About The Trust
The West End Pay It Forward Trust is a simple and lasting way for you to make a difference in the West End. The trust is a permanent charitable fund to improve the West End now and for future generations. The trust was established in 2013, and after many years of fundraising was able to make its first grant in 2018. In 2019, the Trust held its first competitive community grants process, and is excited to continue grant making year after year. The trust serves Nucla, Naturita, Paradox, and Bedrock areas.
Our Goal
WEPIFT’s first ever Community Grant award in 2018 to Colt Care daycare center in Naturita.
Our organization’s goal is to improve the West End communities now and for future generations. To date, we have raised over $200,000! By the end of 2030, WEPIFT wants to have a fund balance of at least $500,000. In order to make this possible, we want to build up our monthly donor base to a total of $1,000/month.
What We Have Been Up To
2016
We blew past our 2016 goal, to raise $20,000. Thank you to everyone who gave in 2016 that helped keep the momentum rolling!
2017
With the goal of raising $50,000 in 2017, WEPIFT surpassed their goal by over $60,000 thanks to a large donation made at the end of the year by an anonymous donor! We can’t thank the community enough for support our mission and the future of the West End.
2022
We met our 2022 goal of bringing our fund balance to more than $200,000! However, we fell short in establishing monthly donations in the amount of $1,000. Please consider a monthly donation instead of a one-time donation.
How It Works
01.
Funds donated to the Trust are put into a collective endowment, or “nest egg.” Interest gained from the endowment is reinvested in the West End community in the form of grants for community and economic development.
02.
The Trust’s funds are pooled with other community funds within the Paradox Community Trust, a larger trust created by the Telluride Foundation to support smaller communities surrounding the Telluride area. Interest grows faster, administration fees are less, and the potential for matching funds to secure multi-jurisdictional state, local, and corporate donations is much greater.
03.
The Trust’s Board of Directors give annual community grants to local West End organizations. For instance, this past Fall we awarded $6,700 worth of grants to various local nonprofits. Funds raised by the Trust will be used exclusively in the West End.
About The Board
A Letter From The Board:
The West End community likes to think of itself as in the “middle of everywhere.” Our area is abound in rich history, natural beauty, and compassionate community members. It is a great place to live and we are committed to making it even better.
From our donations WEPIFT is growing a permanent community trust fund that supports current and future community betterment projects. The West End Pay it Forward Trust is a way for everyone who cares about our community and its future to giveback. Money raised for the West End Pay It Forward Trust will only be used in the West End for the support and development of local organizations and the economy.
Sara Bachman
President
Like many of the other WEPIFT board members, Sara Bachman is a West End native. Sara is a 2006 graduate of Nucla High School and, in 2016, returned to her stomping grounds to settle into the area once more with a small family in tow. She lived in Laramie and Cody, Wyoming where she completed her juris doctorate degree and mater of public administration degree at the University of Wyoming and entered private practice.
Sara is the sole proprietor of a boutique law firm in Naturita known as Bachman Law, LLC and lives in Naturita with her husband, Mitch, and daughters, Presley and Taylor. Sara joined the WEPIFT board in 2016 in addition to volunteering for many local organizations. Sara is passionate about the West End and is committed to propelling the mission of WEPIFT forward. While WEPIFT was able to make its first grant of $2,000.00 in 2018, Sara is hopeful that she will see WEPIFT granting upwards of $50,000.00 per year within her lifetime.
“West End, Best End.”
Jane Thompson
Vice President+Founding member
Jane Thompson has been on the West End Pay It Forward Trust Board since its inception in 2013 and served as President of the trust during its growing years. Jane has been the President of the Rimrocker Historical Society of Western Montrose County for the past 10 years but has been involved in the Society for 20 years. It has become her passion to preserve the history of the West End. In the past, Jane has served on the board of the Nucla-Naturita Area Chamber of Commerce, the West End Public School Board and the West End Early Childhood Council. Jane is a member of the Montrose County Historical Landmark Advisory Board. Jane taught preschool for 6 years at Paradox Valley Charter School and has a great love for that wonderful age of children. She presently works for the Nucla-Naturita Telephone Company and enjoys working with local folks getting them the best phone and broadband service available. Jane is a 3rd generation Uravan resident and she and her husband, Gayland, live in the West End where she stays busy with community and family activities and keeping up with grandchildren. Jane was named Citizen of the Year in 2016 for her many contributions to her community.
