Goodwill in Louisiana is a network of nonprofit thrift stores, donation sites and job-training programs. It is not a state-run agency. From Shreveport in the northwest to Chalmette just below New Orleans, the blue Goodwill logo marks places where people drop off used goods, shop for low-cost clothing and furniture, and sometimes get help finding work. This page explains how that network is organised, how city and rural service differ, and how to get something done at your nearest location.

How Goodwill Is Organised in Louisiana

Goodwill Industries International is the national membership body, but it does not run local stores. Each regional Goodwill is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its own board, leadership team and service territory. In Louisiana, several separate organizations cover different parts of the state. A store in Shreveport and a store in Lafayette may share a name and a mission. They can still follow different donation rules, pricing habits and program schedules.

No single Louisiana agency licenses or manages Goodwill. Oversight comes from several directions instead. The IRS governs tax-exempt status. The state attorney general's office handles complaints about charitable fundraising. Parish and city governments control zoning and permits for stores and donation sites. Retail purchases are taxed like any other shop sale, so sales tax is added at the register.

Job-training work connects to state government more directly. The Louisiana Workforce Commission runs the state's American Job Centers and its online job-matching system. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, which helps people with disabilities prepare for and keep work, sits within that same agency. Goodwill career programs often operate alongside these public services. A Goodwill staff member may point you to an American Job Center, and an American Job Center may point you to Goodwill.

One naming point is worth knowing. Louisiana has parishes, not counties. Our directory uses the label "county" on every state page so the structure stays consistent nationwide. When you see Caddo Parish County or Orleans County here, it means the parish of that name.

Goodwill Locations in Shreveport, Acadiana and the New Orleans Area

The largest clusters follow the state's biggest population centers. In the northwest, Shreveport and Bossier City form one shopping area split by the Red River. Goodwill Shreveport is at 6020 Linwood Avenue and can be reached at 318-629-0400. Across the river, Goodwill Bossier City is at 4000 Airline Drive, phone 318-212-0633. Our database counts 14 listings in Caddo Parish County and 6 in Bossier County, so many neighborhoods have a location within a short drive.

Acadiana has the densest coverage in the state. Lafayette County holds 16 listings, more than any other parish in our data. Goodwill Lafayette sits at 2000 West Pinhook Road, phone 337-233-2711. Smaller-town locations fill in around it, including Goodwill Scott at 911 Alfred Street, Goodwill Broussard at 1214 Albertson Parkway and Goodwill Carencro at 115 Derek Plaza Drive. Because so many sit close together, it is easy to compare two or three stores on one trip.

The New Orleans area is split by the Mississippi River, and that matters for planning. Goodwill New Orleans is at 4400 Dauphine Street in Orleans County, phone 504-948-4975. In Jefferson Parish County, Goodwill Metairie is at 480 Metairie Road and Goodwill Harvey is at 2150 Westbank Expressway. Harvey is on the West Bank, so it suits residents there better than a store on the East Bank. Goodwill Chalmette, at 8710 West Judge Perez Drive, serves St. Bernard Parish.

Other metro areas have smaller footprints. Goodwill Baton Rouge is at 10778 Coursey Boulevard, phone 225-295-1921. Goodwill Lake Charles is at 3230 Highway 14 East, phone 337-479-1911. On the Northshore, Goodwill Covington is at 790 North Highway 190 and Goodwill Slidell is at 184 Gause Boulevard West, both in St. Tammany County.

Goodwill in Rural Louisiana Parishes and Smaller Towns

Outside the metro areas, a parish often has just one Goodwill. That changes how you plan a visit. A single store may serve several surrounding parishes, and some residents drive a good distance to reach it. Public transit is limited in much of rural Louisiana. A car, or a ride from a neighbor, is usually the practical way to donate or shop.

Mid-sized hubs anchor these areas. Goodwill Monroe at 2808 Evangeline Street serves the Ouachita River corridor in the northeast. Goodwill Alexandria at 5216 Jackson Street covers central Louisiana. Goodwill Natchitoches at 312 2nd Street serves the northwest-central part of the state. Goodwill Opelousas at 1308 Creswell Lane and Goodwill New Iberia at 1003 East Admiral Doyle Drive serve the prairie and the Teche country.

Smaller towns also have their own listings. These include Goodwill Abbeville, Goodwill Bastrop, Goodwill Breaux Bridge, Goodwill DeRidder, Goodwill Hammond and Goodwill Houma. Each has its own address and phone number in our listings. Smaller stores tend to have a narrower selection than the big metro locations, and their donation hours can be shorter. A quick call saves a wasted trip, especially if you are hauling furniture or several boxes.

Rural stores also reflect local needs. Work clothes, school clothes and basic household items move quickly in towns where the nearest big-box retailer is a long drive away. If you are looking for a specific item, such as a bed frame or a work uniform, calling ahead is the most reliable way to find out what is on the floor.

