Change Happens Foundation
Change Happens Foundation is a private foundation based in Urbandale, Iowa. It supports organizations working in environmental science, education, and human services, with an emphasis on innovative, just solutions and positive change.
Change Happens Foundation at a glance
In short: Change Happens Foundation gave $255K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state California. 100% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $255,250
- -32.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,271
- +58.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $17,817,687
- +7.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 100% first-time grantees (12 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Change Happens Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s process begins with an online letter of inquiry providing basic organizational and project information. Applicants whose inquiries are accepted for further consideration are invited to submit a formal proposal; the foundation says not to submit a proposal without an invitation. Selected applicants meet virtually with a Co-Executive Director before a full board vote. The foundation’s stated eligibility requirements include current 501(c)(3) public charity status and two years of Form 990 submissions. It does not fund direct advocacy projects, organizations based outside the U.S., faith-based activities, endowments, scholarships, or special events. It also excludes projects from organizations with policies that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Grants are monitored through regular financial and narrative reports.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Kristin Nong
Mailing address: PO Box 3681, Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone: (515) 491-7111
Email: kristin@changehappensfoundation.org
Website: https://changehappensfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Change Happens Foundation
Who Change Happens Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Science Buddies ($50K). Together the top 10 received $250K.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 100 grants of 126 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports organizations with national or global reach and provides community grants primarily in Iowa, with occasional support in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara County, and the Puget Sound Area. In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in California (47%), Virginia (16%), New York (12%), Washington, D.C. (12%), and Colorado (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Change Happens Foundation open to new grantees?
100%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 12 grantees (100%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $21K. How we count
- 0% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 77% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 79% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $255K (2024) to $1.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $255K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Science Buddies Milpitas, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Solar Sister Inc Great Falls, VA | General Support | $40,000 |
| White Pony Express Concord, CA | General Support | $35,000 |
| Brigid Alliance New York, NY | General Support | $30,000 |
| Coalitions & Collaboratives Denver, CO | General Support | $25,000 |
| Resource Area for Teaching San Jose, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Openaq Washinghton, DC | General Support | $15,000 |
| Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Smithsonian Institute Washinghton, DC | Stars Educational Program | $15,000 |
| Community Education Partnerships Oakland, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Let's Go Compost Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Change Happens Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,817,687 | $1,254,141 | $935,883 | $255,250 | 12 | $675,019 | $996,719 | $849,756 |
| 2023 | $16,507,625 | $457,657 | $1,022,805 | $376,333 | 28 | $819,132 | $259,191 | $783,504 |
| 2022 | $15,588,730 | $640,926 | $1,662,200 | $895,000 | 26 | $1,383,477 | $370,858 | $812,757 |
| 2021 | $19,371,295 | $868,377 | $1,822,157 | $1,115,000 | 35 | $1,538,311 | $592,188 | $926,178 |
| 2020 | $18,728,184 | $1,110,235 | $1,798,611 | $1,113,400 | 25 | — | $852,014 | $858,442 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to invest in partner organizations that make positive change happen through innovative and just solutions. It values courage, collaboration, and impact, and envisions a legacy benefiting people and the planet.
Its three focus areas are environmental science, education, and human services. The foundation describes its environmental science work as supporting systemic, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Its education focus includes early education and STEM, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion and on empowering women and underrepresented communities. In human services, it supports work related to nutrition, food insecurity, and community health.
Examples of grantees’ work include Science Buddies, whose stated mission is to inspire and educate students through hands-on STEM explorations; White Pony Express, whose mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering surplus food to people in need; and OpenAQ, which says it provides access to air-quality data to help address air inequality.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $255,250. Individual grants ranged from $250 to $50,000, with a median of $17,500. The largest awards included $50,000 to Science Buddies, $40,000 to Solar Sister Inc, $35,000 to White Pony Express, $30,000 to Brigid Alliance, and $25,000 to Coalitions & Collaboratives.
