August 28, 2025
A Message from Our President
Every so often, an organization undergoes a massive technology update. These are typically longer-term deep dives into upgrading key IT infrastructure.
We just went through such a project, completely revamping our on-line crowdfunding platform to provide better options for our donors and improved project management tools for our partners. We also updated our website and integrated everything with a powerful contact management tool. And yes, there were some bumps along the way – and we thank our donors and partners for their patience.
In the end, these types of projects can only succeed with key leadership. In our case, that was Aneesa Piracha. She led a small team of warriors over 20 months to design, program and implement this change.
As our Director of Technology, Aneesa was relentless, resourceful, calm, smart and ultimately successful. We are a much better organization for it. Unfortunately for us Aneesa has moved back to the UK, and we will sorely miss her. But we also welcome Shay Kennedy who will continue to support our essential IT services. You will “meet” Shay in next month’s newsletter.
From all of us at Small Change Fund, thank you Aneesa! We wish you well with everything you do.
– Burkhard 
This One’s for the Birds (and the Planet)
Two years ago, Karen Barnes reached out to Small Change Fund for help fighting back against the City of Burlington’s opposition to her naturalized garden. Their approach so far has included threats of fines, razing the garden to the ground and a summons to appear in court.
The City is now seeking over $400,000 from Karen for growing a naturalized garden on her own front and back lawns. The pre-trial began yesterday and we’re dug in right next to Karen. You can learn more about the case (and the benefits of naturalized gardens) in our press release, as well as the history of this seven year saga here. We are also accepting donations to help fund the challenge.
This is about more than just one garden. As Karen puts it, this fight is a “…precedent-setting legal challenge to allow Canadians the right to protect nature on our own yards.”
Thank you, Nehan!
A fond farewell to Nehan Mohammed, who joined us for the summer as IT Administrative Assistant. Nehan has played an instrumental role supporting the final phase of our digital transformation and has been a whiz at helping us reorganize our data. A big thank you from the Small Change Fund team!
Anchors Away to Save Georgian Bay
Visitors to Georgian Bay last weekend may have witnessed a colourful armada of watercraft on the Bay. The vessels – from sailboats to inflatable dinghies – launched as part of Save Georgian Bay’s peaceful but adamant protest against the proposed TC Energy pumped storage project. While the project is not yet approved, the Ontario government has pledged $285 million to support the company and may even fast-track it under the new Bill-5.
“We ask all residents around the Bay to continue to let political leaders know this environment, this habitat and protecting Georgian Bay from these absolutely unnecessary risks is priority #1,” says Tom Buck, Save Georgian Bay director. Click here to help us Save the Bay!
A Disappointing Decision
We take on a lot of David v. Goliath battles, and sometimes the giant wins. Last month, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) decided against us and partners No Clearcuts Kingston in our fight to save 37 acres – 1,800 trees – from clearcutting. One of these trees is a 220-year-old white oak, sacred to the local Indigenous community.
“This OLT decision certainly shows how vulnerable our natural surroundings are,” shares Kathleen O’Hara in the No Clearcuts press release. “Politicians and officials can label areas “Significant” and so on, but what real protection does this offer in our present “Build, Build, Build” society?” The Tribunal has set some requirements for the development of the property and we’ll keep you posted.
From Coast to Coast to Coast
Small Change Fund staff visited many beautiful natural places across the country this summer. From Silent Lake, Hollow River and Arrowhead Provincial Park in Ontario, to Tadoussac, QC, Churchill, MB, Gabriola Island, BC and Kejimkujik National Park, NS, we enjoyed the restorative power of nature. These beautiful places are a big part of what we fight for every day here at Small Change Fund!
Small News Bites
- Not up to reading yet another Annual Report? We’ve got you! Check out our video snapshot of what we were up to in 2024!
- We’re excited to partner with the Gardner Bursary Fund to support the next generation of clean energy professionals. Click here to read about the inspiring recipients of this year’s scholarship!
- Save the date! On October 9, Small Change Fund’s Get on the Bus program will launch our much-anticipated Train-the-Trainer guide during an interactive youth transit programming webinar. Registration is now open!
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable long weekend!
Sincerely,
The Small Change Fund team
P.S. Your donation directly to Small Change Fund allows us to keep improving services and supports to help more grassroots projects succeed nationwide. Thank you for helping make change!
