The story about a pot of gold at the end of rainbows originated in Ireland. According to legend, when a poor farmer pulled the last carrot from his garden, he found a leprechaun dangling from the root. Being captured, the leprechaun promised to grant one wish in exchange for his freedom.

The farmer and his wife began to wish for many things – new tools, a big house, jewelry, and riches. The leprechaun was taken aback by their greed, so he promised that they could find his pot of gold hidden at the end of a rainbow where they could have all their wishes. With a wink and his freedom, the leprechaun left the couple to chase their fictitious fortune.

The Endowment last month unveiled our “Grants Rainbow” of grants categories. Unlike the leprechaun’s rainbow of yore, the Endowment’s rainbow describes various types and purposes of grants to help New Hanover County residents and organizations better understand the opportunities provided by the Endowment and how the Endowment is relevant to them.

The Rainbow consists of the following grant investment categories:

    •    Community Grants: Grants up to $5,000 sourced and recommended by the Community Advisory Council (CAC) and others.

    •    Capacity Grants: Grants for fiscal sponsors and innovation development.

    •    Operations Grants: Investment in established non-profits to boost outcomes.

    •    Project Grants: One-time grants for a project, program, or event.

    •    Strategic Grants: Three-to-five-year investments in pillar solutions.

    •    Social Impact Investing: Partnerships in major social problem-solving investments.

Segmenting philanthropy into different categories of grant awards offers several advantages for grant recipients:

    •    Tailored Support: Categorized grant awards enable organizations to apply for funding that directly aligns with their specific needs and missions.

    •    Increased Accessibility: Breaking down grant opportunities into smaller, more focused categories makes the application process more accessible to a wider range of organizations.

    •    Greater Flexibility: Different categories of grants may offer varying levels of flexibility in terms of grant size and how funds can be used, allowing recipients to allocate resources effectively.

    •    Strategic Alignment: Segmented grant categories allow recipients to match their capabilities to the Endowment’s strategic goals of transformational improvement in education, health and social equity, community safety, and community development.

    •    Long-Term Partnerships: Categorized grants can facilitate the development of long-term partnerships between the Endowment and grantees, fostering collaboration and sustainability.

There is not a clever leprechaun at the end of the Endowment’s Rainbow, but there is a golden opportunity to make a difference for everyone in New Hanover County.

Dan Winslow
President and CEO of the New Hanover Community Endowment