header - frequently asked questions

Goodwill stores provide job training and work opportunities in the stores, as well as supporting our programs that include employment, clinical, disability, and behavioral health.  

Goodwill supports Easterseals-Goodwill programs that serve people with barriers to employment and independence: including individuals with disabilities, those with limited work histories, young adults who are new to the job market, individuals from the refugee community seeking independence, as well individuals who have experienced unemployment in recent years.  Both our Goodwill stores and our off-site employment, health care and disability services programs help empower people to greater independence.

Yes.  While there is a decades-old rumor circulating on the internet that would have you believe Goodwill is a for-profit enterprise, Goodwill Industries International (GII) and our organization, Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc., which is an affiliate of GII, are registered 501c3 non-profit organizations.  This means that profits generated through the sale of goods in our Goodwill stores in Montana, southern Idaho and Utah are used to help fund our programs and services right here in our four-state territory.  Learn more about the facts behind the online rumors about Goodwill.

Your mother, of course! Goodwill shopping is for anyone who wants to save money. Our in-store surveys show that people from all walks of life and income shop at Goodwill frequently. Plus, we use the proceeds from all our store sales to fund our job training, disability services and health care services.

When an item cannot be sold in our stores, we’ve found other creative uses for them. For instance, some old clothing scraps can be recycled into industrial wipes (cleaning cloths) for industrial buyers. Other items that are too damaged for retail sales may be recycled.

New merchandise is put on our sales floor every day. We receive thousands of donations every week, and we process them as quickly as possible in order to make them available for sale. No matter when you visit, Goodwill® will always have something you are looking for!

You may return any item with a tag within 7 days of purchase for store credit only. You must have the original receipt.

Unfortunately, we cannot make house calls to pick up donations. If you would like to host a donation event, please email info@esgw.org

If your company would like to donate items that are acceptable donations, please contact us.

Our Goodwill stores are able to recycle more than 7 million pounds of donated items a year, keeping them from local landfills.  However, there are still some items which we’re not able to accept because of safety or disposal issues.  Please visit https://www.esgw.org/goodwill-what-we-accept/ to see what we can and cannot accept.

If you have any questions about whether or not you can donate an item please contact your local Goodwill® store.

Yes.  Your donations of clothing and household goods are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  Just save your donation receipt until tax time! 

The IRS requires the donor to assign values based on fair market value, or the value of the item if you were to sell it. Here are some general guidelines for tax deductible donations of used items to Goodwill.  The IRS also has a helpful publication.

Yes, we will accept working and non-working cars, boats and other vehicles. Please call 866-492-2770 (toll-free) to arrange a pick-up and answer any questions you may have or visit this link www.GoodwillCarDonation.org