Wayfarer Foundation Grants Oikos Institute $282k Grant

The Oikos Institute for Social Impact (Oikos) is proud to announce its receipt of a $282,000 three-year capacity general operations grant from the Wayfarer Foundation! The Wayfarer Foundation was established in 2021 by Steve Sarowitz, Philanthropist, Founder, and Chairman of Paylocity (Nasdaq: PCTY), Director of Payescape, and partner in Wayfarer Studios. It operates as a Baha’i-inspired organization with a mission to "advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization." Operating under the leadership of Steve Sarowitz, the foundation funds support spiritually rooted and justice-oriented nonprofits, emphasizing universal participation to foster a more hopeful, joyful, and just world. The organization collaborates with other groups and institutions to advance racial justice, economic prosperity, gender equality, unity in diversity, religious harmony, the arts, universal education, and youth empowerment.

With grant support and program service contracts such as this, Oikos will expand its work significantly and will continue to reach congregations throughout the United States. In addition to continuing or completing its work with six previously established Cohorts, by the end of 2024, Oikos is planning new Cohorts in New Orleans, Detroit, and Philadelphia, and a second Cohort in Chicago with 12-15 congregations each. Under Oikos’ Discover and Dream Program, the congregations will learn to effectively leverage their assets, including Faith/Finance Capital, Intellectual Capital, Social Capital, Human Capital, and real estate, for communal transformation and economic mobility. The funding from the Wayfarer Foundation provides firm support in helping Oikos aid congregations to fish differently for social impact.

"We are truly grateful for the generous grant from the Wayfarer Foundation. This support is instrumental in propelling Oikos' mission forward, enabling us to expand our reach and impact. This funding not only sustains our ongoing work in established Cohorts but also enables us to venture into new communities. As we continue to empower congregations in under-resourced communities through the Fishing Differently™ Model, we see this grant as a testament to the shared commitment towards fostering economic prosperity and racial justice,“ Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, Co-founder and CEO of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact

“This grant will allow us to deepen our impact and continue our mission of empowering congregations for social impact. We are profoundly honored to receive their support, which not only acknowledges the significance of our work but also strengthens our resolve to create meaningful change. Together, we look forward to advancing the cause of justice and social impact in under-resourced communities," Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact.