Happy Birthday Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest. Today, we celebrate the 85th anniversary of our founding in Spokane in 1939.Â
When we were first established as the Inland Empire Goodwill, our organization was:
Housed in a small wooden shack in downtown Spokane, Washington. This is where our Administrative Building currently resides.
43 dollars in debt, which would equate to around $942 today.
“Staffed” by Rev. Estabrook, his wife, and his two daughters.
Provided job training through donation processing and sorting, retail work, looming, and repair of donated items.
The landscape today of the needs of people in eastern Washington and north Idaho has evolved since we first opened our doors on December 5th, 1939.
Employment requirements of today have evolved significantly. Advancing technology and digital skills change how we shop, communicate, and apply for jobs. Every day there are growing housing needs and greater needs for financial sustainability programs.
Goodwill is able to empower individuals throughout eastern Washington and northern Idaho thanks to our donors, shoppers, team members, and community partners.
Join us during our year long 85th anniversary celebration in 2025!
Do you know someone who was helped through one of our programs or who worked at Goodwill? We’d love to see any photos or hear from you by emailing discovergoodwill@giin.org.