“I believe that if we want to see a future filled with opportunity for our families, then it is imperative that we give a little bit towards building an endowment for future generations.” Jane says.
Sara Bray
Secretary
Sara Bray is serving her first term on the WEPIFT Board but is no stranger to the West End. She has been a teacher, and is now the elementary principal, in the West End Public School District for the last 13 years. Her passion for the children and families of the West End extends beyond the school and into the community itself. Being a part of the WEPIFT Board allows her to help give back to the community that has taken her in as one of their own while also ensuring the community remains stable and vibrant for the future generations she works with.
Sara is married to Zandon Bray of Bray Ranches located in Redvale. Together they have three children: Keiran, Cole, and Sabry. All of whom attend Nucla Middle/High School. In addition to her duties as elementary principal, she helps her husband on the family’s cattle ranch, is a part of several other boards, and is active in her community church. She’s excited to be a part of this organization to help preserve the future sustainability of the West End.
Erin Jones
Treasurer
Erin Jones has lived in the West End her entire life. She graduated from Nucla High School in 2016 and from Colorado Mountain College in 2019. Erin lives in Nucla with her husband Cody and they enjoy spending time in the outdoors; hunting, fishing, camping and just breathing in the fresh West End air. She began working at Citizen’s State Bank in Naturita as a teller in 2019 and is currently the Operation’s Lead and New Account Specialist. Her goal is to always provide great customer service and reach further into her community.
Erin joined the Nucla- Naturita Fire Department in 2014 and the West End Pay It Forward Trust board and West End Economic Development board in 2023. Erin is also passionate about the local youth. She has been the lead coach for the local AAU program and the assistant coach for the middle school volleyball team in the past. She is frequently at Nucla High School’s gym assisting with the girls’ basketball team and has been involved in the Montrose West Recreation program as a coach. Erin is always looking for ways to be a part of things that are bigger than herself and that is why she became a part of these entities. Her desire is to give back, to protect and to become a resource for the beautiful place she and her husband call home.
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." – Martin Luther King Jr.
Doylene Garvey
Board Member
Doylene is currently serving her 3rd 4-year term on the Board of Directors for the San Miguel Power Assn. Doylene is also a Chairperson for The West End Advisory Committee, member of the Nucla-Naturita Chamber, a member of the Spruce & Columbine Garden Club, and an advisory member for Nucla Parks & Recreation.
Doylene has previously been a Chamber officer, a mentor for One to One, a Board member for the West End School District, and a Board member for the Charter School. Doylene was the Citizen of the Year in 1990.
Doylene is married to Stan Garvey, who graduated from Nucla High school as did their three children. Stan is self employed by Garvey Brothers’ Land & Cattle.
Doylene and Stan were partners at their outfitting business for 26 years, before their son Dustin took over the business for 8 more years. Currently, Doylene’s favorite job is being a grandma to her 6 grandchildren, caring for 2 of them during the week days.
Troy Masters
Board Member
Troy Masters fell in love with the West End over a decade ago when his partner, a third generation Nucla native, brought him here for the first time. Since then, he has spent as much time as possible in the West End, finally becoming full time members of the community in 2021 and becoming local business owners on Main Street in Naturita with the opening of Paradox Cycle. Troy's professional experience is in operational management and consulting, product management, solution architecture, and process optimization, where he strives to leverage technology in such a way as to enhance individual human contributions.
Barb Olander
Board Member
Barb fell in love with the west end while on vacation here 4 years ago and within 6 months had relocated to Nucla. She enjoys riding and exploring the many beautiful surrounding areas. Recently retired she is now becoming involved in the community and it’s many activities. Her professional experience in the direct response marketing industry providing customer service to many Fortune 500 companies and later as a project manager and project analyst in the broadband cable services industry.
Barb is excited to bring her skills to help the WEPIFT organization and the community grow.