Wayfarer Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Founded in 2021, it is a Baháʼí-inspired organization that funds and supports spiritually rooted and justice-oriented nonprofits. The foundation employs approximately 11-15 staff members and operates with a focus on universal participation to create a more hopeful, joyful, and just world.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$27.5M
-49.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$23.9M
+24.8% YoY
Grant Count
166
+8.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$144K
+15.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wayfarer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Wayfarer Foundation is dedicated to partnering with organizations that are nurturing a moral or spiritual awakening. The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts and creative endeavors
- Arts access and participation
- Creative writing
The foundation emphasizes the power of universal participation and seeks to support organizations that are spiritually rooted and justice-oriented.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 144 grants totaling approximately $19.1 million in 2024.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Illinois
- California
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $27,513,938 (2024)
Total Giving: $23,912,892 (2024)
Total Revenues: $1,726,331 (2024)
Total Expenses: $28,984,060 (2024)
Total Liabilities: $26,000 (2023)
The foundation's assets have grown significantly since its establishment in 2021, with total assets reaching $80,203,097 as of the end of 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $27,513,938 | $54,783,499 | $89,595,097 |
| Revenue | $1,726,331 | $-10,898,607 | $100,024,000 |
| Expenses | $28,984,060 | $23,938,980 | $10,762,557 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $28,471,111 | $23,186,727 | $10,762,557 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,497,442 | $70,974,990 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $2,084,478 | $2,355,797 | $485,828 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
199 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Equiticity ($325,000), Miracle Messages ($255,000), Center for Neighborhood Technology ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A CALL TO MEN ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $105,000 |
| ABDORRAHMAN BOROUMAND CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $125,000 |
| ABRAHAMIC HOUSE DALLAS, TX | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $127,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR FELIX COVE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $57,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $170,000 |
| BE THE HEALING PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $39,000 |
| BIRTH DETROIT DETROIT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION RAPID CITY, SD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $43,000 |
| BLUE LAPIS LIGHT AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $55,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Cynthia Barnes Slater is identified as a Board Member.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN I SAROWITZ | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN BALDONI | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CYNTHIA BARNES-SLATER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LAURA HERRICK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $250,080 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation expanded its physical presence by opening a new office space in Wilmette, Illinois in 2024. The foundation also maintains an active presence on social media platforms with approximately 3,097 LinkedIn followers.
Foundations give $250000 to George Floyd Global MemorialSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wayfarer Foundation fund?
Wayfarer Foundation is dedicated to partnering with organizations that are nurturing a moral or spiritual awakening. The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Arts and creative endeavors • Arts access and participation • Creative writing The foundation emphasizes the power of universal participation and seeks to support organizations that are spiritually rooted and justice-oriented.
How do I apply for a grant from Wayfarer Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $250 to $4,500,000. **Recent Grants (2024):** • National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States: $1,750,000 (General Operating Support) • MONA Foundation: $650,000 (General Operating Support) • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: $500,000 (General Operating Support) The foundation made 144 grants totaling approximately $19.1 million in 2024. **Total Giving:** $23,912,892 (2024)
Where does Wayfarer Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Illinois • California • New York
What size grants does Wayfarer Foundation award?
In 2024, Wayfarer Foundation awarded 166 grants totaling $23.9M — an average of about $144K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wayfarer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wayfarer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wayfarer Foundation's EIN?
Wayfarer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2088032. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wayfarer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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