You’ve seen the memes. They usually feature a grainy photo of a guy in a suit with a caption claiming the "CEO of Goodwill" makes $2.3 million a year while paying workers pennies. It’s the kind of stuff that goes viral because it makes us angry. Honestly, though? Most of those posts are flat-out wrong. If you’re looking for the CEO of Goodwill pay, you have to understand that "Goodwill" isn't just one giant company.
It’s a massive network of 150+ independent organizations.
When people talk about Goodwill Industries International (GII), they’re usually talking about the "mothership" based in Rockville, Maryland. This is the trade association that provides support and branding for all those local stores you see in your neighborhood. Steven C. Preston is currently the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. He’s not a mystery man; he’s a former Secretary of HUD and a former head of the Small Business Administration. He took the reins in 2019.
But here is where it gets tricky: his salary doesn't represent every Goodwill boss in the country. Not even close.
Decoding the CEO of Goodwill Pay and Those Viral Rumors
The internet loves a villain. For years, a specific email chain and Facebook post claimed a man named Mark Curran was the owner of Goodwill and made $2.3 million. Reality check: Mark Curran doesn't exist. He’s never been the CEO. The rumor actually confused Goodwill with other entities or just invented a name out of thin air.
According to the most recent IRS Form 990 filings—which are public record because Goodwill is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—the compensation for the top executive at GII generally hovers between $500,000 and $750,000. For a massive international brand, that’s actually somewhat standard, though it’s certainly a lot of money compared to the people sorting clothes in the back.
Wait. There’s a catch.
Because Goodwill is decentralized, the "CEO of Goodwill pay" varies wildly by zip code. The CEO of Goodwill NYNJ (New York and New Jersey) manages a much larger budget and a more expensive cost of living than the CEO of a small Goodwill branch in rural Montana. In 2022, Katy Gaul-Stigge, the CEO of the NYNJ branch, earned significantly more than some of her peers in smaller markets because she was overseeing a massive, multi-million dollar operation in one of the world's most expensive cities.
It’s basically like comparing a franchise owner to the corporate headquarters.
Why the Pay Gap Sparks So Much Outrage
The real tension isn't just about the CEO's six-figure salary. It’s about Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a decades-old law that allows employers to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage.
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People see the CEO of Goodwill pay numbers and then hear about workers making $3.00 an hour, and they lose it. Rightfully so, in many cases. However, it’s worth noting that Goodwill Industries International has actually been pushing its local members to move away from 14(c) certificates. Most Goodwill locations now pay at or above the local minimum wage.
In fact, the national organization reported that the vast majority of their employees are now on a standard wage scale. But because each local Goodwill is its own legal entity with its own Board of Directors, change happens at different speeds. Some local CEOs have fought to keep the sub-minimum wage because they argue it provides jobs to people who otherwise wouldn't be hired anywhere else. Others think it’s an outdated, exploitative practice.
The nuance is everywhere. You can't just paint the whole organization with one brush.
Comparing the Numbers to Other Nonprofits
Is the CEO of Goodwill pay excessive? To answer that, you have to look at the "competition."
If you look at the American Red Cross or United Way, their top executives often earn in the high six figures or even over a million dollars. Brian Gallagher, the former head of United Way Worldwide, famously earned over $1.5 million in total compensation before he resigned. Compared to that, the head of Goodwill International's $500k-$700k range looks almost... modest?
Maybe.
But it still feels weird to people. When you drop off your old VCR and a bag of stained T-shirts, you want to feel like you're helping the poor, not funding a luxury SUV for an executive. The reality of "Big Charity" is that to run a billion-dollar logistics and retail operation, these boards believe they need to hire people with corporate-level experience. And corporate-level talent expects corporate-level pay.
The Local Breakdown: What the 990s Tell Us
If you really want to get into the weeds of the CEO of Goodwill pay, you have to look at the local 990 filings. Let’s look at a few examples from recent years to see the disparity:
Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana is one of the largest and most innovative branches. Their leadership often earns more because they run charter schools and maternal health programs in addition to thrift stores. Their CEO compensation reflects a much more complex business model than just selling used jeans.
Conversely, a CEO at a Goodwill in a mid-sized city in the South might make $150,000. That’s a massive gap.
The "CEO of Goodwill" is actually 150 different people.
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Actionable Steps for Donors and Critics
Don’t just get mad at a meme. If you’re worried about where your donations are going, you have the power to check.
First, use Charity Navigator or GuideStar. These sites scrape the IRS data so you don't have to read the raw tax forms. You can search for the specific Goodwill in your city. Look at the "Administrative Expenses" percentage. If they’re spending 90% of their money on programs and 10% on overhead/salaries, they’re doing a great job.
Second, look at the local impact. Does your local Goodwill offer job training? Do they have a "Excel Center" (their high school for adults)? The CEO’s pay is only one metric. If that CEO is making $400,000 but has helped 5,000 people in your city get high-paying tech jobs, the ROI is actually pretty good.
Third, ask about the sub-minimum wage. If you want to be an activist, call your local Goodwill and ask if they use 14(c) certificates to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage. If they do, tell them why that bothers you.
The CEO of Goodwill pay discussion is often a gateway to a much more important conversation about how we value labor and what "charity" should actually look like in 2026. Salaries are public. The data is there. Use it.