What was the overall relationship with the funder?
How many hours did the grant application process take?
10 hours
Median
100%
0%
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
96%
4%
How successfully do you think the funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Important Information
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
Interests/Priorities
Key Personnel
Financial Summary
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Sample Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits in
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Top descriptors for this funder
42Responsive31"Gets" nonprofits and issues30Positive leader in the field30Risk taker29Friendly28Insightful28Openminded16Builds relationships10Gives more than money6Culturally sensitive1Reasonable character restrictions1Gives general operating grants
Advice from a Friend
Open Road Alliance
Mar 25, 2020
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Open Road is very accessible, moves quickly, and is very supportive. We had a very good experience with them, and their funding came at a critical time for our company.
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2020
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
How many hours did the grant application process take?
5
Feb 12, 2020
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
ORA are open, accessible and great to work with- and the process is straight forward and not burdensome. It is useful to have a conversation with them about the issues you are facing before applying (and in any case they need to send the application form based on that discussion)- but they are accessible.
Pros
Risk taker, Insightful, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2020
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
ORA is playing a critical role- filling gaps and helping orgs overcome challenges when the support is needed most. They are flexible and understand the challenges NGOs might face.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
More people need to know about you!
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
The granting process is very quick.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2019
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
When an organization is in crisis, as all your applicants are by definition, it's essential that you have a process in place that's relatively low lift. Otherwise, if the applicant is not successful in their process, a struggling organization has used important resources at a critical time for no reason. We recognize that some of this is the nature of the philanthropic beast, but given that you specifically target orgs in crisis, this feels like an important point.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
15
Sep 18, 2019
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Understand its funding criteria and openly discuss them with ORAs team.
Pros
Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
Open Roads quick turnaround is very valuable. Haven't come across any other investor with the same speed of deciton.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Appreciated that we as entrepreneurs was part of the IC meeting.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
5
Jul 09, 2019
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Talk to them first to see if you fit into their funding criteria, then there is a little back and forth on their application portal. After this is done, it is quite straight forward.
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
How many hours did the grant application process take?
10
Jun 05, 2019
Reviewer 3682 -
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Definitely arrange a call first to understand the issues the team needs clarity on first. The process is simple and clear, the team is accessible. Very quick timeline, extremely helpful.
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
The team is very proactive and gives feedback quickly. Quick decision making.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
6
May 02, 2019
Reviewer 7717 -
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
To be very clear about the ask and the impact of the funded amount should have. That will smoothen the process tremendously and will make it easy for the funder and investee. Great and very pleasant team to work with.
Pros
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Openminded, Responsive
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Good
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
no advise. for us everything went perfectly smooth.
Is there anything else that'd be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
N/A
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Very clear about their process and supporting in the application process to align the narrative. Very lean and entrepreneurial friendly.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
8
May 02, 2019
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
In my view, ORA are the most professional funder in my company's space, which is the African energy access space. They are very fast; in our case, less than 1 month from the first contact to a decision. They are smart and well-organized. They do have a specific and narrow mandate and stick to that. But, as long as your funding need fits in their funding mandate, they are the best in the business!
Pros
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, Friendly, Responsive
