Growth and Culture Associate

***NON-PROFIT EXPERIENCE PREFERRED.***

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 to be the philanthropic engine for his spiritually based giving. In 2023, Wayfarer awarded over $19 million in grants, with over 50% supporting Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Native-led grassroots organizations. For more information about us, please check out wayfarerfoundation.org.

POSITION DETAILS

The Growth and Culture Associate will play a critical role in fostering collaboration and supporting research, learning, and DEIBA initiatives across multiple functions within Wayfarer. This position involves managing communication and logistics for internal teams, external partners, and program participants, ensuring smooth Growth and Culture operations and seamless coordination of meetings, events, and training sessions. The Growth and Culture Associate will support the Manager of Growth and Culture and the Foundation in driving continuous improvement through our Study of Impact/ThriveHub and Wayfarer Way/DEIBA. Through these responsibilities, this position will inspire an inclusive and growth-oriented culture where individuals can thrive at the Wayfarer Foundation.

• Reports to: Manager of Growth and Culture
• Classification: Exempt/Full-time
• Salary Range: $50,645 - $64,000
• Position Details:

Training and Development

• Support the implementation of the Study of Impact and ThriveHub initiatives. Aid in the development of DEIBA-related content and programming that aligns with Wayfarer Way principles and fosters an inclusive, growth-oriented culture.
• Facilitate regular communication with Wayfarer staff to raise awareness of DEIBA initiatives, celebrate successes, and direct concerns or challenges to the Manager of Growth and Culture.
• Provide administrative support to the DEIBA committee by scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and recording minutes.
• Coordinate the logistics of workshops, seminars, and discussions on Wayfarer Way and other topics by soliciting venues, managing calendars, and preparing necessary materials.
• Source external facilitators or consultants for specific training needs, including but not limited to DEIBA facilitation, communication, conflict resolution, and effective leadership.

Fostering Relationships and Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between the Growth and Culture department and other organizational functions to streamline communication and ensure accurate information dissemination.
• Support the Growth and Culture Manager with collaborative communication among internal teams, external partners, and grantees to provide updates and insights on Growth and Culture initiatives, solicit feedback, and engage stakeholders.
• Enroll participants in programs offered and manage participant inquiries.
• Support with the creation of participant communication templates (e.g., emails, newsletters, etc.) and manage outreach campaign contact lists.
• Organize and maintain a library of resources, ensuring accessibility for Wayfarer staff and partners. Assist in monitoring resource utilization and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Data and Impact

• Aid in collecting quantitative and qualitative data from program participants, such as demographics, surveys, and testimonials, enabling the measurement of effectiveness and impact.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and data visualizations that communicate program outcomes and achievements and track program expenses to support the Manager of Growth and Culture.
• Conduct preliminary research on emerging trends and best practices in philanthropy, learning, and development.
• Identify areas for improvement in program logistics, operational efficiency, and participant engagement.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Growth and Culture to propose and implement enhancements to current practices and policies.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to and passion for Wayfarer’s mission: “We partner with nonprofits to co-create a unified world.”
• 2+ years of experience in a similar learning and development role with a non-profit, business, foundation, educational institution. Direct experience working with BIPOC communities is a plus.
• Knowledge of the Baha’i learnings and the ability to work with the Social Action Learning Desk at the Baha’i National Assembly preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in and/or willingness to quickly learn WF tech platforms: Google apps, major social media platforms, Giving Data (grant management system), Slack, Canva, Airtable (project management system), etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a lens for your work—appreciation for the spiritual dimensions of mission-driven work, especially Baháʼí-inspired practices.
• Excellent and creative verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Willingness to be vulnerable, emotionally intelligent, and service-oriented.
• Collaborative working style, caring and action-oriented supervision skills, project management savviness, and the ability to quickly shift from strategic thinking to granular implementation.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and software for event coordination and logistics.
• Do I have to be a Baháʼí to apply?
• While we are guided by the spiritual principles of the Baháʼí faith, we respect and celebrate all religious devotions and differences and provide equal employment opportunities for all. We only ask you to come to the role with an open heart, mind, and interest in learning more about Baháʼí beliefs and the role diverse spiritual traditions can play in creating social change.

WORKING AT WAYFARER

Benefits: We offer a holistic package that aims to care for our team in body, mind, and spirit; it includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings plan (after one year)
• Time off:
• Unlimited PTO and National Holidays
• Baha’i Holy Days (up to 9/year)
• 4 days/year for community service (1/quarter)
• Organization-wide Winter Break
• Professional development stipend (conference, books, training, etc.), wellness stipend (spiritual retreats, body care, therapy, etc.), “boundary bonuses,” and matching nonprofit donations.

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?

• This position requires in-person attendance Monday through Friday at our office in Wilmette, IL (easily accessible by the CTA purple line). You will also be expected to travel ~15% of the time.

TO APPLY

We will review applications on a rolling basis until this position is filled. We anticipate that this person will begin in February 2025.

A brief cover letter. Please do not repeat what is written on your resume. In your cover letter, include the following:

• Why do you want to work with us?
• Please describe your previous work with BIPOC communities.
• What are the responsibilities of the individual regarding issues of social justice?
• What are your thoughts about working in a workplace that centers on spirituality, and how might you see yourself using it for your growth and contributing to it as a leader or staff member?
• A 1-2 page resume with 3 references listed.

Wayfarer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, Baháʼí, and other underrepresented applicants. We value diverse candidates; your gifts and lived experience matter more to us than titles or numbers.