West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards $76,400 in Grants to Local Organizations
West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards $76,400 in Grants to Local Organizations
Second Round of Resiliency Grants as a Result of Tri-State Donation
NATURITA, Colo. – (February 3rd, 2021) – The West End Pay It Forward Trust recently awarded six local organizations a total of $76,400 to support community and economic development in the West End. This was WEPIFT’s second round of Resiliency Grants, which are intended to promote economic development and resiliency in the West End following the closure of the Tri-State power plant and coal mine.
The Trust received a $500,000 donation from Tri-State following the early closure of the power plant. The Trust allocated $100,000 to its permanent endowment, ensuring the Trust will always be able to give annual grants. The additional $400,000 will be awarded as Resiliency Grants over the next 2-5 years. October of 2020 was the very first cycle. The Resiliency Grants are offered on a quarterly basis, with the next application deadline on March 31st, 2021.
The Resiliency Grant recipients include the True North Youth Program, which received $5,000 to expand its existing activities to create free year-round opportunities and youth development programs for teens in the West End.
The Paradox Pipeline Company received a $9,500 grant to assist with the purchase of a new filtration system, in turn creating a more efficient water system.
The Nucla & Naturita Senior Center was awarded $10,400 to fund kitchen equipment and appliances for its clients, a critical component for senior care.
A $7,500 grant was awarded to Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse to purchase a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), which will aid their search and rescue efforts. With more people involved in outdoor recreation, emergency support is critical.
The Nucla High School was given $4,000 to obtain equipment needed to take their design program into product development, production, and marketing. This program helps youth prepare for their future and allows students to participate in contests of design and innovation.
Finally, a $40,000 grant ($10,000 per quarter in 2021) was awarded to the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), so that it can continue providing economic and community development services for West End businesses, towns, and the community at large. WEEDC’s purpose is to create and encourage an inviting, pro-business environment in the West End, which falls perfectly in line with the Trust’s Resiliency Grant criteria.
The West End Pay It Forward Trust accepts applications for Resiliency Grants on a quarterly basis. A total of $192,122 has been awarded in Resiliency Grants thus far, with $207,878 remaining for future grant cycles. The Trust also awards smaller Community Grants, which are offered annually and are funded by the endowment. All grant applications are reviewed by the WEPIFT board, which consists of Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, Alexander Price, Carla Reams, Doylene Garvey, Sara Carlisle, and Kendra Ballard.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised over $590,000 to date.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make that possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations. If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT, please contact westendpift@gmail.com, look for us on Facebook, or visit westendpayitforward.org.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards $12,500 in Grants to Local Organizations
In Partnership with Citizen’s State Bank, WEPIFT Concludes its Second Annual Community Grant Cycle
NATURITA, Colo. – (December 9th, 2020) – The West End Pay It Forward Trust recently awarded seven local organizations a total of $12,500 to support their charitable and community focused programs in the West End. This was WEPIFT’s second annual award of Community Grants. These grant funds are from the interest it earns on its endowment as well as from a contribution from Citizen’s State Bank of Ouray-Montrose County Branch.
As the result of generous donations and a growing endowment, WEPIFT working in partnership with the Citizen’s State Bank offers an annual Community Grant to support organizations’ efforts that are focused on the West End communities of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, and Paradox. This year, grants were given to the following organizations:
EcoAction Partners received $500 for their energy saving program in the West End. This grant funding will support EcoAction Partners’ facilitation of energy saving programming for businesses and income qualified residents.
The San Miguel Resource Center received $2,000 in support of domestic violence victim services and youth prevention education in the West End.
The Pinhead Institute was awarded $2,500 to help fund the West End and Paradox robotics teams to participate in the 2020 FIRST Lego League season, a program that has had huge success in the schools in the past.
The Center for Mental Health received $1,000 to help pay for free and sliding fee scale services for West End residents who are uninsured, homeless, or have low incomes.
The West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC) received $2,500 (from the Resiliency Grant fund) for the Twin Ponds project. This grant will help the development of a recreation area located in town limits that provides a safe, handicap-accessible location for swimming, fishing, and picnicking.
