About The Goodis Center
The Goodis Center for Research and Reform, Inc., formally incorporated in Maryland (Department ID D14672083) in May, 2012. Our articles of incorporation are available here. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and protecting human rights.
Our History
Many of our charitable programs are continuations of earlier projects started by Robert Goodis as early as 2005. In 2005, Robert Goodis founded the Mason-Dixon Darfur Alliance, which operated until 2008. Between 2006 and 2009, Robert began operating charitable programs under the name of Robert Goodis Charities. In October 2009, Robert founded The Goodis Center for Research and Reform, LLC, which operated in New York until May 2012, when the LLC was dissolved and the Center incorporated in Maryland.
Our Future
The basic purpose of The Goodis Center, Inc., is to continue the programs which evolved into The Goodis Center over time, as well as to organize research and publications on relevant topics. Our interdisciplinary multimedia-based journal, The Journal for Human Advancement, is the first such project of ours to reach the public. The Goodis Center has worked to launch and maintain programs broadly addressing human rights, social justice, and environmental justice in various capacities. In order to broaden our impact beyond our own limits, we also partner with and provide support to existing nonprofits (such as for our international humanitarian aid efforts) and to efforts which align with our mission even if they are not formally organized as independent nonprofits (such as offering fiscal sponsorship or other services to volunteer efforts organized through social media). Additional publications, research initiatives, educational programs and other ventures are always in development.
Nonprofit Status
The IRS recognizes The Goodis Center for Research and Reform, Inc., as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization classified as a public charity under IRC 170(b)(1)(a)(vi). All or part of any donation to The Goodis Center may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Purchases of products or services are not tax deductible unless otherwise stated. Please check with your tax adviser and review our terms of use and legal disclaimers. Our determination letter is available here. You can also find us on GuideStar and similar nonprofit listing and review sites.
Mission Statement
Our official mission statement, as adopted by the Board of Directors in 2012, states:
The Goodis Center for Research and Reform, Inc., is passionately committed to creating a world that is equitable, humane, and just. We aim to do so by fostering a better understanding of human rights, raising awareness about matters of vital concern to the global community, and protecting human rights for all. Our efforts primarily take the forms of research, advocacy, direct action, publication, and education.
We are united in the pursuit of social justice.
Additionally, our Articles of Incorporation state that The Goodis Center is “a dedicated human rights organization founded for the purposes of research, advocacy, and the publication of academic and educational materials.”
About Our Research and Advocacy
As an organization we are interested in keeping our audience informed of current events related to human rights the world over; in terms of research, policy proposals, and advocacy, we focus primarily on domestic human rights reform.
Our major areas of concern include:
- Systemic discrimination and institutionalized power differentials,1 including, but not limited to such examples as:
- Classism, sexism, racism, Islamophobia, etc.
- Law enforcement, corrections, immigration detention, etc.
- Social Policy:
- Welfare, healthcare, etc.
- The Environment:
- Environmental human rights
- Impacts of climate change on human migration
- Environmental protection and restoration
- Legal Reform:
- Focusing on domestic local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence
- Media Reform:
- Framing questions in terms of human rights and, generally, making human rights part of the discussion
- Fair and accurate reporting
- Reducing media hyperbole and spectacularization
- Reporting more on matters of social concern
- Human Rights Education and Awareness:
- Teaching people about their rights, about human rights in general, and about all things related to human right
- Providing training and human rights education to a variety of groups and demographics, including primary/secondary/post-secondary students, business professionals, law enforcement and military personnel, lawmakers, and others
- Using the arts, in combination with academics, law, and other mediums, to explore, explain, and promote a better understanding of and respect for human rights
1(circumstances where society grants authority to certain people or groups over other people/groups and thereby threatens the rights of the latter)
It is our goal to provide basic, introductory information on a variety of topics to engage our readers in these matters of social concern and to encourage outside learning and action. Further, we aim to move into in-depth research and reform efforts as the organization develops.
Our Website
As a whole, this website is dedicated to Jesse and Marilyn Goodis, Robert R. Karow, John C. Bonser, and Joe and Evie Buscaino.
This WordPress site is designed by Robert Goodis using the Outreach Pro theme and Genesis framework from StudioPress. Hosting is provided by DreamHost. These details are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent any form of sponsorship or endorsement.
Our primary domain is thegoodiscenter.org. This site is also accessible through the following domains: goodiscenter.org, thegoodiscenter.ngo, thegoodiscenter.ong, robertgoodis.org, and robertgoodis.com.
Use of this website is subject to our official Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Legal Disclaimers.
Staff and Directors
Information on our staff, volunteers, and directors is available here.
If you are interested in joining The Goodis Center, please check here.
Support Our Programs
For more information on how you can support The Goodis Center, please check this page.