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?
97%
3%
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
Largest Grant:
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Average Grant:
Top descriptors for this funder
43Responsive32"Gets" nonprofits and issues31Friendly31Positive leader in the field31Risk taker29Insightful28Openminded17Builds relationships10Gives more than money6Culturally sensitive1Reasonable character restrictions1Gives general operating grants
Advice from a Friend
Open Road Alliance
May 18, 2020
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Transparent organization and very responsive - we really appreciated the time and effort they made to truly understand our work while asking insightful questions. Their straightforward manner is a breath of fresh air
Pros
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, 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
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep doing what you're doing
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
The application process was one of the most pleasant we've experienced - we appreciated that this funder approaches applications like drafts in the sense that your idea needs to be clearly articulated for them to determine alignment or not, but they give thoughtful feedback in order to deliver final revisions.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
20
May 05, 2020
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
I was very impressed by how streamlined and transparent this process was. Thank you!
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded, tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
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?
8
Apr 29, 2020
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
If you meet the criteria for the funding (experiencing a road-block) and have funding in sight, this is the right partner to bridge you through that gap. I'd try to get a warm intro from someone that you know.
Pros
Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
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
This is such a unique fund and rightly placed in the market to support high impact start-ups and organizations weather the many storms that they'll experience.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They make sure to really understand you, the business, and where they could fit in. They take the time to really get to know you.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
15
Apr 28, 2020
Reviewer 5102 -
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Clear criteria and quick and responsive process - be sure to read the criteria and discuss during your phonecall with them
Pros
Gives more than money, Risk taker, Insightful, Friendly, 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
very accessible and straightforward.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?
Good
very successfully!
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
stay as you are - really enjoyed our interaction!
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
The funder listen to your funding request carefully and offer prompt feedback and grant processing times. They are focused on their stated mandate and your request should match that.
How many hours did the grant application process take?
0
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