Other 2024 grantees included Resource Area for Teaching ($20,000), OpenAQ ($15,000), the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Smithsonian Institute ($15,000), Community Education Partnerships ($10,000), Let’s Go Compost ($10,000), Urban Corps of San Diego County ($5,000), and Toxic-Free Future ($250). The foundation says organizations whose projects align with multiple pillars receive priority.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Douglas Troxel as board member, president, and CEO; Kristin Nong as board director, co-executive director, and CFO; and Serge Troxel as board director, co-executive director, and CSO. It also lists Deborah Troxel, Richard Woo, and Michael Troxel as board members or directors.
Change Happens Foundation is led by Douglas D. Troxel, Board Member, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Douglas D. Troxel
Board Member, President & CEO
President & CEO → Board Member, President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin D. Nong
Board Director, Co-Exec Director & CFO
Director → Board Director, Co-Exec Director & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
9.2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $79K (2024)
Michael Douglas Troxel
Board Director
CFO → CFO & Board Director, 2023
CFO & Board Director → Board Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
$186K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Serge Troxel
Board Director, Co-Exec Director & Cso
Secretary → Board Director, Co-Exec Director & Cso, 2023
On filings since 2020
9.2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $118K (2024)
Richard Woo
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$30K (2022) → $25K (2024)
Deborah Troxel
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kenneth D. Troxel (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $118K, to Serge Troxel (Board Director, Co-Exec Director, CSO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Change Happens Foundation
How much does Change Happens Foundation give each year?
Change Happens Foundation gave $255K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $376K across 28 grants.
What is Change Happens Foundation's typical grant size?
Change Happens Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $21,271, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Change Happens Foundation that year got $21K on average.
Where does Change Happens Foundation give grants?
Change Happens Foundation's top state is California, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (16%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washinghton, DC (2 grants).
Does Change Happens Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of Change Happens Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Change Happens Foundation's largest grantees?
Change Happens Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Science Buddies ($50,000), Solar Sister Inc ($40,000) and White Pony Express ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Change Happens Foundation?
Change Happens Foundation reported $17.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $675K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $850K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Change Happens Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to invest in partner organizations that make positive change happen through innovative and just solutions. It values courage, collaboration, and impact, and envisions a legacy benefiting people and the planet. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Change Happens Foundation?
The foundation’s process begins with an online letter of inquiry providing basic organizational and project information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Change Happens Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Iowa
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/a Greater Des Moines Community Fdn
Des Moines, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines supports projects that improve quality of life in Greater Des Moines, including housing and transportation access, health, economic opportunity, inclusive communities, and nonprofit capacity-building. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $12,900, though awards ranged from roughly $5,000 to $7.34 million.
Assets
$918.7M
Grants
1,259
Total Given
$55.7M
Pella Rolscreen Foundation
Pella, IA
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports charitable organizations working in education and community betterment, including civic, cultural, social, and physical-environment programs in communities where Pella Corporation employees live. Large grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 and typically cover no more than 25% of project costs; its 2024 grants had a median of $1,029. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in communities where Pella has manufacturing plants.
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
433
Total Given
$1.9M
Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino Inc
Altoona, IA
Prairie Meadows supports Iowa nonprofits in arts and culture, education, economic development, human services, and youth sports and recreation; Legacy grants focus on large-scale projects in central Iowa. Its programs offer $100–$1 million for Legacy, $100–$99,999 for Community Betterment, and $1,000–$50,000 for Youth Sports and Recreation. It accepts applications through its online system; the 2026 deadline was February 27, 2026, and has passed.
Assets
$327.6M
Grants
409
Total Given
$33.0M
Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation funds scholarships and career-education resources for employees of member long-term-care organizations and Iowa high school students pursuing long-term-care careers. Its typical giving level varies: it awarded 287 grants totaling about $4.1 million in 2024, and the listed high school scholarship is $2,000. Its programs focus on Iowa; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$329K
Grants
287
Total Given
$4.1M
New Charitable Foundation
Fort Dodge, IA
Assets
$6K
Grants
264
Total Given
$294K
More similar funders
More Funders in Iowa
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Change Happens Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/change-happens-foundation-morg_01c535b8f9214fd69c0cdf37a6fc7849
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205222620_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Change Happens Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/change-happens-foundation-morg_01c535b8f9214fd69c0cdf37a6fc7849},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Change Happens Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Change Happens Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?