This year’s Exponent Philanthropy conference was nothing short of energizing. We returned feeling reconnected to our purpose, inspired by our peers, and deeply grateful to be part of a philanthropic community grounded in trust, courage, and shared learning. In a time when many communities face increasing complexity and uncertainty, gathering in person with fellow funders felt both grounding and essential. Nearly 500 philanthropic leaders came together to reflect on how we can

At the Change Happens Foundation, we believe that dignity begins with the basics. When families have reliable access to fresh, healthy food, everything else in life becomes a little more possible. That is why we are proud to support the Urbandale Food Pantry, a community anchored in care, service, and the simple belief that no neighbor should ever go hungry. The Urbandale Food Pantry has become a vital resource for families across the Central Iowa. What began as a small, loca

At the Change Happens Foundation, we believe that meaningful progress on climate begins with knowledge, curiosity, and empowered young people. This year, we are proud to support SubjectToClimate, an organization that is transforming climate education for teachers and students across the country. SubjectToClimate was built on a simple but powerful idea: every student deserves access to clear, engaging climate learning resources, and every educator deserves the tools to teach t

Last week, members of the Change Happens Foundation team joined peers from across the country at the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s Leadership Retreat in La Jolla . The gathering brought together family foundation leaders, trustees, and next-generation philanthropists — all committed to learning from one another and strengthening how we lead, listen, and collaborate for greater impact. While much of our daily focus is on advancing our own mission, this retreat offe