Goodwill Hawaii announced today that it has received a $5 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, a much-needed investment that comes as Hawaii faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. The gift will help Goodwill Hawaii enhance its efforts to support the growing need for more job training and employment services as shifts in the labor market has changed the demands for targeted skills. Since March, Goodwill has helped nearly 2,000 individuals whose jobs were impacted by the pandemic to get the assistance and resources needed to support themselves and their families.
“We are honored and grateful to Ms. Scott for recognizing the value of our mission and trusting us to be good stewards of this gift for the benefit of the Hawaii community,” said Katy Chen, Goodwill Hawaii president and CEO. “After such an economically challenging year for nonprofits this gift will provide us the financial stability to help the people of Hawaii weather the pandemic and get back to work.”
Goodwill Hawaii’s programs range from job readiness and educational advancement to financial literacy and other support services for the state’s most vulnerable populations including low-income families, at-risk youth, adults with disabilities, immigrants and others. In addition to its core offerings, Goodwill Hawaii launched a new COVID-19 support service earlier this year to help families in need with applying for unemployment benefits, emergency financial aid, alternate health care coverage and other public assistance.
“There is a lot of work to be done to help the community bounce back from the economic setbacks brought on by the pandemic, and we are committed to using these significant financial resources to positively impact the people of Hawaii now and for years to come,” Chen added.
Goodwill Hawaii is one of four Hawaii nonprofits selected for this honor, along with the Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Meals on Wheels, and the YWCA O’ahu. Ms. Scott donated $4.2 billion to 384 nonprofits in 2020 during her second year of giving after signing the Giving Pledge, where she committed to donating most of her wealth during her lifetime. Each nonprofit was rigorously vetted and included 47 Goodwills across America, of which Goodwill Hawaii is among them.
