4 survey respondents
Location: 75 Arlington Street, Boston, 02116 MA
EIN: 04-2104021
50%
50%
15 hours
Median
50%
50%
50%
50%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 8355 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
OpenDoor is a crapshoot. We were told multiple times that there was nothing to improve our application--but when pressed on why, then, we were not picked, we were told they couldn't provide context on what made other applications stronger. Grantmaking is TINY compared to the overall foundations assets and giving in donor-advised funds.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic, Risk averse
Massachusetts
Applied and not funded
Other
2018
Average
Grants staff are accessible. Donor-advised are stonewalled.
Bad
Have applied for multiple grants through Open Door. Only ever funded because of one staff member in another department who believes in the organization.
25
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It helps to be "in" with them here. Their goal is to grow by managing individual donor accounts, which really reduces the ability of the non-profit to connect with the donors themselves. They also so large, that they are able to connect with every new resource that comes to town, for before there is a way for the non-profits not "in" with them can make a connection.
Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic
Massachusetts
Applied and not funded
2018
Average
They need to be open to all the non profits out there: they are supposed to be providing funding, and steering donor advised funds to the community, but they have a conflict in that they also determine what they consider the right way to do things and only fund those things.
10
Reviewer 5444 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2014
It's like dealing with an extremely moody, capricious authority figure. They have the power, and it's hard to guess whether they will be extremely supportive or extremely difficult. They are often so brilliant, innovative, and effective that I hate to say a negative word about them. However, it's impossible for an outsider to predict when a person or project will be singled out and favored.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive
Massachusetts
Current or former grantee
Other
2014
Average
Mixed. Sometimes they are wonderfully responsive. Other times, staff members will simply ignore my attempts to reach them by phone or email.
Good
Listen to your grantees, and members of the community who have never been grantees. Do everything you can to encourage them to speak truth to power, and remember that you are a power.
As an outsider, I don't know anything first hand, but I get the impression that it's all about the vision and aspirations of the foundation's president.
Our understanding was that they were going to support our new initiative for two years. However, they pulled out sooner, because their strategy/direction had changed.
Bringing people together to learn about and discuss crucial issues for the region. They are committed to being more than a source of cash, and their convenings are inspiring.
20
Reviewer 563 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The largest funder in Boston yet their funding scope is very narrow. You really need to know someone to get any $$ outside the Open Door grants.
Insightful, Likes site visits
Massachusetts
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Average
Average
5 to 10 hours
