OpenWater Grant Management

OpenWater Grant Management is software for grantmakers to manage applications, reviews, communications, and program data. Its form builder supports conditional logic and file attachments of any size. In multi-round reviews, reviewers can access assigned submissions and enter scores. Dashboards track decisions and reports, while fund tracking covers amounts, payment dates, and program budgets. Reporting and analytics help administrators examine program data and track outreach and follow-ups. OpenWater says it connects with more than 65 association management, CRM, directory, and payment gateway solutions, including iMIS, Salesforce, Higher Logic, Stripe, and PayPal. Listed safeguards include SSO, encryption, two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, and password requirements. It supports GDPR options and WCAG compliance. The product is available on Android and the web; submission pages adapt to mobile, and its app supports administrative and review tasks from any device. Pricing is custom and based on usage. OpenWater launched its brand in 2014 and was acquired by Advanced Solutions International in 2022.

OpenWater brings application intake, review, reporting, and post-award fund tracking into a grantmaker-focused system. Its custom pricing and lack of direct recommendation-request support are worth noting.

The software is designed for grant administrators at foundations, government agencies, associations, and higher education institutions. It is intended for grantmakers rather than grant recipients.

Overview

OpenWater Grant Management is software for grant administrators at foundations, government agencies, associations, and higher education institutions. It is strongest for teams that need to manage application intake, staged review, and post-award tracking in one grantmaker-focused system. The main trade-off is custom pricing, alongside a gap for recommendation requests that must be handled outside the platform.

Key features

A drag-and-drop form builder supports conditional logic and file attachments of any size. That flexibility suits grantmakers whose application requirements vary by program, without a stated attachment-size ceiling. Reviewers can access assigned submissions and submit scores in a multi-round workflow, making the system a better match for staged evaluations than for programs that need only a simple intake form.

After selection, dashboards track decisions and reports, while fund tracking covers funding amounts, payment dates, and program budgets. Reporting and analytics help administrators examine program data and monitor outreach and follow-ups. These tools extend the workflow into award administration, but the platform does not handle recommendation requests directly; programs that require them need a separate process.

OpenWater says it integrates with more than 65 AMS, CRM, directory, and payment gateway solutions, including iMIS, Salesforce, Higher Logic, Stripe, and PayPal. Safeguards include SSO, app encryption, two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, password-strength requirements, and GDPR support options. Integrated payment gateways must be PCI-compliant. Submission landing pages are mobile-responsive, and the administrative and review app supports use from any device; WCAG compliance is supported.

OpenWater says implementation includes a dedicated representative, support queries average a 10-minute response, and it guarantees an answer within one business day. For organizations implementing a multi-stage grant process, that stated support structure may matter; it does not remove the need to manage recommendations elsewhere.

Pricing

Custom subscription

OpenWater uses custom pricing based on individual usage needs, billed on a subscription basis. The custom subscription includes custom application intake, advanced award management, a full grantee portal, and advanced reporting and compliance. This structure may suit organizations whose usage varies enough to require a tailored package, but teams cannot compare a published price against their budget before requesting a quote. The plan does not establish a public seat count, quota, trial period, or renewal term.

Because pricing varies by usage, smaller programs should weigh the value of advanced award management, a full portal, and advanced reporting against the cost of a custom subscription. There is no cheaper published tier to compare or a free plan to test.

Platforms

OpenWater supports Android and web. Mobile-responsive submission pages and administrative and review functions from any device give applicants and staff options beyond a desktop browser, while WCAG support is relevant to programs with accessibility requirements.

Who it's for

This is a focused choice for grant administrators at foundations, government agencies, associations, and higher education institutions that need flexible intake, multiple review rounds, program reporting, and fund tracking. Its grantmaker orientation means it is built around the administrators’ workflow, not as a recipient-first grant portal. Look elsewhere if recommendation requests must be part of the same platform workflow or if a published, fixed price is a requirement.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Conditional forms, unlimited-size file attachments, and multi-round scoring support varied application and review processes.
• Pros: Dashboards, fund tracking, and reporting carry the workflow beyond selection into payment and program oversight.
• Pros: More than 65 integrations, mobile-responsive pages, device-accessible admin and review functions, and WCAG support cover a broad set of operational needs.
• Cons: Recommendation requests are not supported directly, requiring a separate step for programs that collect them.
• Cons: Custom subscription pricing varies by usage, so teams cannot assess a standard price or compare tiers before requesting a quote.

Alternatives

Consider Bonterra Penelope if you want a paid option with Android, iOS, web, and API platforms; its pricing is also by request.

Euna Budget may suit organizations focused on budgeting, with an Enterprise plan for large, complex jurisdictions and a Professional plan for smaller ones.

Choose SmartyGrants if a free trial is important before committing to a paid web platform.

Benevity Employee Groups is a paid, web-based alternative with custom-scoped pricing for an organization’s program.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT offers custom pricing based on organizational needs, with implementation, training, and ongoing support potentially included.

CommunityForce is another paid, web-based awards management option with pricing available through a demo or expert conversation.

Foundant CommunitySuite provides pricing after discussing an organization’s needs with Foundant.

GrantSolutions is a paid web platform whose partnerships are available only to federal agencies, with fees outlined in partner agreements.

For broader comparisons, browse Grant Management Software, Awards Management Software, or Event Abstract Management Software.

Verdict

OpenWater is a strong fit for grantmaking organizations that want configurable intake, staged reviewer scoring, post-award fund tracking, and program reporting in a grantmaker-focused system. Its breadth across the grant lifecycle is the main reason to choose it; custom pricing and the need to manage recommendation requests elsewhere are the clearest reasons to look elsewhere.