100%
0%
10 hours
Median
100%
0%
95%
5%
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:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Open Road Alliance strives to be grantee-centric, and they absolutely live up to that goal. It was really quite remarkable and illustrates just how far most other grantmakers have to go to similarly support their non-profit partners. Our Investment Officer spent an hour with us on the phone, helping to refine our case. After we submitted our LOI (no full proposal required) we received additional feedback - and had the opportunity to make edits! The Investment Committee probed thoughtfully and gave the impression that they understand the non-profit perspective and experience. Finally, we received a response within a couple of weeks of the meeting. Even had we not received funding, I was still very impressed with the experience.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Array
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
They are among the few funders who understand that occasionally urgent roadblocks arise, despite good planning and efficient fund management. They respond quickly and are considerate about timing - their process doesn't take much time, and the staff is very supportive.
10
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It is worthwhile to speak with an existing grantee to understand the specificities of ORA's "implementation gap" definition. ORA does not fund operations, which can be a challenge for NGOs as many implementation gaps exist around operational challenges.
Positive leader in the field, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Array
Grant currently pending
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
The model ORA uses is innovative, efficient and empowering. The challenge with existing NGO funding modalities is that the investment of time needed to complete an application is significant and the probability of success is limited. ORA inverses this reality and sets up applicants for success or they ensure that they do not waste NGO's precious time by making them fill out a lengthy application that in the end will not be funded.
Good
Perhaps reframe the definition of "implementation gap." The definition may be too strict and preclude NGOs doing valuable work from applying.
The pairing of applicants with an Investment Advisor is extremely valuable and this is something we wish other funders would do.
10 to 15 hours
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Do your research first. They have very specific ways they get involved and these standards are not flexible.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Array
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
While the staff is highly informed, relational and well-researched, the ultimate decision makers seemed less so. For example, they seemed less versed on our organization despite having already submitted the proposal they requested and one of them asked the exact question her colleague asked on two different occasions during one call. This illustrated a lack of focus during our call which we have not encountered from the staff. My advice would be that each person joining the call read the information first and be prioritizing the conversation during the conversation.
The staff are exceptional. They understand the issues NGOs face and are willing to take risks that most other funders are not open to considering. I hold the founders and the staff in high regard for their thoughtfulness on how to engage in the sector in a manner that has high levels of impact.
This funder found a niche that is much appreciated. They are high risk and they create an environment in which both parties can be transparent.
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
They will dig into the minute details of your application to ensure that you did indeed try every option before coming to them for emergency funding, so be prepared to give when, how, what dates, how many times you tried to "save" funding for a project before asking them, for example.
Risk taker, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
ORA focuses on giving emergency funding in cases of unforeseen needs (e.g. a pledged funder backs out and the project is in jeopardy without the full funding amount). Regarding this, we believe ORA was efficient, professional, and accommodating of our extraordinary circumstance.
Streamlined grantmaking process. It was a preliminary call, 2 iterations on a grant application, a final call, then in 24 hours the decision made.
20
Reviewer 2371 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
ORA team is Very approachable, responsive and have the most effective and quick decision making process for Social enterprises that meet a roadblock mid implementation and needs quick funding to overcome the roadblock to be back on track.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Friendly, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Very approachable.
Good
I believe they are successfully accomplishing their current philanthropic set goals.
Still pondering.
N/A
They are probably the quickest in determining an application.
1
Reviewer 8258 - Professional in the field
Open Road has been an amazing resource for many nonprofits in my network. They fill a need many foundations are unwilling to address. Generally you can only get funding once from them as the requirements are very specific and limited to removing unforeseen roadblocks.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
California
Professional in the field
Other
2018
Good
Good
They produce great resources for other funders and the social sector field that advocate for a more supportive and empathetic approach to grantmaking.
Removes funding constraints in the moment help is most needed.
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
They have four distinct criteria that you must align with to be considered. It's helpful to review these (on their website) as you think about applying to make sure your "roadblock / opportunity" aligns with their criteria. Once you do connect, they are extremely helpful in talking trough your challenge and how it aligns (or doesn't).
They did reach out to one of our partners for an interview to help better understand our specific challenge. We felt this was really helpful for Open Road to more deeply understand our roadblock and future project potential!
Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Pennsylvania
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
Thank you for taking the time to provide thoughtful feedback during our application process! It allowed us to ensure we were explaining the full story behind our roadblock. It was also extremely helpful as we refine our proposal materials as we were able to explain more deeply the ways in which we met all 4 of your criteria.
They provide extremely useful real time feedback on your proposal during initial conversations. They take time to read your roadblock concept, discuss, and then offer specific feedback that is deeply useful as you continue to refine your proposal materials.
20
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It's good to just be honest and lay out the problem you are facing in the most simple and logical way possible. The ORA team is in a better position to help in this case.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
The application/approval process was very smooth and very straightforward. Definitely the fastest process I have ever experienced. The staff was very supportive throughout the process and we never lost contact.
Good
The alliance wants to provide emergency finance (either grant or loan) for projects/enterprises which are faced with unforeseen, potentially compromising circumstances in their work. I thought that ORA had a very effective framework for assessing the challenge we presented them, and looking at their body of work I believe they do an incredible job in fulfilling their mission to help projects encountering a roadblock.
Work fast - from the moment we applied to the moment we got approved it only took 2 weeks (maybe a little less).
10
Reviewer 5393 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
ORA is extremely candid and up-front about what is and isn't a fit and there is tremendous organizational alignment around the fit. This is unusual and very helpful since its unlikely program officers will send you on a wild goose chase -- thanks goodness! So, have the conversation. It's usually very predictive of whether it's worth moving forward. While ORA has quite strict criteria, they are open-minded. Don't shy away from making the case. They'll tell you if it's not a good fit :).
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Good
Good
Sharp, sophisticated, honest and open-minded. Some work required up front, but very light touch and enabling throughout. A recipe for catalytic and discrete success.
The application process is a bit more work and time-consuming than ideal given desire to act fast and catalytically.
Grantee-centric engagement. They listen really well -- in the 1% of donors.
15
Reviewer 6557 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Open Road fills a specific and needed niche - bridge funding and they excel at it. A call with them to describe your situation is needed up front and the personnel are extremely helpful and easy to work with.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Massachusetts
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Super accessible, very easy to deal with, very flexible to our needs, extremely responsive
Good
Open Road really gets the challenges that nonprofits that need bridge funding face and they have built there model to react quickly, efficiently and with compassion.
Bridge funding by definition needs to happen quickly and Open Road was able to get from our initial meeting to an approval in approximately a week, which is to say extremely quickly. This is absolutely critical for the type of emergency funding they are providing.
10
