History

Established in 1930, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana has an enduring history and a thriving presence throughout the state.

The Rev. Albert Spaulding established the first Goodwill program in the basement of Indianapolis’ Fletcher Place Methodist Church in 1930, modeled after the program that the Rev. Edgar J. Helms first established in Boston in 1902. In 1934, the Rev. Howard Lytle came to Indianapolis and became the driving force behind the development of the organization. In its more than 80 years, the organization has enjoyed the stability of only four leaders at its helm – Lytle, Alan M. McNeil, James M. McClelland and Kent A. Kramer. On January 1, 2017, the central Indiana Goodwill merged with the southern Indiana Goodwill (based in Clarksville, IN) to form Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. The once church-based program has grown into an autonomous metropolitan organization and emerged as a leader in the Goodwill movement.

Goodwill Historic Timeline (Select the year below)

1930

The Great Depression had disrupted many lives in Indianapolis. From a basement community center, the Fletcher Place Methodist Church offered a variety of programs, such as a kindergarten, clubs and medical clinics. But what neighborhood residents needed most were jobs. The Rev. Albert Spaulding, encouraged by local church leaders, traveled to Boston to learn about the first Goodwill Industries established there in 1902. Upon his return, he established a Goodwill program.

1934

The Rev. Howard Lytle came to Indianapolis and became the first chief executive officer of the local Goodwill. In the 35 years of his leadership, he brought Goodwill out of a basement and into the forefront, becoming a leader in the field of vocational rehabilitation, nationally as well as locally. He established significant relationships with leading families in the community, and many of those relationships exist today.

Goodwill had four employees; two part-time store clerks; a part-time secretary and a church janitor, who worked part-time picking up donations. Wage was 15 cents per hour. Annual sales totaled $2,870.

1937

Goodwill Industries of Indianapolis was incorporated in the state of Indiana.

1943

In need of additional space to continue operations, Goodwill moved to the former headquarters of Diamond Chain at Senate and Washington streets.

1950s

Goodwill expanded its industrial work base and began doing subcontract jobs for local businesses.

1960

Goodwill Industries moved to its current headquarters building at 1635 W. Michigan St., the first facility in the nation to be built expressly for the use of a Goodwill organization.

1969

The Rev. Howard Lytle retired after 35 years of service, and Alan M. McNeil became the second chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Goodwill. He purchased the organization’s first computer and emphasized Goodwill as a business as well as a service organization.

The Indianapolis Goodwill was the first Goodwill in the United States and the first organization in Indiana to become accredited by CARF – the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission. We continue to be accredited.

1971

The Goodwill Industries Foundation of Central Indiana, Inc., was founded to support Goodwill Industries, aid in establishing and expanding vocational development programs in central Indiana, and award scholarships to promising students interested in careers related to Goodwill’s work.

1974

Following Alan McNeil’s untimely death, James M. McClelland became the third chief executive officer of Goodwill. The organization was re-incorporated as Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc., to better reflect its regional focus.

Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc., became the first Goodwill in the country to manufacture a commodity under the provisions of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, a program established by Congress to increase employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities.

1980

Inflation hit Indiana hard, affecting the number of jobs Goodwill could offer. From 1979 to 1982, recession caused the loss of 28,500 manufacturing jobs in Indianapolis.

At the instigation of Richard A. West, a Goodwill board member, Goodwill collaborated with the West Baking Company to supply the entire 31-person labor force to make 100,000 English muffins a day for McDonald’s. This effort continued until 1983 when the company was sold.

1986

Donated goods were decentralized, and Goodwill ceased all repair/refurbishing operations. This decentralization enabled stores to accept donations and put products on the sales floor much more quickly.

Goodwill landed a shelf-stocking service contract at the Commissary at Fort Benjamin Harrison under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Goodwill continues to maintain janitorial, grounds-keeping, shelf-stocking and mailroom service contracts with the federal government under this program, now known as AbilityOne.

1990

Goodwill opened its first suburban retail store in Hamilton County, leading to major expansion in prime suburban locations. This suburban expansion also improved the quality and quantity of donated goods that could be sold.

1996

Goodwill Guy

Goodwill launched the first of an ongoing, very successful television advertising campaign featuring the “Goodwill Guy.”

The organization began operating the Marion County iNET Centers as part of a consortium made up of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, and the Indiana Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. The Marion County Office of Family and Children was later added to the consortium referred to as WorkOne.

1997

Auto Donation Goodwill started an auto donation program to increase revenues for its mission services.

