Arcadia Institute

Stephen Payne and his father, Richard, are the co-founders of Arcadia Institute, a Catholic film apostolate that has produced over 120 films in its 35-year history. Stephen has worn many hats over the years: director, editor, cinematographer, designer, sound and music editor, and even part-time production assistant. Richard, his father, is the founding editor-in-chief of the Classics of Western Spirituality series and has served as researcher, scriptwriter, narrator, and assistant director. With the support of the late Father Benedict Groeschel, a dear friend and early advocate, Arcadia has garnered national and international acclaim—including the Gabriel Award for Saints Alive! (2012) and the Grand Remi Award for A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2017). Their work has inspired countless souls and even influenced the Catholic vote in the 2016 U.S. election, according to polling by Dr. Paul Kengor.

But now, Stephen, Richard, and Stephen’s young family urgently need your help. After nearly a year of debilitating health struggles, Stephen can no longer work. He was recently diagnosed with a heart murmur and is awaiting testing that may confirm a stroke he suffered over a year ago—an episode that left him unable to move or speak for nearly an hour. Since then, he’s battled brain fog, memory loss, and chronic fatigue. Meanwhile, Arcadia faces legal threats over unpaid fees: thousands to a failed fundraising manager. With only about $1000 left to their name, the Institute is teetering on collapse, and the future of their apostolate—and their family—is in jeopardy.

We are humbly asking for your help to raise $125,000 to cover basic monthly expenses for a year and help stabilize this faithful mission. That’s about $10,000 a month. GoFundMe will take a small portion in fees, but the rest will provide immediate relief to Stephen, his elderly father, and his wife and three young children. Your gift will offer not just financial help, but hope—a lifeline that can one day allow Stephen to heal, hire help, and revive Arcadia to continue its mission of evangelization through the beauty of film. We’re not asking for much—just for you to pay it forward. Thank you for standing with us