Did You Know? How Goodwill’s Mission Supports Small Businesses!

America’s economy runs on small businesses. They make up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the U.S., and according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for two out of every three jobs added to our country’s economy. That’s a significant economic driver!

Alleviating the Labor Shortage

Small businesses have overcome many hurdles in recent years, but the latest challenge has stumped business leaders across all industries. The job market is increasingly competitive, and hiring managers are struggling to attract and retain qualified workers. As a result, open jobs often remain unfilled, and many employees are being stretched thin and experiencing burnout.

That’s where Ohio Valley Goodwill comes in! Through job skills training for individuals with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment, Goodwill provides a pathway to work. As a result of Goodwill’s vocational services, more qualified workers are added to the labor market.

The benefits are twofold: Individuals realize vocational success and independence, while small business owners gain reliable and qualified employees!

Productivity Pays Off

In 2021, Ohio Valley Goodwill placed more than 900 individuals in community employment right here in the Cincinnati region. This work helped to save nearly $4.4 million in government assistance spending, but it also resulted in the creation of hundreds of new consumers who are now helping to drive our economy forward.

Now that they’re gainfully employed, these individuals are earning a living and able to buy items that support their local economy “” everything from groceries to clothing to coffee from a community café. In many cases, these purchases support small businesses!

Empowering individuals through work benefits us all in ways that aren’t always obvious. When you support Ohio Valley Goodwill, you’re investing in the lives of others in our community ““ and the local economy.

Find all the ways you can help us continue the Goodwill mission, and choose what’s right for you. We couldn’t do what we do without you!