The Paradox Valley School received $2,500 to help fund its ‘Learning Landscape’, an outdoor educational area which will divide the schoolyard into multiple ecological systems that students and community members can interact with and utilize.
Finally, though Angel Baskets did not apply for a Community Grant, the WEPIFT Board has awarded Angel Baskets a $1,500 grant in support of their excellent work in the region. The Board would like to thank Angel Baskets for their efforts by contributing to their mission in the West End.
The West End Pay It Forward Trust accepts applications for Community Grants on an annual basis. However, it also awards grants through its Resiliency fund on a quarterly basis. The Resiliency Grants are made possible through a $400,000 donation from Tri State, which was given following the closure of the power plant. The next deadline for the Resiliency Grant applications is on December 31st.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised over $590,000 to date.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make that possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
Currently, WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, Alexander Price, Sarah Carlisle, Carla Reams, Doylene Garvey, and Kendra Ballard. If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT, please contact westendpift@gmail.com, look for us on Facebook, or visit westendpayitforward.org.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards $115,722 in Grants to Local Organizations
West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards $115,722 in Grants to Local Organizations
First Round of Resiliency Grants from the Tri-State Donation
NATURITA, Colo. – (October 29th, 2020) – The West End Pay It Forward Trust, an endowment group local to Naturita and Nucla committed to serving communities within the West End of San Miguel and Montrose counties, recently awarded $115,722 in Resiliency Grant funding to support community and economic development in the West End. This grant funding is intended to promote economic development and resiliency in the West End following the closure of the Tri-State power plant and coal mine.
The Trust received a $500,000 donation from Tri-State following the early closure of the power plant. The Trust allocated $100,000 to its permanent endowment, ensuring the Trust will always be able to give annual grants. The additional $400,000 will be awarded as Resiliency Grants over the next 2-5 years, with this October as having been the very first cycle.
The Resiliency Grant recipients include the West End Visitor Center, which will receive $25,000 to continue its efforts in promoting the West End as a recreational tourist destination. The Visitor Center is the heart of West End communities and highlights the beauty and unique nature of the West End, which falls directly in line with the goal of the Resiliency grants.
The Apple Core Project received $25,000, to expand its apple juicing project in the region, increase its tree nursing capacity, and graft another generation of heirloom apple trees. This project has evolved into a great opportunity to bring visitors into the community and, therefore, support local vendors.
Confluence Events, in partnership with Montrose West Recreation, received $7,597 to help fund the “Hanging Flume 50K.” This upcoming event is a trail running race beginning and ending at the Uravan Ballpark. The Trust believes this is an excellent way to attract visitors and promote the beauty of the area and hopes the Hanging Flume 50K will be an annual event.
The Tabeguache Trail Riders, in partnership with Montrose West Recreation, received $8,125 in funding to purchase an area groomer and sprinkler for the Nucla Rodeo arena. The Trust recognizes the importance in maintaining the arena, as it is an important addition to the community and will host local events for years to come.
Finally, Montrose West Recreation received a grant for $25,000 - $50,000 (dependent on additional grant funding) for the second phase of its West End Trails Master Plan, a comprehensive trails plan that has been in the works for many years. The grant will be used to complete NEPA surveys necessary for construction to begin and for the West End to gain a new trails system which can be enjoyed by locals and visitors.
