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The West Elk Community Fund (WECF) is a charitable investment account to benefit the people of Paonia, Crawford and Hotchkiss. Community-minded donors can make contributions of any size. Funds are used to support local nonprofit organizations and community projects through a competitive grants application process.
A volunteer steering committee of local leaders both raise funds and determine grant awards each year. Committee members this year include: Elaine Brett, David Livingston, Sarah Bishop, Kyle Hopkins, and newest member, Julie Bennett-Brown.
Donors of the West Elk Community Fund share a connection to the place they live and a commitment to make their community better.
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North Fork Community Choir, 2023 Grantee | |
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Nine North Fork area nonprofits received grants totaling $30,700 from WECF. The local steering committee reviewed applications and awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, for a variety of projects and general support. The WECF grants committee focused this year's funding on organizations with budgets under $150,000, and awarded fewer but larger grants to help organizations build capacity and sustainability.
The following organizations received funding for 2023:
- Citizens for a Healthy Community
- Coyote School dba Elsewhere Studios
- Dark Skies Paonia
- Friends of Youth and Nature
- North Fork Community Choir
- North Fork Senior Connections
- North Fork Valley Creative Coalition
- Paonia Senior Citizens
- Valley Organic Growers Educational Alliance (VOGEA) - funding partner of Valley Organic Growers Association (VOGA)
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Since its establishment in 2018, the West Elk Community Fund has distributed over $175,000 in grants to nonprofits in North Fork Valley. | |
A Word from the WECF Committee | |
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West Elk Community Fund founders and committee members: Sarah Bishop, Kathryn Thompson,
Greg Thompson, Steve Smith, Terry Randall, David Livingston, Elaine Brett, Lynn Mattingly,
Kyle Hopkins, Mark Walsh
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Whether you call it “giving back to the community” or “paying it forward,” the founders of the West Elk Community Fund (WECF) have something in common: They love the place that they've chosen to live and would like to see it survive and thrive.
As the newest committee member, Julie Bennett-Brown saw the power of a community investing in itself and the possibility of creating a lasting fund that could benefit area nonprofit organizations and the Valley, now and in the future.
In 2018, a small group of North Fork residents came together to form the West Elk Community Fund (WECF). Since that time, over 30 local households have helped build an endowment fund over $200,000 to strengthen local nonprofits and support local projects in and around Hotchkiss, Crawford, and Paonia.
As neighbors and friends, you're invited to explore the possibilities of making a lasting contribution to the West Elk Community Fund. Whether it is a legacy donation or meeting immediate needs, with your participation, large or small, you can put your fingerprints on creating a sustainable future for the beloved North Fork Valley.
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We invite you to give where you live... | |
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If you are interested in promoting local philanthropy and supporting a number of worthy projects benefiting your community, consider giving to WECF. Gifts of any size are appreciated and are tax deductible. Learn more about WECF here.
Donations by check should be payable to the Western Colorado Community Foundation and must include “WECF” noted in the memo line. Mail to P.O. Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502, or donate online.
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Other Work of the Western Colorado Community Foundation in the Area | |
In addition to the West Elk Community Fund, Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) has a number of funds and donors that support causes in the North Fork Valley. Below are a few updates about our donors and the work we do in Paonia, Crawford, and Hotchkiss. If you are interested in getting involved with our organization, or learning more, please contact Kristin Lynch at Klynch@wc-cf.org. | |
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Legacy Giving
Evelyn & Glenn Haley Funds
Evelyn Haley spent her childhood in Paonia and graduated from the local high school. While she spent most of her life in California, Evelyn moved back to western Colorado in 1999 to be closer to family. Generous throughout her life, Evelyn had confided to her sister that she wanted to keep giving after she was gone.
When Evelyn passed away in 2018, she left the bulk of her estate to our Community Foundation, setting up a three endowment funds to support her favorite causes: (1) victims of domestic abuse, neglected and disadvantaged women; (2) arts, culture, education, and literacy; and (3) homeless and neglected domestic pets.
The Haley funds served all the Western Slope and have granted $15,000 in the West Elk Region supporting organizations such as the Friends of the Paradise Theatre, Delta County Citizens for Animal Welfare and Shelter, and the Learning Council.
A legacy gift to our Community Foundation can be directed by the donor and used to support favorite organizations and causes long after the donor’s lifetime. For more information on legacy giving and charitable endowments, please contact us at (970) 243-3767.
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A Kidz Clinic
Providing Wellness Support for K-8 North Fork Families
A recent $10,000 grant from the Dave and Mary Wood Fund, managed by our regional Community Foundation, is helping A Kidz Clinic expand integrated dental services in their school-based clinics, including their new clinic located at the Hotchkiss K-8 school. Funds will support upgrades to dental equipment and help incorporate tele-dentistry into A Kidz Clinic daily practices to ensure Delta County children are getting the oral health care they need.
A Kidz Clinic was established in 2014 to provide programs for children, youth, and teens with medical, dental, and emotional wellness services. They also serve all of the Backpack Early Learning Academy (BELA) preschool programs across Delta County with dental screenings at no cost to families. Integrated oral healthcare through the Hotchkiss location is critical to children’s health as there is limited Medicaid covered healthcare options in the North Fork area.
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About Western Colorado Community Foundation...
The Western Colorado Community Foundation is a nonprofit, public charity established by local community leaders in 1996. We serve a seven county region that includes Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco Counties. We are growing steadily and now manage over 330 charitable funds totaling over $150 million in assets and award over $5.5 million in grants and scholarships annually.
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CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO CARE WITH CAUSES THAT MATTER | | | | |
