Support Our Efforts to Create Jobs, Improve Lives and Build Economic Prosperity in Communities Throughout New Mexico. Invest in WESST.

In the United States, small businesses are the driving force of stimulating economic growth — employing about 50% of all private sector employees. Small businesses play a particularly important role in low-income communities by creating jobs that promote a stronger, more stable business climate and an improved quality of life. WESST is the only New Mexico organization that offers comprehensive business training, technical assistance and loans specifically targeted to low-income women and minorities. Like any nonprofit, we struggle with operational costs and how to remain sustainable from year to year. Donations from individuals and local businesses are critical in helping us achieve our mission.

Your tax-deductible* donation to WESST will help improve economic conditions in communities across the state by helping us provide entrepreneurs with the access to capital and training that they need for long-term success. Please, consider making a donation today. Small businesses make a big difference in the economy of our state and our nation and your support does help. Scroll down to explore the many ways you can invest in WESST.

Invest in WESST | Join Our Job Creation Challenge

Support WESST’s mission to create jobs and improve communities by supporting our 2012 Job Creation Challenge. Make a gift of $5,000 to WESST and that gift will be matched by one of our job creation sponsors. So, if you commit to a $5,000 gift, for example, you will actually be recognized at the $10,000 giving level at WESST.

Thanks to the following job creation sponsors for creating jobs in New Mexico:

• Bank of America
• Frank D. Gorham & Marie Kelly Gorham Charitable Trust

At the end of 2011, WESST employees made a generous gesture showing the ultimate buy-in to the Invest in WESST Job Creation Challenge by collectively donating $5,000 as a staff. One month later, WESST client NOVA followed suit with their own $5,000 donation that was matched by two sponsors to create a total donation of $15,000, the largest single donation by a client. So, gather your friends and co-workers and challenge them to help WESST invest in the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy. If you’d like to learn more about the Job Creation Challenge or make a donation, contact Ann Utterback at 505-440-9969 or use this form to email Ann and be sure to indicate “Donation” in the subject line.

There Are Many Other Ways You Can Invest in WESST.

Take a look a the gift types below to find an option that best fits your individual needs based on your stage in life, financial circumstances and charitable giving goals.

Make a Secure Online Donation

Please select the amount you would like to donate from the pull-down menu below and then click on the “Donate Now” button below. You will be taken to a secure online payment system (You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation.)

Donate With Your Smartphone

Scan this image using your phone’s Quick Response (QR) code reader and make a donation while you’re on the go. We appreciate your generosity and want to make it as convenient as possible to give.

Donate by Mail

To donate by mail, please print out our contribution form and send it along with your donation to:

Donate by Phone

To make a credit card contribution over the phone, please call Lorena Schott at 800.Go.WESST (469.3778).

Make a Bequest

With a planned gift, you can provide meaningful and lasting support for WESST’s mission while at the same time achieving your own financial and estate planning goals. Planned giving techniques can allow you to leave a sizable charitable gift while also helping to reduce or eliminate income, estate and gift taxes.

Common planned giving techniques include giving assets such as IRA, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, and appreciated property such as stocks, securities and real estate, giving an interest in a family business and naming WESST as beneficiary of a life insurance policy. For more information about supporting WESST through planned giving, please call Ann Utterback, WESST Vice President of Development, at 505.246.6935 to discuss how you can help others get ahead by leaving a little something behind.

Promote Your Company Via Sponsorship

Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available for a variety of WESST activities and programs. Sponsor a special training, networking or outreach event in Albuquerque or around the state. Sponsors may display signage in our training rooms, and be recognized in the marketing materials and by the presenter at each of our live training classes. Training programs produced for audio and/or video distribution on our website and via CD and DVD are also available for sponsorship. Sponsors receive prominent recognition at the beginning and end of each program. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please call Ann Utterback, WESST Vice President of Development, at 505.246.6935.

Volunteer for WESST

Volunteering for WESST is an excellent way to impact lives in your community and contribute to the economic vitality of New Mexico by supporting the growth of small businesses. The time, energy and expertise you share with our clients helps to fulfill our mission. We are always in need of volunteers in three key areas:

• Training/Workshop Instructors Training Course Instructors to teach anything from accounting and intellectual property rights to public relations and internet marketing
• Business Consultants to whom we can refer clients in need of specialized guidance in areas such and technical product design, importing and exporting, the FDA approval process and joint venture development
• Experienced Entrepreneurs, Executives and Mentors to meet with WESST clients periodically to provide ideas for improvement, networking referrals and other feedback and insights.

Please note that WESST is not a venue to recruit clients.

Donate Office Equipment or Services

Offering services at a reduced rate to our clients and making in-kind donations of office supplies, equipment and furniture to WESST helps us better serve our clients. Some of the items commonly needed include copy machines, scanners, printers, laptops, and software products such as Intuit Quickbooks© and Microsoft Office Suite.©

Email Us to Learn More

If you would like to be contacted by our Vice President of Development, Ann Utterback, to discuss ways that you can support WESST in further detail, please fill out this email form and Ann will get back to you as quickly as possible. Please indicate “Donation/In-kind Donation” in the Subject field and, if you prefer that Ann call you, please include your telephone number and a convenient time to call in the Comment/Inquiry field.

*WESST is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please consult your tax advisor for specific advice regarding your contribution to WESST.

Our Pledge to Donors

We take our stewardship of your donation very seriously. All donors are assured that their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given, and that their privacy is respected and protected. (See our Privacy Statement.) We are committed to using all donations in the most effective manner to serve and support our clients and to maintain the highest standards for internal accountability. Click here to review our 2011 Integrated Report.