Advantage Services has furloughed 110 employees after the Salt Lake City nonprofit was unable to cover one-third of its payroll this month, according to a report published October 19. The organization provides employment for individuals facing barriers such as disabilities, addiction, and homelessness.
The three-week furlough began on October 12, impacting workers who perform duties including landscaping, snow removal, biohazard cleanup, and shelter transportation. The organization has already seen a significant reduction in staff, having permanently lost 50 positions in the six months prior to the furlough. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the nonprofit had 160 employees during that period.
Financial pressures stem from Salt Lake City cutting the organization's largest municipal contract from approximately $2.165 million to $1 million. This reduction, combined with fuel expenses and insurance costs that rose by more than 300%, created the current shortfall. CEO Robert Ferris, who has led the organization since 2014, also co-chairs the Employment and Education Core Function Group on the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness.
Advantage Services operates on a business model relying almost entirely on fee-for-service contracts. Utah Gives reports that less than 3% of the organization's $3.2 million annual revenue is derived from donations or grants. The workforce includes a high percentage of individuals with specific needs, as the organization's 2024 Employment Report states that at least 70% of employees have physical or mental disabilities and 80% live at low-to-moderate income levels.
The stability of the organization remains uncertain as it awaits potential contract renegotiations with Salt Lake City or assistance from other municipalities. The impact of the furlough affects services such as the free shuttle operated in partnership with Shelter the Homeless, which delivered 38,499 rides in 2025.
