Our friends at ThriftSmart are celebrating 15 years of serving the incredible people of Nashville! To continue celebrating their their amazing impact on South Nashville and far beyond, we partnered together to create a 15 Facts for 15 Years infographic.
By completely rethinking the possibilities of a thrift store business model, this organization has generated more than $650,000 in grants, donated over $400,000 to churches and community organizations, all while providing great value to customers and supporting local employees. Did you know ThriftSmart even offered full paid leave and maintained 100% employee retention throughout the COVID-19 shutdown?
Help us celebrate our wonderful friends at ThriftSmart by sharing this infographic! More details here.
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact: The ThriftSmart Story
Our friends at ThriftSmart are celebrating 15 years of serving the incredible people of Nashville! To continue celebrating their amazing impact on South Nashville and far beyond, we partnered together to create a 15 Facts for 15 Years infographic.
By completely rethinking the possibilities of a thrift store business model, this organization has generated more than $650,000 in grants, donated over $400,000 to churches and community organizations, all while providing great value to customers and supporting local employees. Did you know ThriftSmart even offered full paid leave and maintained 100% employee retention throughout the COVID-19 shutdown?
Help us celebrate our wonderful friends at ThriftSmart by sharing this infographic! More details here.
A Model for Social Enterprise
ThriftSmart isn’t just a thrift store; it’s a social enterprise that transforms lives through the power of thrifty living. Founded by Dick Gygi and Tres Scheibe, ThriftSmart was born out of a passion for serving Nashville’s community and supporting local nonprofits. The founders, who were deeply involved in various Nashville-area nonprofits, envisioned a sustainable revenue stream to support these organizations beyond traditional fundraising methods.
Since its inception, ThriftSmart has been committed to reinvesting 100% of its profits into local charities. This innovative approach not only supports the community but also promotes sustainable living. By providing high-quality, gently-used clothing, furniture, and household items, ThriftSmart helps customers save money while making a positive impact.
Supporting Local Charities
ThriftSmart’s mission is deeply rooted in community support. The organization partners with several local charities, ensuring that every dollar spent at ThriftSmart stores benefits those in need. Their primary beneficiaries include African Leadership, The Belize Project, Mercy Community Healthcare, and New Hope Academy. These partnerships allow ThriftSmart to extend its reach, providing critical support to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and community development.
In addition to its primary beneficiaries, ThriftSmart supports hundreds of other local schools, churches, and nonprofits through its GiveSmart program. This initiative enables community partners to collect donations for ThriftSmart, earning gift cards and special discounts in return. Since the program’s inception, ThriftSmart has distributed nearly $300,000 in gift cards to organizations across Nashville, further amplifying its impact.
A Hub for Community Engagement
ThriftSmart’s commitment to the community extends beyond financial support. The store on Nolensville Road serves as a vibrant hub for community engagement. Volunteers play a crucial role in ThriftSmart’s operations, helping with everything from sorting donations to assisting customers. This hands-on approach not only supports the store but also fosters a sense of community and connection among volunteers and shoppers alike.
One of ThriftSmart’s notable community initiatives is its collaboration with Sew For Hope. This program provides sewing training to refugees in Middle Tennessee, helping them develop valuable skills and create new opportunities for themselves and their families. By hosting classes and offering a supportive environment, ThriftSmart plays a key role in helping refugees integrate into their new community.
Sustainable and Ethical Practices
ThriftSmart is committed to promoting sustainable and ethical practices in all aspects of its operations. The store is 100% green, ensuring that all processes, from donation sorting to product sales, are environmentally friendly. By diverting usable items from landfills and promoting the reuse of goods, ThriftSmart contributes to a more sustainable future.
The store’s clean, organized layout offers a pleasant shopping experience, reminiscent of a high-end retail store. This attention to detail not only attracts customers but also challenges the traditional perception of thrift stores as being dusty or disorganized. At ThriftSmart, customers can find brand-name clothing, furniture, and household items at unbeatable prices, all while supporting a greater cause.
Celebrating Milestones and Looking Forward
As ThriftSmart celebrates its 15th anniversary, the organization reflects on its journey and the countless lives it has touched. From providing critical funding to local nonprofits to creating a welcoming space for community members, ThriftSmart’s impact is far-reaching and profound.