The West End Pay It Forward Trust will be accepting applications for Resiliency Grants on a quarterly basis, with the next deadline on December 31st. Additionally, the Trust is in the midst of reviewing smaller “Community” Grant applications, which are offered annually and are funded by the endowment. Grant applications are reviewed by the WEPIFT board, which consists of Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, Alexander Price, Carla Reams, and Doylene Garvey.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised over $590,000 to date.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make that possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
Contacts: westendpift@gmail.com
Sara Bachman
970.865.2440; sara@bachmanlawllc.com
Jane Thompson
970.428.7179; jane@nntcwireless.com
Paul Koski
970.428.2276; pdkoski@gmail.com
West End Pay It Forward Trust Provides Resiliency Grant Opportunity
MEDIA CONTACT
Contacts: westendpift@gmail.com
Sara Bachman; 970.865.2440; sara@bachmanlawllc.com
Jane Thompson; 970.428.7179; jane@nntcwireless.com
Paul Koski; 970.428.2276; pdkoski@gmail.com
West End Pay It Forward Trust Provides Grant Opportunity
Tri-State Donation to Fund the West End Pay It Forward Trust’s “Resiliency Grants”
NATURITA, Colo. – (August 12th, 2020) – As the result of a generous $500,000 donation from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., the West End Pay It Forward Trust, a local endowment fund supporting community development in the West End of Montrose County, is excited to announce that it is offering $400,000 total in resiliency grants, over the next 2 to 5 years. The maximum request amount is $25,000. However, if projects have a matching component of 2 to 1 or more (other funding in addition to WEPIFT funding), up to $50,000 will be considered. These grants will be separate from the annual WEPIFT Community Grants, which 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. The Tri-State Resiliency Grants will be available to nonprofits, governments or taxing entities, and potentially for-profit businesses as a mission related or program related investment.
The West End Pay It Forward Trust will deploy this $500,000 donation by investing $100,000 into the Trust’s long-term endowment and by distributing the remaining $400,000 over the next five years by providing resiliency grants to nonprofits and community organizations within the West End.
As Tri-State shifts some operations outside of the Nucla-Naturita region, this contribution to support economic and community development in the West End recognizes the hardship that the closure of the power plant causes, acknowledges the numerous years of teamwork the cooperative association and the West End community have shared, and supports efforts to ensure the community remains vibrant for the future. The goal of these resiliency grants is to facilitate economic development and resiliency and to promote the overall well-being of the community. Grant applications that demonstrate longevity, collaboration, resiliency, promise, and innovation as well as applications that leverage other funds and focus on community and economic development will be prioritized. For more information on the specifics of the WEPIFT resiliency grants, please visit www.westendpayitforward.org.
For downloadable applications, please go to www.westendpayitforward.org or pick up a paper copy from Bachman Law, LLC at 140 E. Main Street, Naturita, CO. Applications must be received by September 15th, 2020 via one of the following options: mail a completed application to WEPIFT, PO Box 171, Naturita, CO 81422 or send an electronic copy to westendpift@gmail.com. You can also drop off a completed application at Sara Bachman’s law office at the address listed above. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. For questions, please contact the WEPIFT board at westendpift@gmail.com.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised over $90,000 to date.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make that possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
Currently, WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Susan Rice, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, Sarah Carlisle, and Alexander Price. If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT, please contact westendpift@gmail.com, look for us on Facebook, or visit westendpayitforward.org. If you are interested in joining the WEPIFT board, please send letters of intent to westendpift@gmail.com. The board also invites anyone interested to attend their meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m., which are currently being held as video-calls due to COVID-19. Please email the address above if you are interested in attending.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Announces Community Grant Opportunity
MEDIA CONTACTS
Contacts: westendpift@gmail.com
Sara Bachman; 970.865.2440; sara@bachmanlawllc.com
Jane Thompson; 970.428.7179; jane@nntcwireless.com
Paul Koski; 970.428.2276; pdkoski@gmail.com
West End Pay It Forward Trust Provides Grant Opportunity
Local Endowment Fund to Provide “Community Grants” with the Aim of Benefitting the Community
NATURITA, Colo. – (Aug. 1, 2020) – As the result of successful fundraising efforts and a growing endowment, the West End Pay It Forward Trust, working in partnership with the Citizens State Bank of Ouray-Montrose County Branch, is excited to announce that it is offering $10,000 total in community grants, with a maximum request amount of $2,500 per organization. This grant will be 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 will be awarded to organizations for projects that focus specifically on the West End communities of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, and Paradox.
Organizations are encouraged to apply for a minimum of $500 up to a maximum of $2,500. For downloadable applications, please go to www.westendpayitforward.org or pick up a paper copy from Bachman Law, LLC at 140 E. Main Street, Naturita, CO. Applications must be received by October 31st, 2020 via one of the following options: mail a completed application to WEPIFT, PO Box 171, Naturita, CO 81422 or send an electronic copy to westendpift@gmail.com. You can also drop off a completed application at Sara Bachman’s law office at the address listed above. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. For questions, please contact the WEPIFT board at westendpift@gmail.com.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised over $90,000 to date. This year, WEPIFT is partnering with Citizens State Bank of Ouray-Montrose County Branch, which contributed $4,000, and with the Hermitage Fund, in remembrance of Reverend Sylvester Schoening, which contributed $2,500 to make a total amount of $10,000 possible for it to distribute through community grants.
