Goodwill Industries International is one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in the United States. It operates thousands of thrift stores and provides job training, employment services, and community programs to millions of people every year.
But many people wonder — how much does the CEO of Goodwill actually make?
There are a lot of myths and rumors floating around the internet about Goodwill’s CEO salary. In this detailed guide, we break down the real numbers, debunk common myths, and explain how Goodwill’s executive compensation actually works.
Quick Answer
- CEO: Steven C. Preston
- Title: President and CEO, Goodwill Industries International
- Total Compensation (2024): $722,549 – $724,605
- Total Compensation (2023): $650,989 – $661,016
- Organization Type: Nonprofit (501(c)(3))
- Charity Navigator Rating: 4 out of 4 Stars
Who Is Steven C. Preston? Goodwill’s CEO
Steven C. Preston serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries International. He leads the national organization that supports a vast network of 155+ independent, community-based Goodwill organizations across the United States and Canada.
Career Before Goodwill
Before joining Goodwill, Steven Preston had an impressive career in both the public and private sectors.
He served as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President George W. Bush. He also held the role of Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
In the private sector, Preston held senior leadership positions at Oakleaf Waste Management and ServiceMaster, gaining deep experience in operations, business strategy, and community-focused services.
His Role at Goodwill
As CEO, Preston oversees the national organization that provides:
- Strategic direction for the entire Goodwill network
- Brand management and national marketing
- Advocacy for workforce development policies
- Training and resources for local Goodwill organizations
It’s important to understand that Goodwill Industries International is the umbrella organization. The actual stores and programs are run by independent local Goodwill affiliates, each with their own CEO and board of directors.
Goodwill CEO Salary: Full Compensation Breakdown
Now let’s get into the real numbers that everyone is searching for.
All compensation data for Goodwill comes from IRS Form 990 filings, which are public documents that every nonprofit must file annually.
Fiscal Year 2024 Compensation
According to the most recent Form 990 filing and compensation tracking sources, Steven C. Preston earned a total compensation of approximately $722,549 to $724,605 for fiscal year 2024.
This represents a notable increase from his 2023 compensation.
Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation
For fiscal year 2023, Preston’s total compensation was reported at $650,989 to $661,016, depending on the source and how different components are calculated.
Fiscal Year 2022 Compensation
His 2022 total compensation was also reported at approximately $650,989, suggesting his pay remained relatively stable before the 2024 increase.
Goodwill CEO Salary Table
Here is a clear year-by-year breakdown of Steven C. Preston’s compensation:
| Year | Base Compensation | Total Compensation | Source |
| 2024 | ~$600,000+ | $722,549 – $724,605 | IRS Form 990 / PaddockPost |
| 2023 | ~$550,000+ | $650,989 – $661,016 | IRS Form 990 / ProPublica |
| 2022 | ~$550,000+ | $650,989 | IRS Form 990 |
Other Top Executives at Goodwill International (2024)
| Executive | Title | Total Compensation |
| Steven C. Preston | CEO | $724,605 |
| David Eagles | COO | $486,576 |
| Martin Scaglione | Chief Mission Officer | $399,184 |
| Onney Crawley | Chief Financial Officer | $375,720 |
Source: PaddockPost Executive Compensation Report
How Is Goodwill CEO Pay Determined?
Unlike for-profit companies, Goodwill is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Executive compensation is determined differently.
Board Oversight
The Board of Directors at Goodwill Industries International sets the CEO’s salary. The board uses several factors to determine fair compensation:
- Organization size and revenue
- Comparable nonprofit CEO salaries
- Community impact and mission fulfillment
- Leadership performance and strategic goals
IRS Oversight
All nonprofit executive salaries are reported on IRS Form 990, which is a public document. This means anyone can look up exactly how much Goodwill’s CEO earns.
The IRS requires that nonprofit executive compensation be “reasonable and not excessive” based on comparable organizations.
Transparency
Goodwill publishes its Form 990 directly on its website for public inspection. This level of transparency is a key reason the organization maintains a 4 out of 4 Star rating on Charity Navigator.
Debunking the Mark Curran Myth
One of the biggest myths about Goodwill’s CEO salary has been circulating online since 2007. Let’s set the record straight.
The Rumor
A viral email and social media post claimed that a man named “Mark Curran” is the CEO of Goodwill and earns $2.3 million per year. The post also claimed he “owns” Goodwill.
The Truth
This is completely false.
Here are the facts:
- No one named Mark Curran has ever worked for or owned Goodwill.
- Goodwill is a nonprofit organization — it cannot be “owned” by any individual.
- No CEO in the entire Goodwill system has ever earned millions of dollars as an annual salary. Ever.
- The current CEO, Steven C. Preston, earned $724,605 in 2024 — far less than $2.3 million.
- This rumor originated from a fake chain email in 2007 and has been debunked repeatedly by Goodwill and fact-checking organizations.
