Events Fellow

*MUST BE A CURRENT UNDERGRAD, GRAD, OR PhD STUDENT OR UP TO 12 MONTHS OUT OF A DEGREE PROGRAM.*

EVENTS FELLOW

Are you interested in a career in community organizing, advocacy, philanthropy, and/or social innovation? Are you ready to partner with and support multiple mission-driven organizations in Chicago and beyond? If yes, join the Wayfarer Foundation for a paid 10-week summer fellowship.

ABOUT WAYFARER FOUNDATION

Wayfarer Foundation partners with nonprofits to co-create a unified world where all people work together for peace, justice, and prosperity. Wayfarer launched in 2021 as a Bahá’í-inspired organization. Steve Sarowitz, a Bahá’í philanthropist, Founder and Chairman of Paylocity (Nasdaq: PCTY), Director of Payescape, and partner in Wayfarer Studios, started Wayfarer as the philanthropic engine for his spiritual giving. In 2023, Wayfarer awarded over $19 million in grants, and 78% of our partner organizations are BIPOC-led. For more information about us, check out wayfarerfoundation.org.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

We seek an Events Fellow to collaborate with the Events Manager to support the success of the foundation. In this role, you will contribute to the creation of structures, creative and intentional engagement with our communities (both internally and externally), and a thoughtful approach to trust-based philanthropic events.

• Reports to: Events Manager
• Position Details:
  • Ensure the planning, organization, and implementation of team activities, staff retreats, and/or other events in which WF engages as assigned.
  • Contribute to creating strategies to effectively and efficiently plan, execute, and design foundation events and internal structures.
  • Support in the research, design, establishment, and implementation of event and standard operating procedure (SOPs) templates for future use.
  • Assist with the planning, research, strategy, note taking, organization, and/or attendance of foundation events.
  • Communicate regularly and effectively with participants, WF staff, partners, and/or other stakeholders to provide updates, plan events, solicit information, and foster community and engagement. This includes via email, phone calls, and in-person/virtual meetings.
  • Assist in building collaborative relationships with WF departments, actively participating in and supporting the success of team meetings, staff retreats, WF events, workshops/trainings, etc.
  • Conduct report-finding as assigned.
  • Contribute to the management, design, research, organization, and implementation of 2024, 2025, and 2026 WF calendar.
  • Other tasks and/or projects as assigned.

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

• Be a current college student or up to 12 months out of a degree program.
• Commitment to and passion for Wayfarer’s mission: “We partner with nonprofits to co-create a unified world.”
• Interest in community organizing, advocacy, philanthropy, and/or social innovation as a career.
• Commitment to inclusivity and belonging as a lens for all your work.
• Openness to exploring the spiritual dimensions of mission-driven work, especially Baháʼí-inspired practices.
• Excellent and creative verbal & written communication skills in English.
• Willingness to be vulnerable, emotionally intelligent, and service-oriented.
• Action-oriented, results-driven, and grounded mode of operating.
• Flexibility and adaptability, as we strive to provide clear roles while navigating the process of being a new and quickly growing nonprofit.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage shifting priorities, work independently, and be a team player.
• Strong research & creative problem solving skills.
• Passion for community building and grassroots engagement.
• Proficiency in and/or willingness to quickly learn WF tech platforms: Google/Microsoft apps, Canva, and Airtable.
• Do I have to be a Baháʼí to apply?

Wayfarer Foundation is a Baháʼí-inspired philanthropic organization that aspires to align its work with the principles of the Baháʼí faith. Specifically, it centers its work on the oneness of humankind and recognizes that spiritual solutions are needed, along with material ones, for the betterment of humanity. While Wayfarer Foundation consults with relevant Baháʼí institutions, it is not funded or governed by Baháʼí institutions and welcomes partnerships with like-minded individuals and groups, including those from diverse faith traditions. We provide equal employment opportunities for all. We only ask you to come to the role with an open heart and mind and an interest in learning more about Baháʼí beliefs and the role the Baháʼí faith can play in creating social change. We also ask all team members to commit to upholding Wayfarer’s Baháʼí-inspired values:

• Unity: Humanity is one, and diversity is our superpower.
• Learning: A humble learning posture enables progress.
• Justice: Trust and integrity require accountability.
• Spirituality: Love and community fuel change.

WORKING AT WAYFARER

• Logistics:
  • Compensation and Hours:
    • Undergraduate/graduate students - $22.60/hour, 20 hours/week
    • Doctoral students - $28.25/hour, 28 hours/week
  • Term: 10 weeks/June through mid-August
• Culture - You can expect:
  • The mindfulness of a house of worship: We engage in spiritual practices as a team, explore how spirituality can drive social change, and strive to treat one another with compassion and kindness.
  • The energy of a startup: As a new organization, we are in an organic learning mode and value risk, innovation, and experimentation.
  • The passion for justice of a grassroots non-profit: We celebrate the gifts of diverse individuals, communities, and institutions. We also stand up for justice for those excluded because we know that together, without -isms, we can find solutions to our most pressing problems.
  • Where will I work?We are a hybrid organization; we work 2-3 days at home and 2-3 days in our office in Wilmette, IL (easily accessible by the CTA purple line).
  • Wednesdays are suggested in-person days.
  • Light travel may be expected.

TO APPLY

Please submit:

1. A brief cover letter. Please do not repeat what is written on your resume in your cover letter. Instead, tell us things your resume can’t tell us: what you are passionate about, your gifts, why you want to work with us, etc. In this letter, please also make sure to 1) affirm your openness to working in a spiritual environment informed by the Baháʼí faith and 2) discuss any experience you have in racial justice and/or working in BIPOC communities.
2. A 1-2 page resume with two references listed.

Wayfarer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse mix of candidates; your gifts and experience matter more than titles or numbers.