Goodwill of Southern New England, based in North Haven, Connecticut, turns donated goods into employment, educational, social, and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges. It operates 19 thrift stores, a boutique store, two outlet stores, and 12 attended donation centers across south-central and eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. Website goodwillsne.org.
Goodwill runs a social enterprise: people donate used clothing and household goods, Goodwill sells them in its thrift stores, and the proceeds fund programs for people with disabilities and other challenges. Donating and shopping are the main ways the public supports the mission.
Goodwill of Southern New England frames its mission broadly, enhancing employment, educational, social, and recreational opportunities for the people it serves, reflecting a focus on overall quality of life, not only jobs.
The organization serves south-central and eastern Connecticut along with Rhode Island. It operates 19 thrift stores, one boutique thrift store, two outlet stores, and 12 attended donation centers, and also runs a second-hand store in South Attleboro, Massachusetts, and a donation center in Providence, Rhode Island.
Its headquarters is at 432 Washington Avenue in North Haven, Connecticut. That two-state footprint is common for southern New England nonprofits, where state lines sit close together.
Goodwill of Southern New England centers its work on people with disabilities and other challenges, providing employment and skills programs as well as educational, social, and recreational opportunities. The breadth reflects its mission of supporting independence and well-being.
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.
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 12 attended donation centers across the 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 of Southern New England is a 501(c)(3) organization, and revenue from its stores funds its mission programs. Its EIN for tax-deductible cash gifts is 23-7431264.
The store-funded model means each donated item that sells helps pay for employment and life-skills programs for people with disabilities and challenges.
Both Goodwill and the Salvation Army run thrift stores funded by donated goods, but Goodwill of Southern New England focuses on opportunities for people with disabilities and challenges, while the Salvation Army funds recovery and broad social services. For donated clothing and housewares in Connecticut, either is a strong option.
If your priority is employment and life-skills support for people with disabilities, Goodwill of Southern New England is the dedicated agency in the region; for goods better suited to direct distribution, a local shelter or reuse nonprofit may fit better.
Last updated June 2026. Goodwill of Southern New England mission (employment, educational, social, and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges), North Haven headquarters (432 Washington Avenue), 19 thrift stores plus boutique and outlets, 12 attended donation centers, and south-central/eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island service area from Goodwill of Southern New England (goodwillsne.org); EIN 23-7431264 from GuideStar. A current CEO and revenue figure were not confirmed on the pages reviewed. We are not affiliated with Goodwill of Southern New England and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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