Wayfarer Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Wayfarer Foundation is a private foundation in Highland Park, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $23.9 million in 166 grants; the typical grant was $87,500 and the largest $4.5 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$23.9 million
- Number of grants166
- Typical grant$87,500
- Largest grant$4.5 million
- Assets$27.3 million
- New grantees35%
Giving in 2024 was up from $19.2 million the year before.
35% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $19.2 million | 153 | $54.0 million |
| 2024 | $23.9 million | 166 | $27.3 million |
How to apply
Wayfarer Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Wayfarer Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 33 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 45 | $10.8 million |
| California | 24 | $2.7 million |
| New York | 20 | $2.3 million |
| District of Columbia | 7 | $805,000 |
| Washington | 3 | $764,000 |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $659,000 |
| Virginia | 5 | $611,000 |
| South Dakota | 8 | $599,547 |
| Ohio | 1 | $500,000 |
| Michigan | 3 | $403,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Horace Holley Foundation | General operating support | $4.5 million |
| National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States | General operating support | $1.8 million |
| Mona Foundation | General operating support | $650,000 |
| National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Inc | General operating support | $500,000 |
| New Era Creative Space | General operating support | $370,000 |
| Parent University | General operating support | $362,200 |
| Tahirih Justice Center | General operating support | $340,000 |
| Equiticity | General operating support | $325,000 |
| Palenke Arts | General operating support | $290,000 |
| Friends of Givat Haviva Inc | General operating support | $270,000 |
| Miracle Messages | General operating support | $255,000 |
| Proteus Fund | General operating support | $225,000 |
| Fetzer Institute | General operating support | $210,000 |
| World Federalist Movement Institute for Global Policy | General operating support | $205,000 |
| Center for Research in Education for Development | General operating support | $203,000 |
| Center for Neighborhood Technology | General operating support | $200,000 |
| First Nations Development Institute | General operating support | $200,000 |
| The Policy Academies | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Wozu | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Learning to Impact | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Coherent Development Research Institute | General operating support | $180,000 |
| Hispanics in Philanthropy | General operating support | $180,000 |
| The Workers Lab | General operating support | $175,000 |
| Cheyenne River Youth Project | General operating support | $170,547 |
| Logan Square Neighborhood Association | General operating support | $170,125 |
| American Society of the University of Haifa | General operating support | $170,000 |
| City Hope San Francisco | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Deeply Rooted Productions | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Euchee Yuchi Language Project | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Freedom Community Center | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Love Unity and Values Institute | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Period Inc | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding | General operating support | $170,000 |
| The Aspen Institute Inc | General operating support | $170,000 |
| True Star Foundation | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Journalism for Change Inc | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Southside Blooms | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Redress Movement | General operating support | $160,000 |
| Intonation Music Workshop | General operating support | $158,993 |
| Parents of Children With All Special Needs | General operating support | $156,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Steven I Sarowitz
- Justin Baldoni
- Cynthia Barnes-Slater
- Laura Herrick
Questions people ask
Does Wayfarer Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Wayfarer Foundation give?
$23.9 million in tax year 2024, across 166 grants, with a typical grant of $87,500.
Who runs Wayfarer Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Steven I Sarowitz (President), Justin Baldoni (Secretary), Cynthia Barnes-Slater (Treasurer) and Laura Herrick (Executive Director).
What does Wayfarer Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and arts and culture.