Goodwill CEOs’ salaries vary significantly depending on the size and location of the individual Goodwill organization. Here’s what we know about executive compensation at Goodwill:
Key Findings on Goodwill CEO Pay
- National Averages
- The average CEO salary across major Goodwill organizations ranges from $400,000 to over $900,000 per year .
- In 2023, the 12 largest Goodwill CEOs earned between $401,000 and $905,000, with an average of $700,000 .
- Highest-Paid Goodwill CEOs (2023 Data)
- $904,675 – Steven Lufburrow (Goodwill Industries of Houston)
- $903,027 – Keith T. Parker (Goodwill of North Georgia)
- $855,596 – Jacqueline Hallberg (Goodwill Retail Services)
- $728,982 – Jacqueline Hallberg (2020 figure, same organization)
- Goodwill Industries International (Oversight Organization)
- The CEO of Goodwill Industries International, Steven C. Preston, earned $650,989 in 2023 .
- In 2020, his compensation was $469,247 .
- Regional Variations
- Smaller Goodwill branches pay less, but top executives at major affiliates often earn $500K+.
- Example: The CEO of Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids earns an estimated $645,449 , while the CEO of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan makes $666,760 .
Why Do Goodwill CEOs Earn So Much?
- Goodwill organizations operate like large retail businesses, with some generating hundreds of millions in revenue.
- CEO pay is often tied to organizational size, revenue, and fundraising success .
- Critics argue that high executive pay contrasts with Goodwill’s mission, while supporters say competitive salaries are needed to attract skilled leaders .
Goodwill CEO salaries are comparable to other large nonprofits, with top executives at major branches earning near or above $1 million in some cases. Compensation varies by location, revenue, and organizational structure.
For exact figures, individual Goodwill affiliates disclose salaries in their IRS Form 990 filings, which are publicly available.
Here’s a breakdown of Goodwill CEO salaries by region in the U.S., based on the latest available data (2022–2023). The figures are sourced from IRS Form 990 filings and compensation reports.
1. National Overview of Goodwill CEO Pay (2023)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average CEO Salary | $700,000 |
| Highest-Paid CEO | $904,675 (Houston) |
| Lowest-Paid CEO* | $180,840 (Payscale avg.) |
| Total CEO Compensation (Top 12 Regions) | $8.4M+ |
*Note: Smaller affiliates may pay below the national average.
2. CEO Salaries by Region (Top 10 Highest-Paid)
Data Source: IRS Form 990 filings (2023 where available; 2022 otherwise).
| Region | CEO Name | Salary (2023) | Salary (2022) | Revenue (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | Steven Lufburrow | $904,675 | $904,675 | $211M |
| North Georgia | Keith T. Parker | $903,027 | $887,437 | $180M |
| Retail Services (Multi-State) | Jacqueline Hallberg | $855,596 | $835,903 | $206M |
| Southern California | Patrick McClenahan | $749,027 | $749,593 | $288M |
| Colorado | Karla Grazier | $654,581 | $518,416 | $173M |
| Goodwill Int’l (Oversight) | Steven C. Preston | $650,989 | $650,989 | $71M |
| Greater Grand Rapids, MI | N/A | $645,449 | N/A | $5M–$10M |
| West Michigan | N/A | $666,760 | N/A | $10M–$50M |
| NW Washington | Daryl Campbell | N/A | $358,807 | $98M |
| Central Arizona | N/A | N/A | $421,936 | $186M |
- Highest Pay: Texas and Georgia CEOs earn over $900K due to large revenue streams from retail operations.
- Oversight vs. Local: Goodwill International’s CEO earns $650K, less than many local CEOs.
- Revenue Correlation: Higher revenue typically aligns with higher CEO pay (e.g., Southern California: $288M revenue → $749K salary).
Salary Distribution by Region
- Southern U.S. (TX, GA): 45% of top salaries
- Western U.S. (CA, CO): 30%
- Midwest/Northeast: 25%
4. Controversies & Justifications
- Criticism: Some argue salaries conflict with Goodwill’s mission (e.g., Houston CEO’s $904K vs. avg. employee pay: $13K).
- Defense: Goodwill states competitive pay is needed to manage multi-million-dollar operations and complex logistics.
5. How to Verify
Salaries are publicly reported in IRS Form 990s for each affiliate. You can search for yourself: