Goodwill of Alaska, based in Anchorage, opened in 2016, the milestone that brought Goodwill stores to all 50 states. It is a mission-integrated, enterprise-funded organization that provides vocational opportunities to people with barriers to employment, funded by stores and donation centers in Anchorage and Wasilla. Jim Martin serves as president and CEO. Website goodwill-alaska.org.
Goodwill runs a social enterprise: people donate used clothing and household goods, Goodwill sells them in its thrift stores, and the proceeds fund job training and vocational services. Donating and shopping are the main ways the public supports the mission.
Goodwill of Alaska describes itself as mission-integrated and enterprise-funded, meaning its store revenue directly funds its mission of providing vocational opportunities to people with barriers to employment.
When Goodwill opened in Anchorage in 2016, it marked the point at which Goodwill stores operated in all 50 states. Goodwill of Alaska was the final piece of that national footprint.
Today the organization operates three retail stores in Anchorage, three Job Connections offices, and two attended donation centers, along with a presence in Wasilla. Jim Martin serves as president and CEO.
Goodwill of Alaska focuses on vocational opportunities for people who face barriers to employment, using its Job Connections offices to help people find and prepare for work. The stores fund those services.
As with all Goodwills, the organization is both a trainer and an employer, offering paid work and on-the-job experience to people building skills in the Anchorage area.
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 its attended donation centers and stores in the Anchorage area.
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 of Alaska is a 501(c)(3) organization, and revenue from its stores funds its vocational programs. Donors who want the organization's tax identification number for a cash gift can request it directly from Goodwill of Alaska.
The store-funded model means each donated item that sells helps pay for vocational services in the Anchorage area.
Both Goodwill and the Salvation Army run thrift stores funded by donated goods, but Goodwill focuses on vocational opportunities and job placement, while the Salvation Army funds recovery and broad social services. For donated clothing and housewares in Anchorage, either is a strong option.
If your priority is workforce development, Goodwill of Alaska is a dedicated option in the Anchorage area; for goods better suited to direct distribution, a local shelter or reuse nonprofit may fit better.
Last updated June 2026. Goodwill of Alaska opening (2016, completing Goodwill's presence in all 50 states), CEO (Jim Martin), mission (vocational opportunities for people with barriers to employment), and Anchorage and Wasilla locations (three Anchorage stores, three Job Connections offices, two attended donation centers) from Goodwill of Alaska (goodwill-alaska.org) and the Goodwill Industries International 2016 announcement. A specific affiliate EIN was not confirmed on the pages reviewed. We are not affiliated with Goodwill of Alaska and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]