Have you seen the viral post claiming the CEO of Goodwill makes $2.3 million a year? It’s a rumor that has circulated for years, sparking outrage and skepticism among donors. But is it true? Let’s uncover the real numbers.

This article provides a data-driven, comprehensive answer to the questions surrounding the Goodwill CEO’s salary and net worth. We’ll cut through the myths and controversies to reveal the facts, looking at official tax filings, career history, and how this role compares to other major nonprofits.

We will explore Steve Preston’s actual salary, his estimated net worth, how his pay compares to other major nonprofits, and the truth behind the viral rumors that just won’t die.

Who is Steve Preston, the CEO of Goodwill Industries International?

Steven C. Preston is the current President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International (GII), the umbrella organization that supports a network of 150 independent Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada.

Preston has an extensive background in both the private and public sectors. Before joining Goodwill in 2019, he served as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). His private sector experience includes roles as the CFO of two Fortune 500 companies, Waste Management and ServiceMaster.

It is crucial to understand that Preston leads the international organization (GII), which provides branding, support, and standards to the entire network. He does not directly manage the thousands of local Goodwill retail stores you see in your community; those are operated by autonomous regional organizations.

What is the Goodwill CEO’s Salary? A Look at the Official Data

Contrary to popular belief, the financial details of nonprofit organizations are remarkably transparent. CEO compensation is public information, disclosed annually on IRS Form 990. These documents are accessible to anyone online through services like ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer.

Based on these public filings, we can see Steve Preston’s total compensation for the past several years. It is nowhere near the rumored $2.3 million figure.

Note: The 2019 figure was higher due to a one-time signing and performance bonus. His consistent annual compensation is in the $650,000–$750,000 range. Sources: IRS Form 990 public filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.

This salary is for leading the GII parent organization, which reported revenues of $92.6 million in 2024. It is not for managing the entire $8.6 billion network of combined Goodwill agencies.

Estimating Steve Preston’s Net Worth: A Career-Based Analysis

While his exact net worth is a private matter, a credible estimate can be constructed based on his long and high-profile career. The most reliable public figure comes from a 2007 financial disclosure when he was the Administrator of the SBA, which placed his net worth at approximately $11.1 million.

Given his subsequent roles as HUD Secretary and CEO of several companies before joining Goodwill, it is reasonable to assume his net worth remains in the $10–15 million range today. This wealth was primarily accumulated during his nearly 25 years in the private sector, including leadership roles at investment banks and as a C-level executive for major corporations.

His net worth is not derived from Goodwill’s donations or store sales. As a nonprofit, Goodwill has no stock or equity, so its CEO’s wealth is not tied to the organization’s value in the way a for-profit CEO’s might be.

How Does Goodwill’s CEO Pay Compare to Other Major Nonprofits?

To properly evaluate the CEO’s salary, it’s essential to compare it to other nonprofits of similar size and complexity. Running a multi-billion dollar international operation, even a nonprofit one, requires a high level of executive talent that commands a competitive salary.

Here’s how Steve Preston’s compensation stacks up against the leaders of other well-known charitable organizations:

As the data shows, Preston’s salary is well within the typical range for leaders of large, complex nonprofit organizations. The Salvation Army is a notable outlier because its leadership structure is clergy-based, with compensation reflecting that unique model.

Debunking the Myth: The “Mark Curran” $2.3 Million Hoax

The most persistent rumor about Goodwill is the claim that its “owner and CEO Mark Curran” makes $2.3 million a year. This is unequivocally false.

This claim originated in a viral chain email and social media post from over 15 years ago titled “Think Before You Donate.” The post contained a mix of true and false information about several nonprofits. The section on Goodwill was entirely fabricated.

Here are the facts. First, Goodwill has no owner — it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Second, there has never been a Goodwill CEO named Mark Curran. The current CEO is Steve Preston. Third, the CEO’s salary is not $2.3 million — as shown by public tax filings, the figure is significantly lower.

This myth has been repeatedly debunked by fact-checkers and by Goodwill itself, but it continues to circulate due to the power of social media sharing. When in doubt, the IRS Form 990 is always the authoritative source.

The Other Side: Goodwill’s Sub-Minimum Wage Controversy

While the CEO salary rumors are false, not all criticisms of Goodwill are unfounded. A legitimate and significant controversy involves its use of the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, also known as Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

This federal provision allows certain employers to pay workers with disabilities a wage that is less than the federal minimum wage. The pay is based on their individual productivity compared to workers without disabilities.

For decades, some local Goodwill organizations have used this certificate to provide employment opportunities to individuals with severe disabilities who may not otherwise find work. However, the practice has drawn sharp criticism from disability advocates who argue it is exploitative and perpetuates poverty.

In response to public pressure and changing views, many local Goodwill organizations have voluntarily stopped using the 14(c) certificate and now pay all employees at or above the minimum wage. However, the practice has not been eliminated throughout the entire network, and the debate over its use is ongoing. As of 2025, 16 states have phased out the sub-minimum wage for disabled workers entirely.

Conclusion: Is the Goodwill CEO Overpaid?

Based on the evidence, the claim that the Goodwill CEO is excessively paid is largely unfounded and fueled by viral misinformation. Steve Preston’s actual compensation is in the high six-figures, a figure consistent with the leadership demands of a multi-billion dollar global nonprofit and in line with the pay at comparable organizations like the American Red Cross and United Way.

His personal net worth, estimated to be in the low eight figures, is a result of a long career in the private and public sectors, not his current role at Goodwill.

The salary is set by a volunteer board of directors, which uses market data to attract and retain the executive talent needed to run such a vast and complex social enterprise.

For donors, the more relevant debate is not about the CEO’s salary but about the organization’s practices on the ground. The controversy surrounding the sub-minimum wage for disabled workers is a far more substantive issue for those concerned with the ethical impact of their donations.

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Last modified: March 6, 2026