds. If you aren’t for any reason, you may return items within 14 days of purchase for store credit (in the form of a gift card, redeemable at all our stores). Just a few rules:
• The barbs or stickers must still be on
• We need the original receipt
• Items must be from Goodwill NNE stores
• Lost gift cards are not recoverable. If you lose it, we cannot replace it or the store credit.
 
Goodwill NNE is a nonprofit social enterprise. We fund workforce programs with the revenue from our sales here. You help us help our neighbors find stability through work by funding Goodwill employment opportunities, job skills training and job placement assistance. Thank you for your support.

When Does Goodwill Put out Halloween Costumes and Decorations?

Are you starting Halloween decorating early this year? Need to place first in a Halloween costume contest? If you want to know when Goodwill puts out Halloween costumes and decorations, then mark your calendar for early September.

We have a large assortment of gently used and brand new items ready to hit the racks and shelves. If your local Goodwill sells out of ready to wear costumes, we have plenty of posts on making your own Halloween costumes and decorations.

Do Goodwill stores offer any discounts?

Yes, Goodwill offers a shopper loyalty program, Club Goodwill. We also have everyday sales. Click here to view our sales calendar.

Can anyone open a Goodwill Store?

No. Local Goodwills are autonomous 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations that are members of Goodwill Industries International. Each organization has a geographic territory to cover and develops plans to open Goodwill stores in locations that meet certain criteria and that it can best serve.

If the items in your stores are donated, why don’t you charge less for them?

As with every business, there are built-in costs that are necessary to our operation. We pay the salaries, benefits, education and training costs of our employees who pick-up, process, distribute and sell our goods. Our costs also include transportation, fuel, vehicle maintenance and utilities such as electricity, heat, water and sewer. Goodwill prices items to maximize their value and uses the capital to benefit our programs. Through your donations, Goodwill strives to be a self-sufficient nonprofit organization.

General Questions

Does Goodwill Northern New England pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage or use the 14C Special Minimum Wage Certificate? No.

No.

At Goodwill Northern New England, all employees make more than minimum wage. Further, through our workforce services, as we connect people with barriers to jobs in the marketplace, we ensure that they, too, are paid competitive wages, never less than the established minimum wage. We work together to ensure that our world is one we all want to have – one in which people can not only live a full life for themselves, but contribute to a healthy community for us all.

Is Mark Curran CEO and Owner of Goodwill Industries? No.

Mark Curran is not the CEO and Owner of Goodwill.
Steven Preston is the CEO of Goodwill Industries International and reports to a volunteer board of directors.

Tripp Harrison is the President & CEO of Goodwill Northern New England and reports to a volunteer Board of Directors. Goodwill NNE is a nonprofit.

Learn more about Mark Curran and think before you donate emails.

Who is in charge of Goodwill?

Goodwill has a volunteer Board of Directors. The President of the Board is Tiffany Breau-Metivier.

Who founded Goodwill?

Goodwill was founded by Edgar J. Helms in Boston in the 1900s. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England began operations in 1933.

What Percentage is Goodwill NNE’s Selling, General & Administration (SG&A) Expense?

Goodwill NNE’s Selling, General & Administration (SG&A) Expense is less than 10%.

Is Goodwill a religious organization?

No. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is nonsectarian.

How many people does Goodwill employ?

Goodwill employs about 2,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

How many people does Goodwill serve in a year?

We serve nearly 35,000 people through our healthcare and workforce services.

How is Goodwill funded?

Our services are funded by revenue from retail and recycling operations, grants, fees, and philanthropic investments and gifts.

How is Goodwill’s CEO Compensation Determined?

As with all nonprofits, CEO compensation is determined by the volunteer Board of Directors. The Goodwill Board of Directors determine the appropriate market rate for the person with the qualifications needed to serve as Goodwill Industries of Northern New England’s CEO.

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is a nonprofit social enterprise serving Maine, New Hampshire, and northern Vermont. The organization includes more than 100 locations, encompassing both retail and social services, with almost 2,000 employees who serve in excess of 35,000 people annually.

Is Goodwill NNE Autonomous?

Yes. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is an autonomous organization with a local volunteer board of directors. We are a member of Goodwill Industries International.

Is Goodwill a Charitable Organization?

Yes, Goodwill is a 501 (c) (3) charitable nonprofit organization.

Gift Cards

When will I receive my gift card?

Gift cards purchased in store are received immediately. Once you place your order online, your gift card will be shipped within five to seven business days.

Will Goodwill replace a lost or stolen gift card?

Please treat gift cards like cash, as they cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

Can I exchange my gift card for cash?

Please note that gift cards are only good towards purchases at retail stores. They hold no cash value.

Does Goodwill gift cards have expiration dates or fees?

You can use your gift card any time – there is no expiration date and no associated fees.

Can I purchase a gift card for another person?

Yes. If you would like to directly mail the gift card to a recipient, please include this person’s name and complete mailing address in the “Notes” section at check out.

Where can I use Goodwill gift cards?

You can use your gift card at retail stores operated by Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont.
Goodwill NNE gift cards are not redeemable on our eBay, Amazon, ShopGoodwill or Goodwill Anytime online stores.

Can I purchase gift cards at a Goodwill store?

Yes, you can purchase gift cards at any of our retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont.

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