Change Happens Foundation
Change Happens Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Urbandale, Iowa. Established in 2006 and tax-exempt since August 2007, the foundation operates as a family-based philanthropy organization dedicated to catalyzing progressive and secular social change through strategic partnerships with innovative nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.8M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$255K
-32.2% YoY
Grant Count
12
-57.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+58.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Change Happens Foundation reported a distributable amount of $850K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Change Happens Foundation invests in partner organizations that make positive change happen through innovative and just solutions. The foundation values courage, collaboration, and impact, with a vision of creating a legacy benefitting both people and the planet.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education (including early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, STEM education, and education services)
- Environmental Science and Environmental Stewardship (including sustainable solutions, renewable energy, and climate change)
- Human Services
- Science and Engineering
The foundation emphasizes a dynamic approach to philanthropy, fostering partnerships with top-tier charity leaders dedicated to enhancing the human experience through impactful, efficient, and innovative programs. Organizations addressing multiple focus areas receive priority consideration.
Grantmaking
1. Determine Eligibility: Review foundation criteria and ensure project alignment with focus areas
Grant Range
$20,000
Average Grant
$34,400
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Change Happens Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations with national or global reach to drive wide-scale catalytic impact. Community grants strengthen local initiatives, with primary focus in Iowa and occasional funding in:
- San Francisco Bay Area, California
- Santa Barbara County, California
- Puget Sound Area, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (Most Recent Data):
- Total Assets: $15.6 million to $17.8 million
- Total Annual Giving: $255,250 to $895,000
- Annual Revenue: $458,000 to $640,900
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Tax-exempt status: Designated as 501(c)(3)
Financial Trend: The foundation maintains substantial assets with variable annual giving levels depending on strategic priorities and funding decisions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,817,687 | $16,507,625 | $15,588,730 |
| Revenue | $1,254,141 | $457,657 | $640,926 |
| Expenses | $935,883 | $1,022,805 | $1,662,200 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $675,019 | $819,132 | $1,383,477 |
| Net Investment Income | $996,719 | $259,191 | $370,858 |
| Distributable Amount | $849,756 | $783,504 | $812,757 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Change Happens Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Science Buddies ($50,000), Solar Sister Inc ($40,000), White Pony Express ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BRIGID ALLIANCE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| COALITIONS & COLLABORATIVES DENVER, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| LET'S GO COMPOST SCOTTSDALE, AZ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| OPENAQ WASHINGHTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| RESOURCE AREA FOR TEACHING SAN JOSE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| SCIENCE BUDDIES MILPITAS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| SMITHSONIAN ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE WASHINGHTON, DC | STARS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| SOLAR SISTER INC GREAT FALLS, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| TOXIC-FREE FUTURE SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Executive Leadership:
- Kristin Troxel – Co-Executive Director
- Serge Troxel – Co-Executive Director
- Douglas Troxel – Member Director / President and Chief Executive Officer
- Deborah Troxel – Member Director
- Richard Woo – Board Director
- Zoe Nong – Board Director
- Liza Burmeister – Board Director
- Lydia Nong – Board Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS TROXEL | BOARD MEMBER, PRESIDENT AND CEO | 1 | — |
| KRISTIN NONG | BOARD DIRECTOR, CO-EXEC DIRECTOR, CFO | 9.23 | $79,142 |
| SERGE TROXEL | BOARD DIRECTOR, CO-EXEC DIRECTOR, CSO | 9.23 | $117,714 |
| DEBORAH TROXEL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RICHARD WOO | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | $25,000 |
| MICHAEL TROXEL | BOARD DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: P.O. Box 3681 Urbandale, IA 50323 USA
Website: changehappensfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Change Happens Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Change Happens Foundation invests in partner organizations that make positive change happen through innovative and just solutions. The foundation values courage, collaboration, and impact, with a vision of creating a legacy benefitting both people and the planet. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education (including early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, STEM education, and education services) • Environmental Science and Environmental Stewardship (in…
How do I apply for a grant from Change Happens Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $250 to $200,000 • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: $34,400 • Recent annual giving: $255,250 to $895,000 (varies by year) • Number of grants awarded annually: 26 grants (recent year) **Application Process:** 1. Determine Eligibility: Review foundation criteria and ensure project alignment with focus areas 2. Apply: Submit initial application through the foundation's online portal for priority and budget assessment 3. Proposal Sub…
Where does Change Happens Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations with national or global reach to drive wide-scale catalytic impact. Community grants strengthen local initiatives, with primary focus in Iowa and occasional funding in: • San Francisco Bay Area, California • Santa Barbara County, California • Puget Sound Area, Washington • Portland, Oregon
What size grants does Change Happens Foundation award?
In 2024, Change Happens Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $255K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Change Happens Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Change Happens Foundation reported a distributable amount of $850K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Change Happens Foundation's EIN?
Change Happens Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5222620. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Change Happens Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Main Street Fort Dodge Inc
FORT DODGE, IA
Assets
$315K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
John & Beverly Anderson Charitable Trust
VINTON, IA
Assets
—
Grants
18
Total Given
$22K
Daniel J & Ann L Krumm Charitable Trus
AMES, IA
Assets
—
Grants
21
Total Given
$228K
Barbara Jean Couturier Charitable T
DAVENPORT, IA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Joseph Andres Family Foundation
OKOBOJI, IA
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$7K
The Vredenburg Foundation
CHARITON, IA
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$280K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Change Happens Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Change Happens Foundation to a real strategy.