Wayfarer Foundation led by Justin Baldoni to shut down due to legal issues involving Blake Lively.
The Wayfarer Foundation, a charitable initiative launched by actor and director Justin Baldoni, has announced its closure amid ongoing legal disputes involving allegations made by actress Blake Lively. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliatory actions against her, allegations which Baldoni has categorically denied. The foundation’s closure was confirmed in a statement released by billionaire co-founder Steve Sarowitz on the organization’s website.
Both Baldoni and Sarowitz, who co-founded Wayfarer Studios, are adherents of the Bahá’í faith, which has played a significant role in shaping the foundation’s mission and objectives. Insiders have indicated that the decision to shut down the Wayfarer Foundation comes in light of the financial and emotional toll imposed by the lawsuits involving Lively. The actress co-starred with Baldoni in the film “It Ends With Us,” which gained significant attention in the past year.
In his statement, Sarowitz revealed that the board of directors had reached a unanimous decision to initiate the process of “sunsetting” the foundation last Friday. He emphasized that the organization will fulfill all existing grant commitments despite the impending closure. Sarowitz reaffirmed his personal commitment to societal impact through various endeavors and indicated that he would remain focused on charitable causes.
Established with the aim of promoting economic prosperity, gender equality, racial justice, universal education, and the arts, the Wayfarer Foundation has engaged in a wide range of philanthropic activities over the years. However, the current legal issues surrounding Baldoni and Lively have rendered the foundation’s operations increasingly untenable.
Lively’s allegations first emerged publicly in December, marked by a comprehensive investigation published by a major media outlet detailing her claims of harassment and a purported public relations campaign aimed at discrediting her. Shortly thereafter, on New Year’s Eve, Lively took legal action against Baldoni. Not long after, Baldoni filed his own multi-million dollar lawsuits, including a defamation suit against both Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, as well as their publicist.
As the litigation proceeds, a trial date has been set for March of next year in New York, underscoring the escalating nature of this high-profile legal battle. The situation continues to evolve, drawing significant media attention and interest from the public.
