BVU, Goodwill of the Heartland Establish Strategic Partnership
Through a collaboration with Buena Vista University. Goodwill of the Heartland offers educational benefits to its employees and their eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Goodwill of the Heartland have aligned as Strategic Partners, providing new opportunities to transform the communities both entities serve.
This partnership allows for employees of Goodwill of the Heartland, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost per credit hour while enrolled in BVU’s convenient online undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost of education for students enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus.
“This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in advancing our mission to help people reach their full potential by expanding access to opportunity, support, and growth,” says Kris Lehman, Vice President for Human Resources at Goodwill of the Heartland.
Goodwill of the Heartland, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, operates 25 locations across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and employs around 800 people. For more than 60 years, the organization has supported communities in these regions by helping individuals reach their full potential through education, training, and the power of work.
In addition to 19 retail locations, it supports local communities through employment services, community-supported living, and Day Habilitation programs. Through its physical and virtual employment centers, Goodwill of the Heartland helps individuals find jobs, gain job training and career advice, and advance in their careers. Its community-supported living and Day Habilitation programs help individuals with barriers build functional life skills and work toward greater independence.
“Everything we do is rooted in people – their potential, their growth, and their ability to thrive in their communities. This partnership reflects that commitment by expanding access to education and creating new opportunities for the individuals we serve and our team members,” said Lehman. “We are grateful to partner with Buena Vista University, whose shared commitment to education and opportunity strengthens the impact we can make together. By investing in learning and growth, we are helping people build stronger futures while supporting the vitality of our communities.”
“We’re honored to partner with Goodwill of the Heartland to create more accessible pathways to higher education,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “This initiative goes beyond academics, it’s about supporting individuals and their families as they build meaningful careers and develop new skills while contributing to their communities.”
For more information about BVU’s Strategic Partnerships and partner opportunities, please visit the BVU website at bvu.edu/strategic-partnerships or contact Strategic Partnerships at StrategicPartnerships@bvu.edu.