Who We Are

The mission of the Change Happens Foundation is to act as a meaningful catalyst towards positive change. We are a private, family-based organization committed to helping highly motivated groups with pioneering programs and forward-thinking projects.

Who We Support

The philanthropic goal of the Change Happens Foundation funding initiative is to assist innovative charities with a high-level of impact and a strong history of making good change happen.

The top three areas of focus for the Change Happens Foundation grantmaking are:

• Science
• The Environment
• Education *

* Schools must have either a valid 501(c)(3) credential or a charitable fundraising foundation with verifiable federal tax ID.

Quick Links

• About Us
• Featured Grants
• How to Apply

Troxel Hall Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking ceremonies for Troxel Hall, Iowa State University's newest classroom auditorium, were held on October 21. Named in honor of Douglas D. Troxel, an ISU alumnus and president and CEO of the Change Happens Foundation, the 400-seat classroom auditorium will optimize the quality of instruction and student learning in introductory courses in the physical and social sciences.

In addition to state-of-the-art instructional technology and lecturer demonstration capabilities, Troxel Hall will employ eco-friendly features designed to reduce its carbon footprint. Lighting for 75 percent of the building’s occupied space will be provided by natural daylight, and the building will feature energy efficient windows and a roofing system that utilizes highly reflective material and a "green roof" to reduce energy needed for cooling. Click here to learn more.

Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy

The ceremonial ribbon was cut at the Eilings Center for Engineering Education in Galeta California on October 2, 2011. The Change Happens Meeting Room is part of this state of the art STEM education facility, built to accommodate the expanding Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy.

Amir Abo-Shaeer, founder and director of the DPEA said, "The new facility will give the Engineering Academy the equipment and space to make four-year project-based education a reality." Mr. Abo-Shaeer was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2010 for his work with the DPEA and their competitive Robotics Team 1717.

The Change Happens Foundation is very pleased to support the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy. With DPEA addressing both of Change Happens Foundation's targets of science and education in one public facility, we feel doubly rewarded for assisting in this project.