Meet the Park Foundation, a Certified Living Wage Employer

Founded in 1966 by Roy H. Park, Sr., the founder, chairman, and CEO of Park Communications, Park Foundation provides more than $18 million in grants annually for higher education, media, environment, animal welfare and human services. Of the Foundation’s decision to seek Living Wage Certification, executive director Jon Jensen notes that “While the Foundation has historically paid a living wage to staff, we felt it important to formally commit to this principle.”

Like other Living Wage Certified grantmakers that operate in Tompkins County (Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and the County of Tompkins itself), Park Foundation has supported many projects that promote equity throughout our communities. A recurring theme of the Foundation’s grantmaking is social justice, and “ ‘Walking the talk’ is a core value,whether it is in how we invest our endowment, office operations or employee policies,” says Jensen.

(Disclaimer: Tompkins County Workers’ Center is a grantee of Park Foundation.)

Tompkins County Worker’s Center welcomes any business or organization who has not done so already to become a Living Wage Employer. Presently, the Living Wage in Tompkins County is $15.11, as determined by Alternatives Federal Credit Union Biennial Living Wage Study. If your business or organization pays at least a Living Wage, you can apply to the Tompkins County Worker’s Center for certification to recognize your commitment to fair pay for workers at (607) 269-0409 or tcwrh@tcworkerscenter.org.