Goodwill Industries of Kansas history

In 1958, Norman Rockwell, one of America’s great 20th century American illustrators, created “First Paycheck” and later gave it to Goodwill.

1962 Ronald Reagan made a public address message informing everyone about the mission of Goodwill®.

1965 Goodwill Industries of Kansas established a dedicated building and opened its first retail store in Kansas.

1968 The “Smiling G” logo was designed “to represent the Goodwill® name, and the smiles that come from helping people help themselves.” Today, it is one of the most recognized logos in the United States

These two separate non-profit organizations, the Helping Hand Institute and Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City, merged in 1978 to form the Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries.

2003 Goodwill Industries of Kansas expands programs to individuals with economic disadvantages to provide education and job skills training.

Goodwill Industries® is one of the nation’s most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands* as well as a leading social services enterprise with 18 Kansas stores and various job training and education programs in Kansas. (*2009 Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100)

2014 Goodwill Industries partners with WSU Tech (formerly known as Wichita Area Technical College) to form NexStep Alliance.

2015 Goodwill’s sewing department brands its products as Edgar James Apparel, named for Goodwill’s founder.

2017 Goodwill partners with WSU Tech to launch the Future Maker Mobile Learning Lab, helping students get a hands-on look at science, technology, engineering and math careers in fields like nursing, advanced manufacturing, aviation and more.

Internationally the organization has embarked on the 21st Century Initiative and seeks to improve the economic self-sufficiency of 20 million people and their families by 2020.