Small Change Fund Empowers Grassroots Initiatives Across Canada

Small Change Fund, a registered charity in Canada, delivers crucial support to grassroots organizations through crowdfunding, expert campaign advice, and coaching. Established to empower individuals and communities, the fund aims to tackle pressing issues such as environmental protection, poverty reduction, and reconciliation efforts. With a diverse staff of 28 experts working nationwide in both English and various Indigenous languages, the organization has successfully aided over 270 initiatives since its inception.

Co-founded in 2009 by Ruth Richardson and Mary McGrath Vyas, Small Change Fund was inspired by the concept of micro-funding to bolster grassroots initiatives. Richardson currently serves as the chair, while McGrath Vyas holds the position of executive director. The charity focuses on investing in local leaders who possess an intimate understanding of their community’s needs, offering guidance and financial support to help them realize their goals.

Comprehensive Services and Support

The Small Change Fund provides a variety of services, including a crowdfunding platform, campaign strategy, fundraising support, government relations, digital strategy, communications, financial systems support, and research assistance. Abbie Branchflower, the Project & Communications Manager, plays a vital role by assisting partners with messaging, grant writing, project management, and digital outreach.

“Our mission at Small Change Fund is to empower grassroots groups by providing the necessary tools to enact change,” Branchflower stated. “Since our founding, we have remained committed to supporting these organizations that bring passion and knowledge to their communities. We help them navigate fundraising and strategic planning, enabling them to achieve remarkable results.”

Highlighting Impactful Initiatives

Small Change Fund supports a broad spectrum of initiatives, some of which have gained significant attention. For instance, Karen Barnes is currently facing a potential $400,000 fine due to Burlington City Council’s claims regarding her ten-year-old garden’s compliance with bylaw standards. Barnes has established a fund to assist with her ongoing legal challenge.

Another initiative, the Demand A Moratorium Now! campaign organized by the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, advocates for a pause on new gravel mining applications. This effort aims to assess future aggregate needs while safeguarding the environment from the adverse impacts of mining activities.

Water Watchers, dedicated to the conservation of water resources in the Great Lakes Watershed, emphasizes that water is a fundamental human right. The organization aims to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) in Canada by 2030.

Less widely known projects also reflect the diverse efforts supported by Small Change Fund. One such initiative is Hot Globe, an online comedy series designed to engage audiences with climate change issues through humor. Created by Canadians Alex Tindal, Miguel Rivas, and others, the series aims to raise $2,000 to enhance awareness of the climate crisis, with donations currently at $413.

Additionally, the documentary FAIRY CREEK, which premiered at the Planet in Focus Film Festival in October 2024, highlights the struggle to protect a vital old-growth forest ecosystem in Pacheedaht First Nation territory. Directed by Jen Muranetz, the documentary showcases the massive civil disobedience movement against the Teal Jones Lumber Corporation, which threatens this environmental haven. The project aims to raise $30,000 and has already garnered $18,347 in donations.

Small Change Fund continues to invite public participation in its initiatives, encouraging individuals to sign up for their monthly newsletter and engage with the organization through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

For more information about their impactful work and to support their initiatives, visit the Small Change Fund website. The organization remains dedicated to fostering community-led projects that can create meaningful change across Canada.