Looking ahead, ThriftSmart is committed to expanding its reach and deepening its impact. Plans for the future include opening new locations, launching additional community programs, and continuing to innovate its business model. With the support of its dedicated staff, volunteers, and customers, ThriftSmart is poised to make an even greater difference in the years to come.
How You Can Get Involved
There are many ways to support ThriftSmart’s mission and celebrate its 15 years of service:
- Shop: Visit ThriftSmart’s store on Nolensville Road to find great deals on clothing, furniture, and household items. Every purchase supports local charities and promotes sustainable living.
- Donate: Contribute your gently-used items to ThriftSmart. They accept a wide range of donations, from clothing and accessories to furniture and electronics. Donations can be dropped off at the store or at one of their convenient drop-off bins located throughout Nashville.
- Volunteer: Join ThriftSmart’s team of dedicated volunteers. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to commit to a regular schedule, your help is invaluable. Volunteers assist with various tasks, including sorting donations, organizing merchandise, and helping customers.
- Spread the Word: Share ThriftSmart’s story and mission with your friends and family. Follow them on social media, sign up for their newsletter, and participate in community events to stay connected and informed.
ThriftSmart’s 15 years of service are a testament to the power of community, innovation, and dedication. By rethinking the thrift store model, ThriftSmart has created a sustainable, impactful business that supports local charities, provides value to customers, and fosters community engagement. As they celebrate this milestone, we look forward to seeing what the next 15 years will bring for ThriftSmart and the Nashville community.
Help us celebrate our wonderful friends at ThriftSmart by sharing this story and supporting their mission. Together, we can make a difference and continue to build a brighter, more sustainable future for all. For more information, visit ThriftSmart’s website and get involved today!
And don’t miss their next big sale, 50% off their ENTIRE store! More Here!
15 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THRIFTSMART
On July 25, 2020, ThriftSmart celebrated 15 years of business! Check out 15 things you might not know about our organization, and be sure to join us on Saturday, July 25, for an anniversary celebration! We’re having a 50% off sale, $5 gift cards for the first 50 customers, free goodies, and more – including a contest to guess the weight of a bale of clothes (closest guess gets a $100 gift card)!
1. $650,000 IN GRANTS:
We Have Given More Than $650,000 In Grants To The Four Local Charities We Support: New Hope Academy, Mercy Community Healthcare, African Leadership, Inc, And The Belize Project. (Learn More About The CharitiesThat Receive 100% Of Our Profits.)
2. $400,000 TO CHURCHES/COMMUNITIES:
We Partner With More Than 260 Churches And Community Organizations, Providing Them With Over $400,000 Through Our Gift Card Program.
3. 30+ EMPLOYEES:
We Employ More Than 30 People From The Local Neighborhood Of South Nashville.
4. $9.5 MILLION:
The Jobs We’ve Created In South Nashville Have Paid $9.5 Million In Payroll Into The Community.
5. 3 MILLION POUNDS SAVED:
Three Million Pounds Of Clothing Have Been Diverted From Landfills And Recycled To Overseas Countries.
6. 9 MILLION POUNDS COLLECTED:
We Have Collected More Than Nine Million Pounds Of Clothing For Resale.
7. 352 REFUGEE GRADUATES:
We Have Taught More Than 300 Refugee Women To Sew Through The Sew For Hope Ministry. We’ve Celebrated Approximately 352 Program Graduates Who Were Trained Inside Thriftsmart. These Women Are Primarily From Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Bhutan, And Somalia. (Other Countries Represented By Those Graduates Include Honduras, Mexico, Jordan And Kurdistan.)
8. DOUBLE DUTY:
Two Of Our Store Managers Do Double Duty As Part-Time Pastors. (Also, Did You Know That ThriftSmart Gives Away Over 1,000 Bibles Per Year?)
9. 25,000+ CUSTOMER PICK-UPS:
Our Trucks Have Made More Than 25,000 Customer Pickups Throughout Davidson And Williamson County.
10. PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY:
75% Of Our Employees Are Internationals Or People Of Color.
