Staffworks, Community Foundation Announce Record $10 Million Fund

Staffworks Incorporated and The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties announced today that the Staffworks Charitable Fund has exceeded the $10 million mark, a milestone achieved through the generosity of Staffworks, a locally owned staffing agency with nine branch officers in Central and Southern NY.

The Staffworks Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation established in 2006 by Staffworks, is advised by Anita A. Vitullo, founder and president of Staffworks. Today’s announcement marks the first Community Foundation $10 million fund with a living fundholder.

“Staffworks has made a unique investment in an important facet of our community’s quality of life, the love of animals,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of The Community Foundation. “Anita’s amazing philanthropic leadership and remarkable professional achievements provide a shining example to us all—what one person can achieve and inspire within an entire community.”
The Staffworks Charitable Fund focuses on supporting programs and services related to domestic animal welfare. Since 2009, nearly $1.4 million in grants has been awarded to community organizations including more than a dozen animal welfare organizations across the region.

“Profits from Staffworks are put to good work supporting a humane environment in our communities by funding organizations that care for abandoned, neglected and abused animals,” said Vitullo. “Animal shelters in every community do not receive state or federal funding and local government support is minimal, causing shelters to operate at a tremendous financial loss. If it were not for the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers and the generosity of our citizens, at-risk animals in our communities would have little hope of survival.”

The Staffworks Charitable Fund has sponsored the Staffworks “Save A Life” Campaign annually since 2014, matching donations made to numerous animal organizations during the holiday season. Thousands of community members have participated in the campaign over the last four years, helping to generate more than $580,000 in support for local animal organizations.

“I commend the Stevens-Swan Humane Society, Herkimer County Humane Society and Humane Society of Rome, as well as the many other animal organizations supported by the Staffworks Charitable Fund,” Vitullo stated. “Against all odds, these organizations save animal lives.

“Animal over-population results in endless animal suffering in our own communities and causes the deaths of millions of homeless animals throughout the United States. The only hope of reducing this horror is high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter services. No birth equals no kill.”

Vitullo and Dicks were joined at the announcement by Staffworks employees, Community Foundation Trustees and staff, and Gizmo—an 8-year-old pit bull awaiting adoption, representing regional rescue dogs whose welfare the Staffworks Charitable Fund is dedicated to protecting and enhancing.