Frequently Asked Questions
Do organizations have to be Baha’i to apply for a grant?
No. While we are guided by the spiritual principles of the Baháʼí Faith, we respect and celebrate all religious devotions and differences and provide equal opportunities for all. About half of our Partners are Baha’i-inspired, and about half do work that is aligned with the Baha’i Faith but are not Baha’i organizations. We only ask that our Partners engage spirituality with an open heart and mind.
Why are Wayfarer Foundation grants invitation only?
We know that countless nonprofits are doing incredible work to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, due to limited staff capacity, we can only handle a limited number of requests. We do practice intentionality in sourcing our potential Partners in order to fund groups that are traditionally underfunded by philanthropy.
Why doesn’t Wayfarer Foundation fund international requests?
We believe in the power of universal participation – diverse people from around the world joining together to solve our most complex problems. Unfortunately, due to limited staff capacity, we can not navigate the complex nature of international requests at this time. Instead, we work closely with the Baha’i International Development Organization to help aid in the spiritual and material progress of the global community.
Does Wayfarer Foundation award multi-year grants?
For first time partners, we only award one-year $15,000-$50,000 “Get to Know You” grants. For longer term partners, we sometimes offer multi-year grants. Our team works with our partners to discern the best path forward.
As a Baha'i-inspired organization, what is Wayfarer's position on funding LGBTQ-led and/or LGBTQ-supporting nonprofits?
We believe in the nobility of every soul and strive to contribute to a world free of racism, sexism, and discrimination of all kinds. Wayfarer Foundation seeks to support organizations that align with our mission to work for unity and justice, are grounded in the community, and build the human capacity for spiritual and material prosperity. We do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. We employ a diverse team representing members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as people of various ages, genders, races, and religions. Also, many of our current grantees support individuals/families of all ages who identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. This is perfectly in keeping with the attitude of the Baha’i Faith against discrimination in all its forms and in support of the civil rights of all citizens.



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