Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Foundation is officially shutting down, and the timing is raising serious eyebrows.
The move comes while Baldoni is smack in the middle of a very public legal battle with his It Ends with Us co-star, Blake Lively. The Wayfarer Foundation, which served as the philanthropic branch of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, has been praised for its community impact over the past four years. But now, it’s closing its doors for good.
The announcement came directly from Steve Sarowitz, Baldoni’s business partner and co-founder of Wayfarer Studios. Taking to Instagram, Sarowitz revealed that the decision to close the foundation was unanimous among the board of directors. “Over the past four years, Wayfarer Foundation has supported dozens of grantee partners in fulfilling their missions,” he wrote. “I am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors and partners.” Sarowitz clarified that although the foundation is shutting down, they will honor all current grant commitments and carefully wind down operations over the next few weeks. He also stated that his personal commitment to giving back is unwavering and will continue beyond the foundation.
But the timing of this closure couldn’t be more dramatic. Justin Baldoni is currently embroiled in a serious legal dispute with Blake Lively, who has accused him of causing “severe emotional distress” during the production of It Ends with Us. Lively opened up about the situation in an interview with the New York Times, saying, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Baldoni, who not only starred in the film but also directed the 2024 romantic drama, has pushed back strongly against the allegations. His legal team, led by attorney Bryan Freedman, called the claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” In a statement to Variety, Freedman said the lawsuit was a calculated attempt to publicly damage Baldoni and reframe the narrative in the media.
The fallout has cast a shadow over Baldoni’s career, especially considering how closely his personal brand has been tied to humanitarian work and storytelling with purpose. The Wayfarer Foundation was seen as an extension of his values, compassion, inclusivity, and service. Its closure, even if unrelated directly to the lawsuit, feels like a major shift in the public image he’s spent years cultivating.
It’s not yet clear whether this foundation shutdown is connected to the legal heat surrounding Baldoni, but the optics are impossible to ignore. The man once celebrated for using film and philanthropy to drive social change is now defending himself in court and watching a major part of his legacy fade out.
One thing is certain: with the foundation closing and the Blake Lively lawsuit gaining momentum, Justin Baldoni is facing one of the most turbulent chapters of his career.
