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