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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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