Recently, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. generously donated $500,000 to WEPIFT to support economic and community development in the West End. WEPIFT will deploy this $500,000 by distributing $400,000 over the next five years through Resiliency Grants, which are a different grant opportunity and application process with a deadline of Aug. 31st. For more information about Resiliency Grants go to https://www.westendpayitforward.org/grant-programs. The remaining $100,000 will be invested into the Trust’s long-term endowment, which is used to help fund annual community grants. With the help of Tri-State’s donation and numerous generous individual and business donors, WEPIFT is now at the point where it can make substantial grants every year from the endowment fund.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make that possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
Currently, WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Susan Rice, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, and Alexander Price. If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT or joining the board, please contact westendpift@gmail.com, look for us on Facebook, or visit westendpayitforward.org. The board also invites anyone interested to attend their meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m., which are currently being held as video-calls due to COVID-19. Please email the address above if you are interested in attending.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Announces Resiliency Grant Opportunity
MEDIA CONTACTS
Contacts: westendpift@gmail.com
Sara Bachman; 970.865.2440; sara@bachmanlawllc.com
Jane Thompson; 970.428.7179; jane@nntcwireless.com
West End Pay It Forward Trust Announces Resiliency Grant Opportunity
Tri-State Donation to Help Community Move Forward
Naturita, CO -July 1, 2020- The West End Pay It Forward Trust (WEPIFT), a local endowment fund supporting community development in the West End of Montrose County, Colo., has recently received a generous $500,000 donation from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
As Tri-State shifts some operations outside of the Nucla-Naturita region, this contribution to support economic and community development in the West End recognizes the hardship that the closure of the power plant causes, acknowledges the numerous years of teamwork the cooperative association and the West End community have shared, and supports efforts to ensure the community remains vibrant for the future.
"The WEPIFT board appreciates the confidence that Tri-State has in us to administer the $500,000 in funds that it is donating to our community. We would all much rather see the plant and the mine stay open and those jobs stay in our area, but since we know that is not going to happen, we can hopefully use these funds to help our communities move forward,” said Jane Thompson, WEPIFT president. “A lot of work went into their decision to have the WEPIFT be the group to administer these funds, and after seven years of growing this board and our endowment, we are very confident that WEPIFT can represent our West End community’s best interests as we collectively move into an uncertain future."
“While we have ended our power plant operations in the region, our desire to continue a legacy of support and continue as a member of the Nucla-Naturita community remains strong,” said Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO. “We believe that our work with WEPIFT offers us the best opportunity to ensure that this funding effort goes to provide the best support possible for many years to come.”
The West End Pay It Forward Trust will deploy this $500,000 donation by investing $100,000 into the Trust’s long-term endowment and by distributing the remaining $400,000 over the next five years by providing resiliency grants to nonprofits and community organizations within the West End.
The goal of these resiliency grants is to facilitate economic development and resiliency, and to promote the overall well-being of the community. Grant applications that demonstrate longevity, collaboration, resiliency, promise and innovation as well as applications that leverage other funds and focus on community and economic development will be prioritized. For more information on the specifics of the WEPIFT resiliency grants, please visit www.westendpayitforward.org.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to fund improvement projects for the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports grants for community projects and charitable causes. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has now raised more than $90,000, not including Tri-State’s donation.
Thanks to the generosity of Tri-State, WEPIFT can now not only distribute five years of resiliency grants, but also can provide substantial community grants every year from the endowment fund. WEPIFT’s endowment fund is a professionally managed fund at the Telluride Foundation. The Telluride Foundation has provided technical and financial assistance to WEPIFT since its inception.
As part of the agreement with Tri-State, the Telluride Foundation has committed to continue supporting the West End community with grants, programs and initiatives, and resources in an amount at least equal to the grants enabled by Tri-State funds.
