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​​Eligibility Requirements:
To be considered for funding, organizations must have a current 501(c)(3) Public Charity status. We are unable to support inquiries from private foundations or organizations without two years of Form 990 submissions, as verified through GuideStar Charity Check.
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Territories:
We focus on supporting organizations with national or global reach to drive meaningful, wide-scale catalytic impact. In addition, we provide community grants to strengthen local initiatives — most heavily in Iowa, and occasionally in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara County, the Puget Sound Area, and Portland.​
Grant Application Process:
1. Determine Eligibility: Review our criteria and ensure your project aligns with our focus areas. Organizations that align with multiple pillars will receive priority. If not, we recommend utilizing the Foundation Center’s extensive database to find suitable funding opportunities.
2. Apply: Initiate your application through our portal linked below. This step helps assess whether your project matches our current priorities and budget.
3. Proposal Submission: Following a positive review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal for further consideration and meet virtually with a Co-Executive Director prior to a full board vote.
Exclusions:
We do not fund:
- Direct Advocacy Projects
- Organizations based outside the U.S.
- Faith-based activities
- Endowments, scholarships, or special events
- Projects from organizations with policies discriminating based on ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
We value your efforts in making a positive impact and thank you for your interest in the Change Happens Foundation. While our grant process is competitive, we are inspired by each application's dedication and potential to foster significant change. We look forward to the possibility of supporting your projects and encourage those not selected to consider reapplying or seeking other funding sources.
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Notice Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence:
As part of our review process, we use secure artificial intelligence tools to assist staff and trustees in evaluating applications. These tools support our internal workflow but do not make final decisions. All funding determinations are made by our team. By submitting an application, you acknowledge and accept this use of AI in our evaluation process.