Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF GOODWILL OF THE FINGER LAKES IS TO PREPARE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH BARRIERS TO INDEPENDENCE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $56.6 million
- Spending
- $59.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 980
- Volunteers
- 155
- Highest pay
- $421,144, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 50% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $44.6 million spent. RETAIL: EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE OPERATION OF GOODWILL RETAIL STORES. CURRENTLY LOCATED IN MONROE, WAYNE, LIVINGSTON, ONONDAGA, ONTARIO AND TOMPKINS COUNTIES IN NEW YORK STATE, GFL COVERS A TERRITORY OF 20 COUNTIES AND IS EXPANDING TO THOSE COUNTIES IN THE COMING YEARS. GFL ALSO OPERATES AN E-COMMERCE BUSINESS, CLEARANCE CENTER AND MULTIPLE ATTENDED AND STANDALONE DONATION CENTERS AND WAREHOUSES.
- $6.1 million spent. 2-1-1/LIFELINE: IS AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM THROUGH THE ALLIANCE OF INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SYSTEMS AND AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE, EVERY DAY, ANYTIME. COMMUNITY MEMBERS GET CONNECTED WITH EXPERIENCED TELECOUNSELORS BY SIMPLY DIALING 2-1-1 FOR FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE CONNECTING TO VITAL SERVICES WITHING THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS PROVIDING CRISIS SERVICES.
- $1.2 million spent. FOOD SERVICES: COOKS AND DELIVERS MEALS TO SENIORS SITES THROUGH THE COUNTY SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM, PROVIDING MEALS FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS THAT MEET THE FEDERAL NUTRITION GUIDELINES. THE DIVISION ALSO COOKS AND DELIVERS MEALS TO CHILD DAY CARE PROGRAMS. THEY ALSO OPERATE AN IN-HOUSE CAFETERIA THAT OFFERS HOT AND COLD MEALS TO AGENCY EMPLOYEES, MANY OF WHOM ARE BLIND AND UNABLE TO GET OUT TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS FOR BREAKFAST OR LUNCH AS WELL AS HOSTING INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT OUR DONATED GOODS AND FOOD SERVICES PROGRAMS IN SERVICE TO OUR MISSION, GOODWILL DOES SO MUCH TO HELP CHANGE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM. WE PARTNER WITH AREA SCHOOLS AND LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO NEED CLOTHING, SHOES, BOOKS AND HOUSEWARES FROM OUR GOODWILL STORES. WE ALSO PROVIDE INTERVIEW AND JOB APPROPRIATE CLOTHES TO JOB SEEKERS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.