The West Elk Community Fund (WECF) is a charitable investment account to benefit the people of Paonia, Hotchkiss, and Crawford. Donations are used to support local nonprofit organizations and community improvement projects through a competitive grants application process.

West Elk community leaders partnered with the Western Colorado Community Foundation in 2018 to establish a permanent charitable endowment that distributes annual grants into the community for generations to come. Community-minded donors who share a connection to the place they live and a commitment to making their community better can make contributions of any size.

A local steering committee made up of community leaders reviews applications and awards grants once a year.

Since its establishment in 2018, the West Elk Community Fund has distributed more than $214,000 in grants to nonprofits in North Fork Valley.

Your donation allows us to respond to a broad range of community issues, including supporting nonprofits to expand services and meet needs in Paonia, Hotchkiss, and Crawford…now and for years to come.

Donations of any size are appreciated and are tax deductible. You can write a check, donate appreciated stock, or make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA to support the West Elk Community Fund.

You might want to consider leaving a gift as part of your will or estate plan. This can be as simple as naming WCCF/West Elk Community Fund as the charitable beneficiary of your IRA, other bank/investment accounts, or in your will.

By contributing to the West Elk Community Fund, you help invest in innovative solutions and respond to our communities’ unmet needs. Your donation makes a difference and changes lives.

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