The West Elk Community Fund, in partnership with the Western Colorado Community Foundation, aims to serve as a permanent charitable endowment benefiting the people of Paonia, Crawford, Hotchkiss, and the surrounding regions. It focuses on fostering community growth and support by funding local nonprofits and improvement projects, ensuring long-term investment in the area's welfare.
The grant program managed by the San Juan Community Fund focuses on bolstering local nonprofit organizations and community improvement initiatives through a competitive application process. Funds are allocated annually based on decisions by a local steering committee of community leaders, supporting projects in the following year. This program acts as a community-wide funding mechanism, akin to a United Way, created in partnership with the Western Colorado Community Foundation, ensuring a lasting impact through a permanent charitable endowment.