Currently, WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Susan Rice, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson and Alexander Price.
WEPIFT will continue raising funds for its endowment so that it can keep providing an increasing amount of support to the community for many years to come. To make this possible, the Trust hopes to increase the number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $700/month from donors who pledge a monthly donation through Citizens State Bank of Naturita or their primary bank. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! WEPIFT is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT or joining the board, please contact westendpift@gmail.com, look for us on Facebook, or visit westendpayitforward.org. The board also invites anyone interested to attend their meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m., at the Naturita Community Library; meetings are currently being held as video-calls due to COVID-19. Please email the address above if you are interested in attending.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Announces Grant Recipients of 2019
Naturita, CO -November 26th, 2019- The West End Pay It Forward Trust Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of $6,700 in grant funding for 2019. Fifteen local non profit organizations submitted applications requesting almost $58,000 for various projects in the West End. Working in partnership with the Citizens State Bank - Naturita Branch, an additional $4,000 was added by the bank to the endowment’s $2,700 interest generated grant fund. The WEPIFT has over $78,000 in the Paradox Community Fund (PCT) making up 49% of the overall balance which currently contains almost $162,000. Two other community endowments, Lone Cone Legacy Trust of Wrights Mesa and the Rico Legacy Endowment, also contribute to the PCT. Money raised for the WEPIFT stays in the West End, supporting the Nucla, Naturita, Paradox and Bedrock communities. Community members are encouraged to contribute to this growing endowment fund through a monthly giving program set up with your bank, a one-time contribution or as a legacy donation from a personal estate plan. Contact a WEPIFT board member for more information about giving to your community endowment.
This year’s grant recipients are: FIRST Lego League Robotics Team, West End Victim Services, Naturita Visitors Center, Second Chance Humane Society in partnership with Hoof and Paw, West End Trails Alliance, Center for Mental Health, Basin Clinic, Watershed Education Program and Rimrocker Historical Society. All these organizations run diverse, worthwhile and innovative projects that contribute to the well-being of our community. They include educational field trips for student and teachers, low cost medical care for pets, marketing our local recreational assets outside the area, trees for the Uravan Ballpark Campground, new equipment for the Basin Clinic, support of a sliding fee scale for mental health services, building improvements at the Visitors Center, support for local victim services and the school LEGO robotics team. Thank you to all the organizations who participated.
WEPIFT OFFERS COMMUNITY GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR $6,700
Local Endowment Fund to Provide Second Grant with the Aim of Benefiting the Community
NATURITA, Colo. – (August 25th, 2019) – As the result of successful fundraising efforts and a growing endowment, The West End Pay It Forward Trust, working in partnership with the Citizens State Bank of Ouray-Montrose County Branch, is excited to announce that it has offered a flexible community grant of up to $6,700. This grant has been made 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 will be awarded to organizations for projects that focus specifically on the West End communities of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock and Paradox.
Organizations were encouraged to apply for a minimum of $500 up to a maximum of $6,700, and submit their application by September 30th. For downloadable applications, please click the link here: Grant Application. The Board will come to a decision on these grant applications by early November 2019. For questions, please contact the Board at westendpift@gmail.com.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects. Interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the total endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board has raised over $80,000 to date. With the help of a $10,000 matching grant and numerous generous individual and business donors, WEPIFT is now at the point where it can make grants every year from the endowment fund. This year WEPIFT is partnering with Citizens State Bank of Ouray-Montrose County Branch, whose generous support has made this $6,700 grant possible. WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Susan Rice, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, Hank Nelson, and Amanda Tomlinson.
By the end of 2020, WEPIFT’s goal is to have raised $100,000. To make this possible, they hope to increase their number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $200/month from monthly donors. Through coordination with Citizens State Bank of Naturita or using other avenues with their primary bank, residents can pledge monthly donations directly from their bank account. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! The West End Pay It Forward Trust is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT or joining the Board, please contact westendpift@gmail.com. The Board also invites anyone interested to attend their meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at the Naturita Community Library at 5:00 pm.
