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 of the West Elk Community Fund is designed to support local nonprofit organizations and community improvement projects within Paonia, Crawford, Hotchkiss, and nearby areas through a competitive application process. A steering committee of local community leaders oversees the selection of grant recipients annually. The fund allows community-minded donors to contribute at any level, distributing funds every November for projects in the following year. This initiative aims to act as a community-wide funding vehicle in a region lacking such a resource, with the goal of making a lasting impact on the local community.