If you see this claim shared on social media, now you know the truth. It’s a myth.
How Does Goodwill CEO Salary Compare to Other Nonprofit CEOs?
To put Steven Preston’s compensation in perspective, let’s compare it to CEOs of other major nonprofit organizations.
| CEO | Organization | Total Compensation (Approx.) |
| Steven C. Preston | Goodwill Industries International | $724,605 |
| Gail McGovern | American Red Cross | ~$700,000+ |
| Claire Babineaux-Fontenot | Feeding America | ~$600,000+ |
| Suzanne McCormick | YMCA of the USA | ~$800,000+ |
| Matt Darling | Salvation Army USA | ~$200,000+ |
Preston’s compensation is in line with other major nonprofit CEOs who lead organizations of similar size and scope.
Goodwill’s network generates billions of dollars in combined revenue across all its local affiliates. The national organization alone reported revenue of approximately $30+ million in its most recent filing.
For more nonprofit CEO salary comparisons, check out our posts on Salvation Army CEO salary and YMCA CEO salary.
Local Goodwill CEO Salaries: They Vary Widely
Here’s something most people don’t realize about Goodwill.
Goodwill is not one single organization. It’s a network of 155+ independent local Goodwill organizations, each with its own CEO, board of directors, and compensation structure.
Why Local CEO Pay Varies
Local Goodwill CEO compensation depends on:
- Annual revenue of the local organization
- Number of employees managed
- Geographic region and cost of living
- Community impact and services provided
- Board decisions at the local level
Examples of Local CEO Pay
Some CEOs of large regional Goodwill organizations earn over $700,000 annually. These are typically organizations with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and thousands of employees.
Smaller local Goodwill organizations may pay their CEOs significantly less — sometimes in the $150,000 to $300,000 range.
Each local organization files its own IRS Form 990, so this information is publicly available for every Goodwill affiliate in the country.
Goodwill’s Mission and Impact
Understanding CEO compensation also requires understanding what Goodwill actually does with its money.
By the Numbers
- 155+ local organizations across the U.S. and Canada
- 3,300+ retail stores nationwide
- Helped 1.5+ million people find employment annually
- $6.9+ billion in combined annual revenue across the network
- 4 out of 4 Stars on Charity Navigator
Where Does the Money Go?
Goodwill’s mission is workforce development. The revenue from thrift store sales funds:
- Job training programs
- Career counseling and placement services
- Youth mentoring programs
- Services for people with disabilities
- Veterans employment programs
According to Goodwill, approximately 87 cents of every dollar goes directly toward mission-related programs and services.
This is well above the threshold that most charity watchdog organizations consider acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Goodwill CEO make?
Steven C. Preston, the CEO of Goodwill Industries International, earned a total compensation of approximately $724,605 for fiscal year 2024.
Does Mark Curran own Goodwill?
No. Mark Curran has never owned or worked for Goodwill. This is a false internet rumor that has been circulating since 2007. Goodwill is a nonprofit and cannot be owned by any individual.
Is the Goodwill CEO overpaid?
Preston’s compensation is in line with CEOs of comparable nonprofit organizations. Goodwill’s network generates billions in revenue and serves millions of people. The salary is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors and reported publicly on IRS Form 990.
Where can I find Goodwill’s financial records?
Goodwill publishes its IRS Form 990 on its official website at goodwill.org. You can also find it on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer.
Key Takeaways
Before we wrap up, here are the most important points from this post:
- Steven C. Preston is the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, earning $724,605 in total compensation for fiscal year 2024.
- His 2023 compensation was approximately $650,989 to $661,016, meaning his pay increased roughly 11% year-over-year.
- Goodwill is a network of 155+ independent local organizations, not a single company. Each local Goodwill has its own CEO with varying compensation.
- The viral claim that “Mark Curran” owns Goodwill and makes $2.3 million is completely false — it’s a debunked internet hoax from 2007.
- All Goodwill executive compensation is publicly disclosed through IRS Form 990 filings.
- Goodwill maintains a 4 out of 4 Star rating on Charity Navigator, reflecting strong financial health and transparency.
- Approximately 87 cents of every dollar Goodwill earns goes toward mission-related programs like job training and employment services.
Conclusion
If you searched for “Goodwill CEO salary,” the answer is clear and fully documented in public records.
Steven C. Preston earned approximately $724,605 in total compensation for fiscal year 2024. This is a reasonable salary for the leader of one of the largest nonprofit networks in the world.
The Mark Curran rumor is completely false. No one “owns” Goodwill, and no Goodwill CEO has ever earned millions of dollars in annual salary.
Goodwill’s compensation practices are transparent, board-approved, and publicly reported through IRS filings. The organization continues to earn top ratings from charity watchdog groups.
Every dollar you spend at a Goodwill store helps fund job training, career services, and community programs for people who need them most. That’s the real story behind Goodwill.