Giving Keys to a
Better Tomorrow.
Open Roads Foundation provides financial assistance to single parent students in Central Pennsylvania so they can drive toward a brighter future.
Start Your Grant Submission
Financial Assistance
Up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a new or used vehicle from any PA-licensed car dealership.
Empowering Students
Helping single parent students overcome transportation barriers and pursue their education and career goals.
Building Brighter Futures
We believe reliable transportation opens doors to opportunity, independence, and a better tomorrow.
OUR MISSION
A Story That Inspires Our Mission
Open Roads Foundation was inspired by a young man whose father’s plans didn’t involve supporting his family. As a single parent, his mother faced countless financial challenges. Affording a car was out of the question.
Upon graduating high school, that same young man had ambitions to go to college. He wanted to build a career and have a family of his own. He wanted to leave his hometown and start a new chapter, but he didn’t have the means until a kind stranger sold him a car for the exact price he could afford. It allowed him to attend classes, work part-time jobs, and later graduate with honors. That first car, purchased for $500, opened doors to new opportunities and a brighter future.
We created Open Roads Foundation to pay that kindness forward. Our mission is to help single parent students gain the reliable transportation they need to pursue their dreams and create a better tomorrow. Whether it be college, or the military, or immediately entering the work force, we can help provide the means for them to get there.
GRANT DETAILS
$5,000 toward the purchase of a new or used vehicle from any PA-licensed car dealership.
Funds can go toward the outright purchase of a vehicle.
For example, if the total vehicle cost is $5,000 (tax and tags included), the Foundation can pay $5,000 and cover the expense completely.
If the total vehicle cost is $10,000, the Foundation can pay $5,000 and the recipient can pay the remaining balance directly.
Funds can go toward a down payment if the vehicle purchase is financed with an auto loan.
Vehicle purchases involving a private party seller are ineligible. This is to safeguard against the grant potentially being manipulated for self-gain (i.e., a recipient purchasing a vehicle from a friend or family member at a price that's inconsistent with normal market conditions).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Provide a transcript verifying a 3.5 GPA or better.
Provide a typed essay in PDF format, using 1,000 words or less, answering the question: "Where do you want to go?"
Provide a notarized statement or tax document (with social security numbers removed) verifying single parent household status.
Must be a current High School Senior. Must have a valid driver license. Must be a resident of Cumberland County, Dauphin County, Juniata County or Perry County.
Submission dates are September 1 to November 1. Full submissions will be considered when submitted during this time frame. Submissions outside this time frame will not be accepted.