Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, established in 1957 and based in Nashville, turns donated goods into no-cost education, career and technical training, and job placement. It runs 30 retail stores, two outlet stores, about 53 Donation Express Centers, and 13 Career Solutions Centers across 48 counties in Middle and West Tennessee, with over 97 percent of revenue coming from retail sales. Matthew Bourlakas serves as president and CEO. Website giveit2goodwill.org.
Goodwill runs a social enterprise: people donate used clothing and household goods, Goodwill sells them in its thrift stores, and the proceeds fund education, training, and job placement. With over 97 percent of its revenue coming from retail sales, the store network is the engine of the mission.
Goodwill of Middle Tennessee serves people facing employment barriers, including individuals with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, veterans, immigrants, seniors, and youth who left high school early.
The organization serves 48 counties across Middle and West Tennessee, operating 30 retail stores, two outlet stores, about 53 Donation Express Centers, and 13 Career Solutions Centers. That broad footprint is unusual for a single Goodwill and reflects decades of growth since its founding in 1957.
Goodwill of Middle Tennessee employs about 1,200 people and is one of Tennessee's largest employers of people with disabilities, with more than 45 percent of its workforce reporting some type of disability or disadvantage.
The Career Solutions Centers provide no-cost education, career and technical training, and job-placement services. The aim is to help people gain skills and credentials and move into stable work, funded entirely by the value of donated goods.
Matthew Bourlakas serves as president and CEO, leading both the retail operations and the workforce programs they fund.
Goodwill accepts clean, gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares, books, and many household items; check the donation guidelines before a large drop-off. Donations go to about 53 Donation Express Centers across the 48-county region.
Donations are tax-deductible, and donors should keep a receipt and an itemized list for their records. For a full breakdown, see our guide on what Goodwill accepts.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) organization, and over 97 percent of its revenue comes from retail sales, which fund its no-cost education and training. Its EIN for tax-deductible cash gifts is 62-0599413.
Because the training and career services are no-cost, store proceeds effectively subsidize workforce development across Middle and West Tennessee.
Both Goodwill and the Salvation Army run thrift stores funded by donated goods, but Goodwill focuses on no-cost education, training, and job placement while the Salvation Army funds recovery and broad social services. For donated clothing and housewares in Middle Tennessee, either is a strong option.
If your priority is workforce development and free career training across a wide region, Goodwill of Middle Tennessee is the dedicated agency at scale; for goods better suited to direct distribution, a local shelter or reuse nonprofit may fit better.
Last updated June 2026. Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee establishment (1957), CEO Matthew Bourlakas, 48-county Middle and West Tennessee service area, 30 stores plus two outlets, about 53 Donation Express Centers, 13 Career Solutions Centers, over 97 percent of revenue from retail, 1,200 employees, and Nashville headquarters (937 Herman Street) from Goodwill of Middle Tennessee (giveit2goodwill.org) and ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 62-0599413). We are not affiliated with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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