Telluride Foundation: West End Pay It Forward Trust

03 Sep Telluride Foundation: West End Pay It Forward Trust

West End Pay It Forward Trust close to end-of-year goal, just $2,000 short of their end-of-year goal, thanks to an anonymous donation.

Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, the West End Pay It Forward Trust (PIFT) received a 10,000 donation. The gift has brought funding for the PIFT to about $18,000. The PIFT is now only $2,000 short of raising the $20,000 necessary to receive a $10,000 match grant.

The PIFT’s growth in the last year has been tremendous, increasing from $400 in July of 2015 to nearly $18,000 in just over a year, the result of successful fundraising events, a partnership with Citizens State Bank of Ouray, Naturita Branch to set up donations as automatic withdraws, increasing community awareness, and the tireless work of the PIFT board members.

The PIFT is striving to keep the momentum going forward, but needs community help to do so.

With only three months left in the year, PIFT is asking that every community member considers giving so that this local permanent endowment, supporting Nucla, Naturita, Paradox, and Bedrock, can receive the $10,000 matching grant.

In addition to one-time donations, the PIFT is asking community members to consider giving $10/month, although no amount is too small. The PIFT is currently receiving monthly donations from six local community members who make automatic deposits from their Citizens State Bank accounts; anyone interested in making a monthly donation from their account can call or visit the bank. Any amount of money given is essential for the Trust to achieve its goal of $30,000 by the end of the year.

Additionally, the West End PIFT encourages the community to consider the organization in their long-term planning, as estate bequests are an essential part of creating a successful endowment fund. Adding the West End PIFT to your will allows community members to make a difference in the West End by paying it forward to help the community now and for future generations.

Launched in late 2013, the West End Pay It Forward Trust has partnered with the Paradox Community Trust to create and grow a permanent, locally controlled endowment that can support current and future community betterment projects. The Paradox Community Trust is a vehicle to receive, hold and invest charitable dollars raised by local PCT communities, including the West End, Norwood, Dove Creek, and Rico.

Interest generated from the West End endowment will help support community and economic development, which could include support for local nonprofits, emerging entrepreneurs, and other charitable causes in the West End.

All money raised will be used in the West End to support and develop local organizations and the community.  The PIFT’s board includes: Jane Thompson, Paul Koski, Susan Rice, and Jane Reed.

If you are interested in learning more about PIFT or joining the Board, please contact us here or visit our website here or go to Facebook here.