Facts about online rumors webpage header with two women using a cell phone in a coffee shop.


Because Goodwill Industries International is widely known and respected as a network of nonprofits that create job training and employment services through the sales of donated items in Goodwill stores, the organization sometimes stands in the line of fire from individuals and organizations who are misinformed and/or misrepresent Goodwill Industries and Goodwill member organizations, such as Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc., to the public.

This negative rumor mill continually resurfaces in the form of a more than decade-old email that includes a variation of a message like this: “Think about these before you donate. As you open your pockets to do a good thing and make yourself feel good, please keep these facts in mind…”  The message then quotes erroneous information and salary figures for several nonprofit organizations’ chief executives, including a reference to a so-called “Goodwill Owner Mark Curran, who profits $2.3 million a year.”

What you should know about Easterseals-Goodwill

Our organization is an independent nonprofit.

Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc. is an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are one of 154 independent members of Goodwill Industries International. Each member organization is independently operated and funded.

Members must adhere to professional, financial, legal, and branding guidelines set forth by Goodwill Industries International. While we have similar missions, each member Goodwill organization is unique in the programs it offers and how it operates its business, because each of the communities we serve are unique.

We operate 25 Goodwill locations in three states and their profits are used to support our programs.

Many people think Goodwill stores exist only to sell used items for low prices to people who are on limited incomes. While we are happy we can provide affordable goods, that is not our mission. Our stores exist to support our mission to create opportunities that change lives for 12,477 lives we touch through services and outreach.

Easterseals-Goodwill provide 16 different programs offering employment and job training; community integration and housing for adults with intellectual disabilities; children’s therapy; and health-related services for adults and seniors in 49 locations across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. You can read more in our 2023 Annual Report.

Michelle Belknap CEOOur President and CEO is Michelle Belknap.

Like other nonprofits, Easterseals-Goodwill is managed by respected business leaders and a local volunteer board of directors that provides guidance. Goodwill is not owned by anyone.

Our president and CEO, Michelle Belknap, has been with the organization for over 30 years, serving as vice president of operations, chief operating officer and chief financial officer prior to becoming president and chief executive officer in December 2000. She chaired the board of Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and was a recipient of the Athena Award in 2008.

Nationally, Michelle has served on Easterseals’ Quality Council and is currently a member of their Affiliate Leaders Network. In 2019, she was awarded the J.D. Robins Jr. Distinguished Career Award from Goodwill Industries International. This award honors a CEO for their career contributions and dedication to the advancement of Goodwill Industries. In 2009 she was awarded the Myrtle M. and Tom B. Medders Award.  This award recognizes affiliate Chief Executive Officers for excellence and outstanding achievement in leading an Easterseals affiliate.  She has been a member of Goodwill Industries International’s Branding Committee, has served on the Goodwill Industries International Board since 2012, the GII Executive Committee, the Treasurer of the GII Board and the Secretary and Chairwoman of the Council of Executives for GII.  She currently sits on Easterseals National’s board of directors.

We have a proven track record of financial responsibility.

Easterseals-Goodwill earned $93.9 million in revenue in fiscal year 2023 (the most recent year for which our audited financial statement is available), and we spent more than 90 cents of every dollar on programs and services for people in need. This is a very healthy number in the nonprofit world, and a solid indicator of our commitment to good stewardship of your donations. 

For over 75 years, Easterseals-Goodwill has consistently spent less than 10 percent of its revenue on administrative and overhead expenses. While overhead expense isn’t the only way to judge a responsible charity, it is important. And so is this: Easterseals-Goodwill is a gold-level GuideStar participant, which speaks to our commitment to financial transparency.

GuideStar is a respected online information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit organizations. You can review our financial information and IRS 990 form on GuideStar.

Easterseals-Goodwill definitely encourages you to “think before you donate” and to research and learn more about the charities you’d like to support. Be certain the organization you choose uses its revenue for charitable purposes that support a mission you can get behind.

What you should know about Easterseals-Goodwill

Our organization is an independent nonprofit.

Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc. is an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are one of 154 independent members of Goodwill Industries International. Each member organization is independently operated and funded.

Members must adhere to professional, financial, legal, and branding guidelines set forth by Goodwill Industries International. While we have similar missions, each member Goodwill organization is unique in the programs it offers and how it operates its business, because each of the communities we serve are unique.

We operate 25 Goodwill locations in three states and their profits are used to support our programs.

Many people think Goodwill stores exist only to sell used items for low prices to people who are on limited incomes. While we are happy we can provide affordable goods, that is not our mission. Our stores exist to support our mission to create opportunities that change lives for 12,477 lives we touch through services and outreach.

Easterseals-Goodwill provide 16 different programs offering employment and job training; community integration and housing for adults with intellectual disabilities; children’s therapy; and health-related services for adults and seniors in 49 locations across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. You can read more in our 2023 Annual Report.

Man wearing a blazer in front of a tree smiling.Our President and CEO is Mark Sherman.

Like other nonprofits, Easterseals-Goodwill is managed by respected business leaders and a local volunteer board of directors that provides guidance. Goodwill is not owned by anyone.

Our President/CEO, Mark Sherman, has been with Easterseals-Goodwill for over a decade, serving as director of finance, vice president of finance, and chief financial officer (CFO). In 2019 Mark took on the added responsibility of program operations, which he maintained until becoming President/CEO in March 2024. Mark holds an MBA in finance from the University of Notre Dame, is a CPA, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business-accounting from Montana State University-Bozeman.

 

 

We have a proven track record of financial responsibility.

Easterseals-Goodwill earned $93.9 million in revenue in fiscal year 2023 (the most recent year for which our audited financial statement is available), and we spent more than 90 cents of every dollar on programs and services for people in need. This is a very healthy number in the nonprofit world, and a solid indicator of our commitment to good stewardship of your donations. 

For over 75 years, Easterseals-Goodwill has consistently spent less than 10 percent of its revenue on administrative and overhead expenses. While overhead expense isn’t the only way to judge a responsible charity, it is important. And so is this: Easterseals-Goodwill is a gold-level GuideStar participant, which speaks to our commitment to financial transparency.

GuideStar is a respected online information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit organizations. You can review our financial information and IRS 990 form on GuideStar.

Easterseals-Goodwill definitely encourages you to “think before you donate” and to research and learn more about the charities you’d like to support. Be certain the organization you choose uses its revenue for charitable purposes that support a mission you can get behind.