LOCAL ENDOWMENT GROUP TO HAVE RAISED OVER $75,000
Thanks to the Peterson Trust of Montrose, the West End Pay It Forward Trust (PIFT) has received a generous donation of $10,454.27.
NATURITA, Colo. – (April 29th, 2019) Thanks to the Peterson Trust of Montrose, the West End Pay It Forward Trust (PIFT) has received a generous donation of $10,454.27. This contribution from the Peterson Trust has brought funding for the PIFT to over $75,000.00.
The Peterson Trust is managed by Martha Dusio who had heard about PIFT and liked the idea that the community was trying to do something for itself in a difficult time.
“The Trust gives a certain amount every year and that sometimes it's all to one group or it could go to a couple of different groups” said Dusio. To date, the Peterson Trust has donated over $13,000.00 to the PIFT.
The West End PIFT has grown tremendously since its inception in 2013, starting with only $400. Since then, PIFT has grown their endowment by 200 percent over the past 5 years! Thanks to successful fundraising events, a partnership with Citizens State Bank, increasing community awareness, and the tireless work of the PIFT board members, the PIFT is now annually granting community organizations to help them continue their work that makes the communities of Nucla, Naturita, Paradox, and Bedrock great places to live.
The West End PIFT encourages the community to consider giving $10/month, although no amount is too small. The PIFT is currently receiving monthly donations from several local community members who make automatic deposits from their Citizens State Bank accounts, and anyone interested in making a monthly donation from their account can call or visit the bank or one of the contact above to arrange the reoccurring donation. Additionally, the PIFT encourages the community to consider the organization in their long-term planning, as estate bequests are an essential part of creating a successful endowment fund. Adding the PIFT to your will allows community members to make a difference in the West End by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
Since its launch, the West End PIFT has partnered with the Paradox Community Trust to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment that can support current and future community betterment projects. The Paradox Community Trust is a vehicle to receive, hold and invest charitable dollars raised by local PCT communities, including the West End, Norwood, Dove Creek, and Rico. Interest generated from the West End endowment will help support community and economic development, which could include support for local nonprofits, emerging entrepreneurs, and other charitable causes in the West End. All money raised will be used in the West End to support and develop local organizations and the community. The PIFT’s board includes: Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Susan Rice, Sara Bachman, Amanda Tomlinson, and Hank Nelson.
If you are interested in learning more about PIFT or joining the Board, please contact us at westendpift@gmail.com, visit our website http://westendpayitforward.org or our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WestEndPIFT/, or contact any one of the current board members for more information.
SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING SEASON FOR WEST END PAY IT FORWARD TRUST
Thanks to an anonymous donor and TellurideGives, the WEPIFT raised $16,000 in the past month.
Thanks to an anonymous donor and TellurideGives, the WEPIFT raised $16,000 in the past month.
NATURITA, Colo. – (December , 2017) Thanks to an anonymous donor, the West End Pay It Forward Trust (WEPIFT) has received a generous $15,000 last month, and raised an additional $1,000 through TellurideGives Day. These generous donations have saved WEPIFT years in fundraising efforts and brought WEPIFT’s fund total to over $60,000!
WEPIFT’s anonymous donation of $15,000 is the largest the Trust has received since its inception in 2013. In large part due to this gift, WEPIFT anticipates that in 2018 it will be able to start fulfilling its goal of creating and awarding grants to various West End endeavors.
In the past year, WEPIFT has grown it account from $40,000 in the beginning of 2017 to over $60,000 at the end of this year. This has been the outcome of loyal and generous supporters, successful fundraising events, a partnership with Citizens State Bank to set up donations as automatic withdraws, increasing community awareness, and the tireless work of WEPIFT board members and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers.
In addition to participating in TellurideGives’ annual online campaign, donors have the opportunity to make their giving a monthly recurring process by signing up for automatic withdrawals into the WEPIFT bank account. No donation amount is too small; $5 or $10 a month can make a world of difference for the Trust in the long-term. WEPIFT is currently receiving monthly donations from six local community members who make automatic withdraws from their Citizens State Bank (CSB)accounts to WEPIFT’s account.Anyone interested in making a monthly donation from their account with an account at CSB, is encouraged to call or visit the bank. If anyone needs help setting up recurring monthly donations from another banking institution, feel free to contact any of WEPIFT’s board members for help.
