Community Grants
About We Pay It Forward Community Grants
Annually, WEPIFT collaborates with Citizens State Bank to make grant awards to West End community organizations. Without the generosity of Citizens State Bank, WEPIFT would have substantially less funds to grant to community organizations.
To learn about the Community Grant criteria, see the information below. To apply, please follow the instructions on the application.
WEPIFT Community Grants are available to any nonprofit organization, local taxing entity, or organization working under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that strives to benefit the community and its residents. Grants are awarded to organizations for projects that focus specifically on the West End communities of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock and Paradox.
We Pay It Forward Community Grant Awards
Last year The West End Pay It Forward Trust concluded its seventh annual cycle of Community Grants in the fall of 2025, awarding a whopping $22,500 ($6,000 of which was donated by Citizens State Bank of Ouray) to local organizations. Here are some past recipients of the WEPIFT Community Grants.
The Basin Clinic to support their medication program.
Lone Cone Dressage Club to support free equine lessons offered by a skilled clinician.
Montrose West Recreation toward its general operating funds for recreational programming. Activities include summer and winter adventure camp, athletic camps and leagues, and new cheer and dance programs.
West End Theatre Collaborative to bring the Missoula Children’s Theatre to immerse area youth in a week of theatrics and two community plays.
Nucla-Naturita Senior Center to reduce food insecurity and isolation of senior citizens of the West End.
San Miguel Basin Fair Board to support the offerings of agricultural educational opportunities for youth and the community.
San Miguel Resource Center to help support their West End DV/SV victim advocate.
Second Chance Humane Society to support their free vaccine clinic for 50 dogs and cats in the West End.
The Pinhead Institute to assist with the costs of the STEM programing offered in Nucla & Naturita.
True North Youth Program to continue its offerings for teens in the West End by providing academic support, workforce preparedness programming, and college/trade school preparation.
West End Family Link Center to support their work operating the Food Pantry that helps ensure no one in our rural community goes hungry.
West End Schools Art Department to support the creation of a community mural on the retaining wall at the front of the school.
WEPIFT Community Grant Criteria & Process
The Community Grants cycle is currently closed. Check back this summer for when the cycle will open for 2026.