100%
0%
10 hours
Median
100%
0%
97%
3%
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:
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Reviewer 9413 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
I was amazed by the efficiency at which Open Road operates. The staff could not be more helpful. As I had questions through the application process, they were quick to respond and explain changes that were needed.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Completely accessible, open and honest.
Good
Open Road truly has a unique model, identifying projects requiring a "bridge" to ensure the desired outcome is met and stepping in to see that it gets done. Could not be more pleased.
The only 'advice' I could give would be to identify more sources of capital to put to work. They have a model that needs more recognition from the marketplace. They are fulfilling a clear need for investment.
Open Road gets to the heart of the problem quickly. The impact is there, but why does the entity need this capital (i.e. what is the roadblock and why?). They are able to see that and navigate through these otherwise complex issues quickly and efficiently.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
This worked well because 1) We were introduced to ORA and 2) We had extensive discussions with them about whether or not we would meet their criteria. Through those discussions it became a lot more evident that we would have a legitimate shot at getting funded. It also helped greatly in honing our application message.
Risk taker, Responsive
(Unknown)
Grant currently pending
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
They were very very good at defining their criteria for funding and helping determine whether or not we would meet that criteria.
20
Reviewer 2600 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
They work fast. Are responsive. Provide guidance through the application process to help you refine the narrative into their funding criteria. If for-profit, it is probably best to structure your ask so that Open Road gets its capital back upon raising further funding or closing a particular sale.
Responsive
(Unknown)
Applied and not funded
Other
2018
Good
I was introduced to the funder and they were very response once connected.
Average
I would challenge Open Road to expand the scope of what they fund to better align with the various types of obstacles that stand in the way of creating impact on the ground. I think their grant and debt offering could have greater impact if applied to the missing middle funding gap than to their current criteria of only: mid-implementation, unexpected, discrete, and catalytic funding opportunities.
Make sure your funding need is "discrete" enough before diving into the rest of the application process.
Was not funded
I absolutely love the role the funder is playing in the "unexpected roadblock or opportunity" space and the fact that they offer both grants and debt capital. The funder was also very clear in feedback, and fast with their decision making.
25
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It's probably best to have a quick call before you apply - we were introduced to someone here so I don't know whether they would accept a cold call. The application process was very straightforward and they were very supportive along the way in terms of understanding next steps and their decision criteria.
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
Very straightforward process for applications and they are quick to make decisions. Given applications are for bridge funding which is often urgently needed, this approach is so helpful and very refreshing.
15
Reviewer 5667 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Understand Open Road's criteria for funding, have an initial call to see whether and how your project might align, be thorough, and be honest.
Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Open Road staff are very accessible and helpful throughout the entire process. They lay out clearly what they are looking for, ask all the right questions, and are very available.
Good
I am so impressed that Open Road had the foresight to establish a mechanism for covering unexpected funding gaps. It is vital.
None, for us, everything went really smoothly and the process was very transparent.
Open Road fills a very unique and vital niche. For organizations who find themselves in the horrible and unexpected position of having a project funding gap for reasons beyond their control, Open Road is a critical partner.
They are communicative, clear, and smart.
15
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Communicate directly and often with Open Road. They sincerely want to help companies that provide positive impact but have hit unexpected roadblocks. They are very responsive and were a big helpful throughout the entire application process.
Positive leader in the field, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Texas
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
ORA are fantastic communicators. They were very responsive and worked with us every step of the way.
Good
We believe they are achieving their goals. They provide funding to social enterprises that have hit roadblocks and have taken strides to streamline the process as much as possible.
N/A funder has done a great deal to streamline the process and are very responsive. It's hard to imagine a simpler way they could still meet their impact criteria.
Extremely efficienty, communicative and organized. Set a timeline and stuck to it.
10
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Be clear and comprehensive. ORA is smart and will see right through a request that isn't substantive.
Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Maryland
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Once you're in the door with them, they're unusually hands on and responsive.
Good
They're identified a need for nonprofits that not sexy or glamorous, but critical .
Scale up.
There should be more funders like ORA.
They understand the realities of doing this kind of work.
10
Reviewer 6178 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Be sure to carefully review their four criteria — unexpected, mid-implementation, discrete, and catalytic. Ensure your situation meets each of the four criteria before applying, and be as clear, detailed, and straight-forward as possible about your roadblock, what caused it, and how you will move past it.
Risk taker, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Massachusetts
Applied and not funded
2017
Good
Open Road Alliance gave us great feedback on our initial proposal, and helped us reorganize our points to better highlight what their review committee was looking for.
Good
Open Road Alliance's model is unique in the field, and takes into account nonprofit realities where unexpected events can really take impact off track.
6
Reviewer 126 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
An initial meeting or call is important to understand how your project fits with ORA's unique criteria, and to develop a compelling narrative. The ORA website is a comprehensive and a good starting place for understanding the criteria.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Very accessible and open-minded. They were also willing to provide detailed feedback.
Good
ORA has an interesting approach and their application process, criteria and type of grants available seem to match well with their aims.
Unique approach and quick responses for catalytic funding.
Clear articulation of their criteria and aims as a foundation.
15
Reviewer 162 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The funder is willing to act quickly - answering questions, reviewing responses, scheduling calls - so don't drag it out on your end. Complete the application quickly and thoroughly, update the application based on the feedback received carefully and quickly, and be very responsive.
Risk taker, Insightful, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Indiana
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
We were introduced to the funder by a third party. I believe that helped immensely in accessibility to the funder.
Good
Based only on our experience: the funder wants to provide emergency funding to get over an unexpected crisis with a clear plan and path of post-funding stability. Our project fit that bill well (we though) and it felt that our funding came quick readily once the need and opportunities were clearly articulated.
No advice. Our experience was outstanding.
We approached them with fairly simple roadblock but a very complex program and situation. The folks we worked with were bright - they "got it" quickly, when many funders (and others) we work with never really seem to get it.
Quick turn-around and very thorough responses - I was quite impressed!
10
