About Us

What started with one truck and one storefront 100 years ago has helped thousands of people in our community receive education, training, jobs, and a second chance.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston, MA, by Rev. Edgar J. Helms. The idea was simple, fight poverty not with charity but with trade skills and provide a chance for the poor and unemployed to do productive work.


Inspired by compassion for the poor, sick, and disabled and determined to improve their quality of life, Helms put a burlap bag over his shoulder and asked for unwanted clothing, shoes, and household goods. He employed people in need to restore those collected items and taught them trades and skills as they worked. The income from the resale of those goods paid wages to these people.


With Helms as the driving force, Goodwill Industries spread throughout the United States. On July 5, 1923, Chattanooga Goodwill opened as the first Goodwill in the state of Tennessee and the 25th in the world.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

A blue background with white text that says mission we help people transform potential into opportunity.
community where every person regardless of ability situation or background can achieve their greatest potential
The core values of a company are people , integrity , commitment , and continuous improvement.

Our Strategic Plan

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A blue sign that says our strategic plan on it

When we commit to our guiding principles, donor values should increase, profits should increase, and potential should transform into opportunity within the communities we serve.

Structure

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is an innovative and sustainable social enterprise that utilizes its resale strategies to provide training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment such as multi-generational poverty, history of incarceration, and limited education and work experience. Goodwill accepts clothing and other household goods from the public and sells these donated items in multiple community-based stores. Revenue from the sale of these goods goes directly toward supporting and growing critical local programs and job placement services.


Goodwill is an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is a member agency of Goodwill Industries International and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Chattanooga Goodwill is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and serves 23 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. 

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Careers at Goodwill

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live independently, earn wages, and achieve their dreams.


We are committed to helping you achieve your personal and professional goals, whether it’s earning a credential or degree, planning for your next career, polishing your job search and interview skills, getting your finances in order, or overcoming a challenge specific to your experience or background.


We are here for you!

Our Service Area

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Newsroom

Good News: A New Goodwill Store is Coming Soon!

By Lora B • December 29, 2025
Coming Soon! A New Goodwill Store and Donation XPress Center in East Ridge!

Sheree's Success

By Lora B • December 15, 2025
“I was a stay-at-home mom for many years,” said Sheree. “When my children got older, my aunt, who worked at Goodwill, encouraged me to apply for a position as a part-time cashier at the Hixson Goodwill store.” Sheree quickly rose through the ranks to Shift Lead, then Assistant Store Manager, and then Store Manager. Today, she is thriving as an Applied Jewelry Professional E-Commerce Associate in Goodwill’s E-Commerce Department. Sheree’s passion for learning didn’t stop there. Earlier this year, as part of professional development discussions, Sheree asked our former Director of Office Administration, Heather Harris, if she could take courses from the Gemological Institute of America during her workday to enhance her abilities in her new role. Goodwill supported the request, and Sheree began taking classes while continuing her jewelry-processing duties. At Goodwill, we strive to live out our commitment to our employees by integrating our mission and supporting each employee’s desire to stay, grow, or go through education, training, and employment. Through Goodwill's support and Sheree's diligence and effort, she has now earned the following diploma and credentials: Jewelry Essentials Certificate Colored Stone Essentials Certificate Diamond Essentials Certificate Applied Jewelry Professional Diploma “The funds that are obtained from the sale of donated items go to our mission to help people transform their potential into opportunity,” said Sheree. “I’m thankful that Goodwill helped me earn these credentials and this diploma.” Sheree desires a long future with Goodwill, where she can continue to build on Goodwill’s core value of continuous improvement while giving back to the community.
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Aleetra Rice New CFO

By Lora B • December 2, 2025
Welcome Aleetra Rice, Chief Financial Officer
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