Wayfarer Foundation
Wayfarer Foundation is a private foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Launched in 2021 by Steve Sarowitz, it describes itself as a Bahá’í-inspired organization that funds and supports spiritually rooted and justice-oriented nonprofits, with an emphasis on universal participation and a more hopeful, joyful, and just world.
Wayfarer Foundation at a glance
In short: Wayfarer Foundation gave $23.9M across 166 grants in 2024 (avg $144K), top state Illinois. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,912,892
- +24.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 166
- +8.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $144,054
- +15.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $87,500
- Total assets
- $27,513,938
- -49.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (53 of 166, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wayfarer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1849 Green Bay Rd 280, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (312) 521-2607
Website: https://wayfarerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wayfarer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Horace Holley Foundation ($4.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
475 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 174 grants of 475 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Illinois recipients received 45% of grant dollars, followed by California at 11%, New York at 9%, and Washington and the District of Columbia at 3% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 166 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wayfarer Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 53 of 166 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $164K; repeat grants $135K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 65% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 470% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.2M (2021) to $23.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 166 grants totaling $23.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Horace Holley Foundation Evanston, IL | General Operating Support | $4,500,000 |
| National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States Evanston, IL | General Operating Support | $1,750,000 |
| Mona Foundation Bellevue, WA | General Operating Support | $650,000 |
| National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Inc Cincinnati, OH | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| New Era Creative Space Peekskill, NY | General Operating Support | $370,000 |
| Parent University Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $362,200 |
| Tahirih Justice Center Falls Church, VA | General Operating Support | $340,000 |
| Equiticity Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $325,000 |
| Palenke Arts Seaside, CA | General Operating Support | $290,000 |
| Friends of Givat Haviva Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $270,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Wayfarer Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $27,513,938 | $1,726,331 | $28,984,060 | $23,912,892 | 166 | $28,471,111 | $1,497,442 | $2,084,478 |
| 2023 | $54,783,499 | $-10,898,607 | $23,938,980 | $19,164,170 | 153 | $23,186,727 | $70,974,990 | $2,355,797 |
| 2022 | $89,595,097 | $100,024,000 | $10,762,557 | $9,641,708 | 107 | $10,762,557 | — | $485,828 |
| 2021 | $333,654 | $4,731,977 | $4,398,323 | $4,193,377 | 49 | $4,398,323 | — | $42,102 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to “advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization.” Its work covers Bahá’í expansion and consolidation, public discourse, and social action. Its stated focus areas include economic prosperity, gender equality, racial justice and unity in diversity, religious harmony, the arts, universal education, and youth empowerment.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of work supported. Mona Foundation says it supports grassroots initiatives that educate children and empower women and girls. Equiticity describes its work as advancing racial equity through research, advocacy, programs, community mobility rituals, and social enterprises. Palenke Arts says it uses multicultural arts to educate, inspire, and transform its community. Miracle Messages works with people experiencing homelessness on social support and financial security.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 166 grants totaling $23,912,892. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $4,500,000, with a median of $87,500. The largest awards included $4,500,000 to Horace Holley Foundation, $1,750,000 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, and $650,000 to Mona Foundation. Other notable grants included $500,000 to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, $370,000 to New Era Creative Space, $362,200 to Parent University, and $340,000 to Tahirih Justice Center. The listed grants were for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Steven I Sarowitz as president, Justin Baldoni as secretary, Cynthia Barnes-Slater as treasurer, and Laura Herrick as executive director.
Wayfarer Foundation is led by Laura Herrick, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laura Herrick
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$107K (2021) → $250K (2024)
Steven I. Sarowitz
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Barnes-Slater
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Baldoni
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $250K, to Laura Herrick (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Wayfarer Foundation
How much does Wayfarer Foundation give each year?
Wayfarer Foundation gave $23.9M across 166 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $19.2M across 153 grants.
What is Wayfarer Foundation's typical grant size?
Wayfarer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $87,500, and its average grant was $144,054, across 166 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wayfarer Foundation that year got $164K on average.
Where does Wayfarer Foundation give grants?
Wayfarer Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (11%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (33 grants), New York, NY (15 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants) and Evanston, IL (5 grants).
Does Wayfarer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Wayfarer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (166 of 166) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Wayfarer Foundation's largest grantees?
Wayfarer Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Horace Holley Foundation ($4,500,000), National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States ($1,750,000) and Mona Foundation ($650,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wayfarer Foundation?
Wayfarer Foundation reported $27.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $28.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Wayfarer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to “advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization.” Its work covers Bahá’í expansion and consolidation, public discourse, and social action. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wayfarer Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Wayfarer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wayfarer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wayfarer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wayfarer-foundation-morg_3a208e32a7d14613a07ce0ee3622bbff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_862088032_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wayfarer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wayfarer-foundation-morg_3a208e32a7d14613a07ce0ee3622bbff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Wayfarer Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Wayfarer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?