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.