Additionally, WEPIFT encourages the community to consider the organization in their long-term planning; estate bequests are an essential part of creating a successful endowment fund. Adding a specific bequest WEPIFT to your will or trust allows community members to make a difference in the West End by paying it forward and helping the community now and for generations to come.
Launched in late 2013, the West End Pay It Forward Trust partnered with the Paradox Community Trust to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment that can support current and future community betterment projects. The Paradox Community Trust is a vehicle to receive, hold, and invest charitable dollars raised by local PCT communities: including the West End, Norwood, and Rico.
Interest generated from WEPIFT’s endowment fund will help support community and economic development, and support for local nonprofits, emerging entrepreneurs, education, and other charitable causes in the West End. All money raised will be used in the West End to support and develop local organizations and the community.
The WEPIFT’s board includes: Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Sara Bachman, and Susan Rice. The board meets monthly with AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers Marisa Marshalka and Kevin Zappia. If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT or joining the Board, please contact us at westendWEPIFT@gmail.com or visit our website, westendpayitforward.org, or Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WestEndWEPIFT/. If you are interested in joining the board, please attend our meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Naturita Library at 5:00 pm.
West End Pay It Forward Trust Awards First Grant to Colt Care Child Care Center
Local Endowment Fund Now Large Enough to Award Grants
Local Endowment Fund Now Large Enough to Award Grants
NATURITA, Colo. – (August 20th, 2018) – As the result of successful fundraising efforts and a growing endowment, the West End Pay It Forward Trust (WEPIFT) was able to give its first ever grant of $2,000 to the Colt Care Childcare Center. WEPIFT saw an immediate need in the community when citizens and educators grew increasingly concerned about the lack of childcare options in their community. WEPIFT decided to make this grant in support of the Colt Care Childcare Center to ensure they are able to purchase much needed items to start their first year strong. Colt Care will enroll 13 children this fall and be housed in a portable classroom adjacent to Nucla High School.
WEPIFT was created in 2013 with the mission to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. Its purpose is to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment fund to support community and economic development projects, like Colt Care; interest generated from the endowment supports community projects and charitable causes. WEPIFT policy states that it will use 5% of the interest raised from the endowment each year for grants to the community. Starting with only $400 in July of 2015, the WEPIFT board had raised over $60,000 by to date. With the help of a $10,000 matching grant and numerous generous individual and business donors, WEPIFT is now at the point where it can make grants every year off the interest earned by the endowment fund. WEPIFT’s board includes Jane Thompson, Susan Rice, Paul Koski, and Sara Bachman.
“For several months, we’ve known that we have funds for our first grant,” Sara Bachman, WEPIFT board member recalls. “We talked about grant application procedures and parameters and how to move forward—it was a bit overwhelming. At WEPIFT’s July meeting, we got to our “Old Business” agenda item of grant making procedures and we went on a tangent talking about the various organizations in need. When the daycare was mentioned, the decision to give our first grant of all our grant funds to Colt Care was instantly unanimous—not a single board member hesitated. We’re excited that we can be a part of the funds and energy needed to get Colt Care off the ground!”
Hank Nelson, Principal of Naturita Elementary School, has been a key advocate in getting Colt Care up and running. “The ‘pie-in-the-sky’ dream has quickly becoming a reality thanks to the many that believe in the benefit such a service could provide, just like the West End Pay It Forward Trust has done with their generous contribution.”
By the end of 2022, WEPIFT’s goal is to have raised $100,000. To make this possible, they hope to increase their number of donors who give monthly. Currently, WEPIFT is collecting approximately $166/month from monthly donors. Through coordination with Citizens State Bank of Naturita or using other avenues with their primary bank, residents can pledge monthly donations directly from their bank account. Donations of $10 per month make a huge difference! The West End Pay It Forward Trust is a simple and lasting way for residents of the West End to make a difference in their community by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more about WEPIFT or joining the Board, please contact westend@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WestEnd PIFT/. The Board also invites anyone interested to attend their meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at the Naturita Library at 5:00 pm.