11. GROWING PARTNERSHIPS:
Full Paid Leave & Retention: During The Store Closure Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic, We Provided Full Paid Leave To All Employees And Retained 100% Of Our Workforce.
12. 1.2 MILLION SERVED:
We Have Served Local Families With More Than 1.2 Million Customer Transactions.
13. FREE AND AFFORDABLE SCHOOL UNIFORMS:
When The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board Mandated School Uniforms For All Students, Thriftsmart Met With The Board And Offered Compliant Khaki Pants And Collared Shirts At Five For $10 In Order To Make The Requirement Affordable For All Students. When We Learned From The Board That There Were 1,200 Homeless Students In The Metro Schools, We Raised $45,000 From Private Donors To Provide New Pants And Shirts For The Homeless Students.
14. NATIONAL RECOGNITION:
The Original Idea To Franchise The ThriftSmart Model To Fund Charities Resulted In National Recognition From The Templeton Foundation And Civic Ventures; A ThriftSmart Store Was Franchised In Scottsdale, Arizona In 2008.
15. ONE OF 50 HEROES:
ThriftSmart’s Extraordinary Work In Providing For The Financial Well-Being Of Others In The State Of Tennessee Was Publicly Recognized In 2014 By Money Magazine, Who Honored Our Founder, Dick Gygi, As One Of 50 Heroes In 50 States.
Founder Dick Gygi’s travels to Africa with African Leadership were the catalyst for founding ThriftSmart as he returned from Africa 15 years ago to have his eyes opened to see poverty right here in Nashville. His vision was to develop a non-profit retail business to create jobs, serve all families in Nashville with an affordable shopping experience, and give all the profit away to support charities through a sustainable economic engine. Learn more about our story.
15 Facts for 15 Years of ThriftSmart
1. 650K+ in Grants Given
- ThriftSmart has awarded over $650,000 in grants to various causes.
2. $400K+ Given to 260+ Churches and Community Organizations
- ThriftSmart has donated over $400,000 to more than 260 churches and community organizations.
3. 30+ Local Employees
- ThriftSmart employs over 30 local individuals, contributing to the local economy.
4. $9,500,000 in Payroll
- The organization has disbursed $9,500,000 in payroll over its 15 years of operation.
5. 3,000,000 Pounds of Clothing Saved from Landfills
- ThriftSmart has diverted 3 million pounds of clothing from landfills, promoting sustainability.
6. 9,000,000 Pounds of Clothing Collected
- The organization has collected 9 million pounds of clothing, supporting their sustainability goals.
7. 75% of Employees Are Internationals or People of Color
- A significant portion of ThriftSmart’s workforce comprises internationals or people of color, emphasizing diversity.
8. 352 Refugee Graduates Through Sew For Hope Ministry
- The Sew For Hope ministry has graduated 352 refugees, offering them new skills and opportunities.
9. 25,000+ Customer Pick-Ups in Davidson & Williamson County
- ThriftSmart has completed over 25,000 customer pickups in Davidson and Williamson counties.
10. Two Store Managers Are Part-Time Pastors
- ThriftSmart’s leadership includes two store managers who also serve as part-time pastors.
11. Full Paid Leave & 100% Employee Retention Throughout COVID-19
- ThriftSmart maintained full paid leave and 100% employee retention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
12. 1.2 Million Customer Transactions
- The organization has processed 1.2 million customer transactions, highlighting its extensive customer base.
13. $45,000 Raised from Private Donors to Provide School Uniforms to Homeless Students
- ThriftSmart raised $45,000 from private donors to supply school uniforms to homeless students.
14. Business Model Recognized by The Templeton Foundation and Civic Ventures
- ThriftSmart’s innovative business model has received recognition from The Templeton Foundation and Civic Ventures.
15. In 2014 Founder Dick Gygi Named One of 50 Heroes by Money Magazine
- In 2014, ThriftSmart’s founder Dick Gygi was honored as one of 50 heroes by Money Magazine for his impactful work.
This infographic highlights the substantial impact ThriftSmart has had over its 15 years, showcasing its commitment to community support, sustainability, and diversity.
