Case Study: Goodwill of San Francisco achieves paycheck-to-paycheck relief and financial dignity with PayActiv

Bridging the Gap Between Paychecks for Goodwill Employees

Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties—a nonprofit running 20 retail stores and employing about 650 people—faced severe financial stress among low- and moderate-income staff driven by the high cost of living in the Bay Area. To help employees avoid debt spirals and reduce reliance on limited, administratively heavy pay advances, Goodwill partnered with PayActiv to provide on‑demand access to earned wages and financial services such as bank transfers, bill pay, budgeting and savings tools.

PayActiv’s platform was rolled out to give employees immediate, discreet access to wages they’ve already earned, allowing direct transfers to bank accounts or ATM withdrawals and streamlining the advance process for HR and finance. Goodwill leaders report that PayActiv improved employee financial dignity and flexibility, reduced administrative friction around advances, and served as an actionable first step toward greater financial well‑being for staff.

Goodwill

Tanya Moore

Vice President of Mission Advancement