Wait. Let’s get one thing straight before we dive into the weeds: Goodwill is a massive, sprawling network, not a single monolithic entity with one person pulling all the strings. If you’ve seen those viral posts claiming the "owner" of Goodwill is a massive donor to Donald Trump, you’ve basically been fed a half-truth wrapped in a misunderstanding of how nonprofits actually work.
Honestly, the question of does Goodwill support Trump is way more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Because Goodwill isn't a "company" in the way Walmart or Amazon is, it doesn't have a single owner who can just write a check from the corporate treasury to a campaign. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. By law—specifically the Johnson Amendment—nonprofits are strictly forbidden from endorsing or opposing political candidates. If they did, they’d lose their tax-exempt status faster than you can find a vintage denim jacket on their racks.
The Confusion About Leadership and Donations
So where does the rumor come from? Mostly, it’s about the people at the top.
Steven Preston, the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, has a pretty deep resume in Republican circles. Before he took the helm at Goodwill, he actually served in the George W. Bush administration. He was the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Does that mean Goodwill is a pro-Trump organization? Not really.
Preston is a Republican. That’s a fact. But his history is more "traditional GOP establishment" than "MAGA firebrand." While individual executives can make personal donations with their own money, those contributions are private acts, not corporate endorsements. If you look at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, you won't find a "Goodwill PAC" dumping millions into Trump’s campaign coffers. It just doesn't exist.
Independent Agencies vs. The National Office
Here is the part that trips everyone up. Goodwill is actually a network of over 150 local, independent organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
The Goodwill in Seattle is a totally different legal entity from the one in Miami or the one in rural Ohio. They have their own boards, their own local CEOs, and their own regional priorities. This decentralization makes it impossible for the organization to have a single political "soul."
- Local Governance: Each regional Goodwill decides how it spends its money locally.
- Mission Focus: Most of their energy goes into job training and "re-entry" programs for people with criminal backgrounds or disabilities.
- Political Neutrality: To keep their federal grants (which are huge), they have to stay neutral.
What Goodwill Actually Advocates For
If you look at what Goodwill actually talks about in Washington, it’s not partisan culture war stuff. They are laser-focused on "bread and butter" workforce issues.
They lobby for things like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the First Step Act, which was actually a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill signed by Trump in 2018. Because that bill helped the people Goodwill serves—specifically those looking for jobs after prison—they supported the policy, but that’s not the same as supporting the politician.
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They’ve also been vocal about protecting the Charitable Standard Deduction. Basically, they want to make sure you still get a tax break for dropping off your old clothes, regardless of who is in the White House.
The Social Media Myth vs. Reality
You’ve probably seen the "Boycott Goodwill" posts on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter). Usually, these posts claim that the "Owner of Goodwill, Mark Curran," is a Trump supporter.
Here’s the kicker: Mark Curran does not exist. There is no Mark Curran running Goodwill. There never has been. This is one of those classic internet "zombie myths" that refuses to die. It’s been debunked by Snopes and AP News for years, yet it pops up every election cycle like clockwork. People get riled up, share the post, and suddenly everyone thinks their local thrift store is a political war room.
Does the Trump Administration Benefit Goodwill?
Kinda. It depends on the policy.
During Trump's first term, the focus on deregulation and certain tax incentives for businesses sometimes aligned with Goodwill’s "social enterprise" model. They operate like a business to fund their charity work, so they like a healthy economy. However, they also rely heavily on federal funding for vocational training. If a budget proposal from the Trump administration—or any administration—threatens to cut those funds, Goodwill’s advocacy arm (Goodwill Industries International) will fight it tooth and nail.
In early 2026, as the political landscape shifts again, Goodwill has stayed remarkably quiet on candidates, instead focusing on their "Policy Priorities" list which includes:
- Expanding access to Pell Grants for short-term job training.
- Supporting the "Second Chance Act" for former inmates.
- Protecting SNAP (food stamp) benefits that many of their trainees rely on.
The Verdict on Political Support
So, does Goodwill support Trump? If you mean "does the organization give him money or endorse him," the answer is a hard no.
If you mean "are there Republicans in high-ranking positions," the answer is yes, but there are also Democrats and Independents across the 150+ local organizations.
Buying a $5 t-shirt at Goodwill isn't a political statement. It's just buying a t-shirt. The money stays mostly local, funding job centers and resume workshops in your own zip code.
Actionable Insights for Conscious Shoppers
If you’re worried about where your money goes when you donate or shop, don't just rely on a meme.
- Check the Local CEO: Go to the website of your specific regional Goodwill (e.g., "Goodwill of North Georgia") and look at their leadership team.
- Review Form 990: Since they are nonprofits, their tax returns are public. You can see exactly how much the CEO makes and where the money goes on sites like Charity Navigator or ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer.
- Look at the Board: Boards of Directors for local Goodwills are usually made up of local business leaders. Their political leanings vary wildly based on the geography of where you live.
- Focus on the Mission: Ask yourself if the local job training programs they provide are worth the donation, regardless of the national CEO's past career in the Bush administration.
Basically, Goodwill is a tool for workforce development. It’s not a political action committee. While individuals within the system have their own leanings, the "Goodwill supports Trump" narrative is largely a product of internet rumors and a misunderstanding of how independent nonprofit franchises operate.
To get the most out of your local Goodwill, check their "Impact Report" usually found on their regional website. This will show you exactly how many people in your specific town found jobs through their programs last year. This data is a much better metric of their "support" than any political rumor.
Next Steps:
To verify the impact of your donations, search for your local Goodwill's "Annual Impact Report" to see the specific number of job placements they facilitated in your community over the last twelve months. If you are concerned about executive pay, use the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer to search for your specific regional branch's Form 990.