South Carolina's two primary Goodwill organizations announced findings from an economic impact study Tuesday that said the organizations contribute about $638 million to the state's economy each year. The announcement was made outside of the Statehouse in Columbia.
Palmetto Goodwill and Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina reached out the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business for the study, according to University Research Economist Joseph Von Nessen.
Palmetto Goodwill works in 18 counties throughout the state, while Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina is in 16 of the state's counties. The organizations helped bolster about 15,000 jobs in the 34 counties, although not each job counted is a direct Goodwill employee.
The study took about six months to complete.
Von Nessen said Goodwill's day-to-day operations and employment programs were the two primary sources in the economic findings.
"The benefits to the individuals themselves — that really was the biggest finding — the most important finding," he said.
The pair of nonprofits served more than 23,000 people through programs like career placement and education assistance, according to the study.
Palmetto Goodwill CEO and President Brian Itzkowitz said he wanted to expand on already existing partnerships and programs following the study's release. The organization provides training programs to assist with employment for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients and "justice-involved individuals."
Itzkowitz also wanted to see more support for those without a high school diploma. The study revealed that 10% of 2024 Palmetto Goodwill program participants had not finished high school. For Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, 20.2% of its 2024 participants did not have a high school diploma. Statewide, 9.9% percent of people aged 25 or older are high school graduates, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
