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 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.
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 17 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.
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!
7601 East Brainerd Rd
Chattanooga, TN
(423) 629-2501 ext. 7601
6104 Preservation Drive
Chattanooga, TN
(423) 629-2501
6104 Preservation Drive
Chattanooga, TN
(423) 629-2501
Athens, TN
1500 Decatur Pike
(423) 746-0611
Chatsworth, GA
920 N. 3rd Ave
(706) 503-1887
Chattanooga, TN
7601 E. Brainerd Rd
(423) 693-0133
Chattanooga, TN
5082 South Terrace
(423) 855-2119New Paragraph
Chattanooga, TN
4850 Highway 58
(423) 894-1740
Chattanooga, TN
1966 Northpoint Blvd
(423) 877-3739
Chattanooga, TN *
Outlet
3321 Dodds Ave
(423) 664-8978
Cleveland, TN
255 Paul Huff Pkwy NW
(423) 476-2545
Cleveland, TN
220 Grove Ave
(423) 479-7634
Dayton, TN
200 Able Drive
(423) 775-5299
Dunlap, TN
520 N. Rankin Ave
(423) 949-7378
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA
516 Battlefield Pkwy
(706) 452-9400New Paragraph
Kimball, TN
361 Kimball Crossing
(423) 837-8221
LaFayette, GA
100 Mize Lane
(706) 638-0664
Manchester, TN
2161 Hillsboro Ave
(931) 723-4078
McMinnville, TN
1339 Smithville Hwy
(931) 507-4050
Tullahoma, TN
1905 N. Jackson St
(931) 461-5543New Paragraph
* Does not have a Donation Center
We are a member agency of Goodwill Industries International, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and we are accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
Opportunity Campus | 6104 Preservation Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 | 423-226-0947
Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is a 501(C)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 62-0544853
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