Good News

A message from Goodwill of the Finger Lakes CEO Jennifer Lake  We are absolutely thrilled — and humbled — to share that our organization has received a $10 million gift from Ms. Scott. The gift is the result of our mission, our work, our team, our impact and our potential. It is by far the largest single donation in our 100+ year history.  Goodwill’s humble roots date back to 1902. Our…

We are beyond thrilled and humbled to share this exciting news with you, which you may have already read about. We learned that Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has chosen Goodwill of the Finger Lakes as one of the 384 incredibly lucky (and humbled) not-for-profit Organizations to gift a “life changing” charitable donation. To say this is a silver lining at the end of the toughest year…

  ROC the Day for ABVI and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes today on#GivingTuesday! December 1st is #GivingTuesday and you can be part of it by ROCing the Day!  Support Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) during a community-wide day of giving. It’s easy. To make a donation today to support ABVI, go to http://bit.ly/ROCABVI.…

AFPGV celebrates National Philanthropy Month by looking back and to the future By: Special to the RBJ Marlisa Post November 4, 2020 (**this is a reposted article from the Rochester Business Journal, written by our Senior Giving Manager Marlisa Post**)    From left, Jennifer Johnson, Emcee, 2019 AFPGV National Philanthropy Day Awards; Alan Sikora, CEO, First American…

8 Days to Halloween: Shop Now at Goodwill for Spooktacular Finds and Deals; Post Your Goodwill Costumes on Facebook and Instagram to Win a $25 Gift Card    ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Halloween will look different this year in many ways, just as spending habits have changed, too, but dressing up (and decorating) for Halloween is still the plan for many families. That’s why right now is…

KeyBank Foundation Gives $62,500 to Goodwill of the Finger Lakes for 211/LIFE LINE Contact Center. Donation is part of $250,000 pledge over four years ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has been a leading not-for-profit in the Greater Rochester area for over a century and has truly risen to the occasion to support and empower its community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded,…

This year marks the 30th anniversary of a partnership between 3M and our mission program ABVI, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Launched in 1990, the partnership was a first for an NIB (National Institute for the Blind) associated agency and a private company. Over the past 30 years, our organization has produced millions of yellow note stick pads, and over 37 other products…

As of August 3, 2020 only 63% of all households in the nation have responded to the 2020 Census. Be sure your community receives necessary funding by participating today! What is the Census? The 2020 Census will determine how $675 billion in funding gets distributed across the nation for schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs. Check out this blog post for more…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Sept. 4, 2020 Families are hurting. The Black community is hurting. The Greater Rochester community is hurting. The nation is hurting. To those who are hurting and mourning, including Daniel Prude’s family, we are devastated by your loss. We stand with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rochester, ROCovery Fitness and others who are advocating for…

Shop Goodwill Cares - $1 Sundays at Goodwill! During this time of uncertainty and transition, we want you to know you're here for you - Goodwill Cares. As your local not-for-profit, we aim to serve our community in times of need  Your donating and shopping with us supports and fuels our mission programs, allowing us to serve those through programs like our 211/LIFE LINE, a 24/7 crisis…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes CEO Jennifer Lake was recently featured in the Rochester Woman Online publication as the highlight for "Women Who Inspire".  For the full article and to read Jen's inspiring journey visit here. Congratulations to Jen on her feature - we are proud to have her leading our great organization!  

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has opened the doors of a brand new Clearance Center.  The opening occurred at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 1555 Jefferson Rd. in Henrietta. Clearance Center hours will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day. On average, thousands of shoppers visit Goodwill’s Clearance Center each week, with a few hundred shoppers per day. Goodwill’s…

  ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Goodwill of the Finger Lakes will host two “Hiring on the Spot” events for retail and warehouse positions today and tomorrow. Today’s hiring event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at 376 Jefferson Road in Henrietta. Tomorrow’s will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 34 Eastview Mall in Victor.    The first 10 people each day…

As NY Schools Reopen, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Encourages Community Members to Shop at Goodwill for Affordable Back-to-School Attire and Materials Students and educators with valid ID get 15% off their purchase on Tuesdays Organization experienced financial losses during pandemic; needs shoppers and donations   ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As summer comes to an end and New York schools begin…

  Goodwill of the Finger Lakes formally endorses declaration that racism is a public health crisis July 29, 2020 - Today the Board of Directors for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes joins other local organizations to formally endorse the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group’s Declaration: “Racism is a Public Health Crisis.” The organization acknowledges that racism is a public…

All of our stores are now open.  While we are grateful we can reopen our stores, please understand, safety is our number one priority at Goodwill. We are taking a cautious approach to keep everyone safe, and would appreciate your patience as we navigate the many new safety protocols put in place.  All customers and employees must wear face masks/coverings as mandated by New York…

Stores expected to open in Phase 2, but Goodwill needs donated items in the meantime ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is accepting donations — contactless donations, that is — effective immediately per state and county reopening guidelines. Donation doors are open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days a week at all stores and Donation Centers across the Finger Lakes…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Appoints Jennifer Lake as CEO The Board of Directors of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has appointed Jennifer Lake as chief executive officer, effective immediately. She replaces Dr. A. Gidget Hopf, who is retiring after 34 years. Lake joined Goodwill of the Finger Lakes in 2007 and was appointed president in September 2019, when Hopf announced her retirement. Prior, she…

A Message from Our President & CEO, Jennifer Lake:   Right now, the cash registers in our Goodwill stores are silent. But Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has not been quiet during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve been delivering critically-needed services to our community.   And even though you currently can’t score great deals in the stores, your support can mean a great…

GOODWILL CALLING UPON COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE FACE MASKS – OVER 50,000 MASKS NEEDED FOR ROCHESTER & FINGER LAKES NONPROFIT STAFF AND CLIENTS Rochester, NY – (April 6, 2020) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Monroe County Department of Health recommend wearing cloth face masks in public settings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Nonprofit organizations…