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

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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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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. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and serve 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

New VP of Engagement & Philanthropy, Jim Bartoo

September 24, 2026
Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is pleased to announce Jim Bartoo as its new Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, joining the organization’s senior leadership team as Goodwill continues to grow its presence and mission impact across the region. A Chattanooga native, Bartoo brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong background in brand development, strategic fundraising, community engagement and storytelling. His career includes senior leadership roles with zoological organizations in Nashville and Columbus, Ohio, as well as earlier experience in television news production in Chattanooga. “Jim has spent his career connecting people to organizations and causes that matter,” said Gena Weldon, President and CEO of Goodwill Chattanooga. “His ability to build relationships, tell meaningful stories and bring people together around a shared purpose makes him a tremendous addition to our leadership team. As Goodwill continues to grow, we want to make sure our community understands not only what we do, but the impact made possible every day through their support.” As Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, Bartoo will lead an integrated approach to marketing, communications, public relations, philanthropy, advocacy and community engagement. He will focus on strengthening Goodwill’s relationships throughout the community, growing philanthropic support and more clearly connecting the organization’s retail operations with the mission they help make possible. A key part of that work will be telling the “story behind the store,” how donating and shopping at Goodwill help create opportunities for people through employment, training, education and other mission services. “I’m excited to return to my hometown and join an organization that has been part of this community for more than a century,” said Bartoo. “Goodwill has an incredible story to tell, and I look forward to helping more people understand the impact their donations, purchases, partnerships and philanthropic support can have in the lives of people throughout our region.” Bartoo’s appointment comes as Goodwill continues to expand its mission impact and capabilities across its 23-county service area in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. For more than a century, Goodwill Chattanooga has worked to help people transform potential into opportunity, creating pathways to greater independence, employment, education and economic opportunity.

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September 22, 2026
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