BRADENTON, FL – Representatives from Goodwill Manasota and the Florida Goodwill Association (FGA) traveled to Tallahassee to share economic impact and workforce data that was collected on behalf of Goodwill organizations throughout the state. FGA president Jeremy Miller, Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky and vice president Veronica Brandon Miller made the trip to the state capitol to share the information with state legislators about the impact Goodwill has on the economy and in the lives of Floridians with barriers to employment.
The Goodwill representatives met with numerous state senators and representatives, and Allison Flanagan, the state director of Florida Vocational Rehabilitation.
All nine Florida Goodwill organizations participated in this survey. In 2017, they placed 30,488 people into jobs; the ripple effect of these placements generated an additional 4,400 jobs, for a total of 34,888. Total wages generated was $442.6 million, with a total economic impact calculated of nearly $1.3 billion. It is also important to note that, with more than 10,000 employees, Goodwill is one of the largest employers in the State of Florida.
In 2017, Goodwill Manasota’s local economic impact was calculated at more than $92.1 million – a 13.1 percent increase over the previous year. Additionally, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placing 555 into jobs, and provided 19,540 on-the-clock hours of training to its employees. The organization also served 360 veterans and their families, and diverted more than 41 million pounds from the landfill.
“We know that work creates strong families and vibrant communities as well as supports a stable economy,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO, Goodwill Manasota. “We believe that all who wish to work should know the pride of earning a paycheck and moving toward self-sufficiency. We are thrilled to provide a hand up and change lives through the power of work.”
The survey, which was conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Company, examined three categories of impact: jobs placement, operations, and capital improvements. “Economic impact” equals the gross receipts for goods and services generated in the economy through all of the organization’s activities, including job placements through the Job Connection program, revenue generated through its own business operations, capital improvements to new and existing facilities, money that Goodwill employees pump back into local economies, and more.
For more about Goodwill, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 41 million pounds out of the landfill. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.