Donating, Shopping and Job Help: What to Expect in Louisiana

Most Goodwill locations in Louisiana work the same basic way, though details vary by region. Use this checklist before you go:

Tax rules come from the IRS, not from Louisiana Goodwill organizations. If your total noncash gifts for the year pass $500, you generally need to file Form 8283 with your return. Keep your receipts, and ask a tax preparer about larger or more valuable gifts.

For job help, start with your nearest Goodwill by phone. If it does not offer career services, the Louisiana Workforce Commission's American Job Centers are a free public alternative. Both options can help with resumes, job searches and training referrals, so it is worth asking each one what it offers locally.

Goodwill organizations in Louisiana operate thrift stores, donation centers, and career service locations that generate funding for workforce development programs helping residents overcome barriers to employment.

Goodwill locations are available in 48 cities across Louisiana. They are spread across 31 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Shreveport, Lafayette, New Orleans, which have the highest store density reflecting strong donor bases and demand for affordable retail and workforce services in those communities.

Residents of Louisiana can donate goods at any Goodwill location, shop in-store or online at shopgoodwill.com, and access career coaching and job training programs through Goodwill's workforce development centers across the state.

Goodwill by Counties

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Residents of Louisiana can schedule large item donation pickups through their regional Goodwill organization's website. Keep your tax receipt from each donation — Goodwill donations are tax-deductible, and the IRS Form 8283 is required for non-cash charitable contributions over $500.

Browse Goodwill by county across Louisiana to find the nearest location.

Choosing the Right Goodwill Near You in Louisiana

The best Goodwill for you depends on where you live and what you need. Start with the parish. If you are in the Lafayette area, check Lafayette County, where several stores sit close together. Residents of the Northshore can look at St. Tammany County, and those in the capital region can check East Baton Rouge Parish County. Other parish pages in this directory cover Calcasieu, Ouachita, Rapides, St. Landry and Iberia.

Next, match the location to your purpose. Donating a car-load of household goods is easiest at a larger store with a clearly marked drop-off area. Looking for a specific item is easier at a metro store with a bigger floor. Asking about job services is best done by phone before you travel. Staff can tell you right away whether that site offers them. Phone numbers for each listing appear on this page and on the individual detail pages.

Finally, think about timing. After hurricanes and floods, many Louisiana households clear out damaged or surplus belongings. That can make drop-off lines longer, so a weekday visit is often calmer. Calling ahead helps in any season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Goodwill in Louisiana

No. Goodwill locations in Louisiana are run by independent nonprofit organizations that belong to the national Goodwill Industries International network. The state does not operate them or set their prices. Public oversight is spread out: the IRS covers tax-exempt status, the attorney general's office handles charitable fundraising complaints, and local governments handle zoning and permits. If you have a complaint about a store, start with the local Goodwill's management. If that does not resolve it, contact the regional organization's leadership or the appropriate public office.

In our database, Lafayette Parish leads with 16 listings, followed by Caddo Parish with 14 and Orleans Parish with 10. Jefferson Parish has 7, while Bossier and St. Tammany each have 6. These numbers reflect population and retail density, so the biggest parishes tend to have the most stores. Many other parishes have just one location. If your parish has none, check the neighboring parish, since Goodwill service areas often cross parish lines.

Yes. Staff at most locations will give you a donation receipt on request. The receipt usually lists the organization and the date but not the value, because you decide what your items are worth. Federal IRS rules apply, and Louisiana Goodwill organizations do not set them. If your noncash gifts total more than $500 in a year, you generally need to file Form 8283. Keep your receipts with your tax records and ask a tax professional about larger gifts.

Usually not. Goodwill stores resell donations, so items that are wet, moldy or contaminated by floodwater are generally turned away. Mattresses, upholstered furniture and soaked clothing are common examples. Items that stayed dry and are in good condition are normally welcome. Policies can vary by region, so call your nearest location before loading the car. For storm debris and unusable goods, check with your parish government for debris pickup or disposal instructions.

Job training and placement are central to Goodwill's mission, but the services offered differ by organization and location. Some sites run career programs, while others focus on retail and donations. Call the location nearest you and ask what is available. You can also use the Louisiana Workforce Commission's American Job Centers, which offer free job-search help across the state. People with disabilities can ask about Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, which is part of the same commission.

Louisiana is the only state that divides itself into parishes, a system with roots in its colonial history. Our directory uses one page structure for every state, so parish pages carry the "county" label in their names and web addresses. Caddo Parish County, Jefferson Parish County and East Baton Rouge Parish County are the parishes of those names. The addresses and phone numbers in each listing are real, so you can ignore the label and use the parish name.