GoodNeighbor
The GoodNeighbor program is just one way Goodwill NCW partners with community organizations. This program provides emergency assistance — on a referral basis only — to agency clients, allowing them to select products from our stores.
GoodNeighbor Program Eligibility
To be eligible, your organization must meet the following requirements:
- Be tax-exempt/a 501(c)(3) per the Internal Revenue Service code
- Be located in one of the 35 Wisconsin counties (see Program Counties) Goodwill NCW serves, and/or
- Provide emergency assistance services to individuals who reside in one of the 35 Wisconsin counties (see Program Counties) Goodwill NCW serves
- Agree to the Program Guidelines and Expectations below
- Complete and submit the Program Application below
Goodwill NCW’s counties cover: Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Washburn, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood
Assistance through the GoodNeighbor program is provided in the form of a GoodNeighbor card (voucher) that can be used to purchase items from our retail and outlet stores. These vouchers expire on Dec. 31 of the year they are distributed and do not carry a balance until they are activated in store by a cashier. View the list of stores in the Goodwill NCW region.
Once an application is received, it is reviewed to ensure it aligns with the purpose and eligibility requirements for the GoodNeighbor program. Your organization will receive either an approval or denial email after the application is reviewed. If approved, your organization will receive a letter detailing the number of cards that will be issued and next steps.
This application is used to determine program participation for the following year it is being submitted. If approved, you will receive half of the total card amount the following January and the other half the following July. If you have clients who are in immediate need, reach out to the GoodNeighbor contact below, and we will determine if we can send cards earlier.
The following expectations are required to participate in the GoodNeighbor program, if your application is approved:
- A single point of contact must be designated to determine who in your organization will be responsible for submitting all GoodNeighbor requests and will receive any communication regarding the program throughout the year your organization is active. This will eliminate duplication and streamline the process. Requests from people other than the designated contact will not be accepted.
- If your organization has multiple departments that want to be a part of the GoodNeighbor program and receive separate card distributions, all departments must submit a separate application and have a designated contact for the specific department. You may choose to submit one application for all departments, but your organization will be responsible for distributing to the various departments and we will consider it all to fall under one organization. Again, we will not accept requests regarding GoodNeighbor cards from anyone besides the designated contact for your organization.
- All GoodNeighbor requests must be submitted electronically via the application below. Requests must be submitted by representatives of nonprofit organization on behalf of their clients (see single point of contact requirement above). Requests submitted by clients will not be accepted.
- Clients may only receive one GoodNeighbor card per year; each person in a family can receive a card. (For example, a family of four could receive four cards once per year.) Distributing more than one card to one person more than once a year will be considered fraud.
- If your organization has a change for any of the fields in the application below, reach out to the GoodNeighbor contact as soon as possible.
- GoodNeighbor cards can be used for any items except the following:
- Snacks and beverages (they can be used on dry food and pantry items)
- Materials and items to replenish an organization or household
- There is a different process for this if an individual organization has a need. See your local store or outlet about a material donation, and the decision on need will be made at the store.
- If you run out of cards before the end of the year, view the link below to find another GoodNeighbor organization near you and contact them to see if they have extra cards to send. If you cannot find another organization with cards to spare, reach out to the GoodNeighbor contact.
*Note: If your organization is contacted regarding not following program guidelines and expectations more than twice, your organization will need to reapply and keep specific records of cards distributed, if reaccepted. It is not guaranteed you will be accepted back into the program if guidelines and expectations are not followed more than twice.
GoodNeighbor Partnership Application
* We are no longer accepting new GoodNeighbor partner applications for 2023. Your application will be considered for cards issues in 2024.