Fairfield Trust grant applications due April 1

Grant applications for the Freeman E. Fairfield Trust are due April 1, 2011, by 5 p.m.
Applications may be mailed to P.O. Box 2302, Meeker, Colo., 81641 or they may be delivered to Todd Young at the First National Bank of the Rockies. Applications must be received, (not postmarked) by April 1.
Application forms are available from Diane Dunham or any Fairfield Trust committee member.
Applications for grant requests for non-profit organizations of more than $1,500 are accepted twice a year in April and October.
The trust was established in November 1969, after the death of Freeman E. Fairfield. Fairfield’s will directed First National Bank of Denver (now Wells Fargo) be appointed trustee of his $2 million bequest.
The trust currently has a principal balance of more than $4.2 million. Throughout its existence, the trust has poured millions of dollars back into the community through the school district, Pioneers Hospital, the fire district, library, recreation and parks district, CNCC, local churches and many other community entities and endeavors.
The will states funds are to be used for religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational endeavors and recipients must be 501(c)3 organizations.
More than $1 million has been granted for educational purposes, including renewable scholarships for Meeker High School graduates pursuing higher education.
The will also states the vicar of St. James Episcopal Church, the president of First National Bank of the Rockies, the editor of the newspaper, president of the school board and president of the Pioneers Hospital board be members of the local trust committee.
For scholarship information, graduating seniors will need to meet with the counselor at Meeker High School.