2002

ISO Certification Goodwill’s Commercial Services Division obtained its first ISO certification. ISO is an internationally recognized quality management system, and this certification recognized Goodwill’s ability to meet the stringent business standards established by the International Organization for Standardization. Today, the division is certified to ISO 9001:2008 standards.

2004

On Aug. 24, Goodwill opened Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a public mayor-sponsored charter high school, where students focus on college and career readiness. Nearly 300 students currently attend.

2005

Goodwill opened its first Goodwill Outlet Store, where clothing, housewares, glassware and toys are sold by the pound.

Goodwill celebrated 75 years in central Indiana with a Mega Sale, an historic donor recognition event at the church where Goodwill began, and a gala Little Black Dress Ball.

2006

Commercial Services

Goodwill’s Commercial Services moved to a new 80,000-square-foot facility that included more than 30,000 square feet of high-clearance storage with another 30,000 square feet of space available for future expansion.

2008

First Graduation Class

The first class of 44 students graduated from Indianapolis Metropolitan High School in May.

The class of 2008 received $200,000 in scholarships and grants. 95% of the students who graduated were accepted to at least one college or other post-secondary institution.

2010

The Excel Center On Sept. 7, Goodwill opened The Excel Center, a mayor-sponsored public charter school, to provide adults the opportunity and support to earn a high school diploma and begin post-secondary education.

2011

In November, Goodwill began implementing Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a national, community health program recognized for increasing health care access to new moms and improving health outcomes. Of all the NFP implementing agencies in some 40 states, we were the only Goodwill and the only implementing agency in Indiana.

2015

Following the retirement of longtime President and CEO Jim McClelland, Goodwill’s board of directors named Kent A. Kramer as President and CEO in April. Kramer formerly served as Vice President of Retail Operations and, later, Chief Operating Officer.

2016

In February, Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership celebrated the 1,000th baby born into the program, signifying a milestone in Goodwill’s efforts to improve the lives of Hoosier families and children. In August, the organization announced a merger with Goodwill of Southern Indiana, to become effective on New Year’s Day, 2017.

2017

On January 1, the central Indiana Goodwill and southern Indiana Goodwill merger became effective, and Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana was born. The organization, based in Indianapolis, serves 39 counties.

2019

Prior to the completion of Riverview Apartments in 2019, there were few opportunities for middle-income earners who desired living in or near downtown Indianapolis. Constructed at the corner of West Michigan Street and White River Parkway, Riverview was built by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana in partnership with Strategic Capital Partners to provide more housing options to professionals working in fields that are essential to the city, including hospitals, schools, public safety and more. The community includes more than 200 units.

2020

In the spring of 2020, we asked community members to support an emergency fund to give immediate assistance to Goodwill and the people we serve. Donors made it possible for thousands of furloughed workers to keep their health insurance through store closures and for health and education programs to quickly adapt to a new virtual environment. Financial gifts totaled over $480,000 and had an immediate impact on our community.

2021

Goodwill and Cook partner to build a new manufacturing facility in the historically underserved neighborhoods surrounding 38th and Sheridan. The building was constructed with 100% minority-owned businesses and will employ 100 individuals from the surrounding area. Employees are supported with significant coaching and wrap-around support, along with community resources like the forthcoming Indy Fresh Market grocery store.

2023

In 2023, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana announced that it is bringing mission services to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Across Puerto Rico, thousands of adults and families live on the margins. Goodwill’s evidence-based mission programs address many of the barriers these individuals face. We have provided critical mission services to our most vulnerable Hoosiers for over 90 years, developing and refining our mission to include employment, job training, adult education, maternal health care and more. This expertise was central to the decision for Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana to bring mission services to Puerto Rico.

Indy Fresh Market — a full-service grocery store — opened on Indy’s north east side, in a neighborhood previously identified as a food desert. Employees are eligible to receive wraparound services from Goodwill that include basic needs as well as job training, access to industry-recognized certifications, education, financial literacy and more.

2025

Goodwill’s first store in Puerto Rico (Escorial) opened with record-breaking first-day sales of more than $35,000. Today, the site employs more than 50 individuals and has received strong support from government officials, local organizations and the community.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana merges with Goodwill of Central Illinois, expanding our geographic reach and building on decades of expertise in retail operations, workforce development and community services. This merger allows us to serve more individuals in more places with programs designed to help them achieve stability and independence.

Goodwill merges with Horizon House, building on their foundation of being a trusted provider of services for individuals experiencing homelessness. By joining forces, we are ensuring those vital services not only continue, but grow. Together, we are creating stronger pathways to housing, employment, health services and long-term success for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.