As 2025 draws to a close (seriously, how did that happen?!), our team has put together some reflections on this busy, transformative, sometimes-unprecedented year. Climate change continues to threaten, as do changes south of the border. At the same time, the dedication of our staff, partners, funders and supporters has remained unwavering. So, we celebrate this year while looking forward to the next and hope you enjoy these messages from our home staff.

There are six bus stops in my town. Buses don’t even run on Sundays. And to be honest, I couldn’t tell you the last time I was on a bus. And yet, I’ve found myself passionately invested in our Get on the Bus programme. It’s a privilege to work on a campaign that has so many benefits for so many. This is not only climate work: it’s social justice, it’s youth empowerment and it’s community building. And with more than 50,000 youth across Canada benefiting from some form of free transit as of January 2025, the impact is huge. I am so excited to see how we continue to grow this movement in 2026.

— Abbie

One of the highlights of my year was our strategy sessions last September here in Toronto. Over the course of two days, we demonstrated our commitment to growing both as an organization and as a partner to various environmental groups. During these sessions, we explored strategic approaches to enhance our impact, strengthen collaborations, and identify innovative solutions to the challenges we encountered.

— Abigail

More than anything, 2025 was a year of transition for us. We launched new digital systems to help our donors and partners, brought on new staff leadership to guide us in finance and project management, and built up our program areas. Perhaps this transition is oddly coincidental with all the changes we are seeing in our world. And with our name containing the word “Change,” we are ready for anything in 2026.

— Burkhard

I’m always daunted by a hill before I start climbing it. But step by step, the incline is never as bad as it looks. At Small Change Fund, I see people and organizations moving impossible things up impossible hills. We’ve celebrated real wins this year — like the Youth Climate Corps in the federal budget — and we’ve kept on climbing many other hills. Step by step, we keep on going.

— Jacqueline

This year we had the pleasure of engaging Indigenous Philanthropy Advisors to begin our work of decolonizing the organization and learning how to engage with partners from a more relational perspective. We are prioritizing people over money, and learning to meet folks where they’re at to ensure our work is holistic, inclusive, and responsive to real community needs. Our team is committed to turning our learning into concrete action, with the understanding that this work must be ongoing and intersectional.

— Jen

A highlight of this year was helping Small Change Fund present a new face to the world, one that was more fitting of its role as the national leader it is: its new website, launched a few months into the year. Our little trio — Ericson Balagtas designing, Aneesa Piracha building, and me writing and creative directing — had the best client possible. A client that let us lead but made sure it led somewhere good — just like they do with the hundreds of projects under SCF’s wing.

— Jim

This year I was so impressed with the professionalism, commitment and capability of our partners and my colleagues. We have updated digital systems, faced more legal battles, added more training, raised more funds — and along the way kept our kindness. This year was also crazy for me. I am the club sandwich generation, with situations involving now four generations. I needed some support and patience from my colleagues and our partners as I negotiated around sick elderlies, siblings, and little ones. In a deeply busy year, the support was there. And goals were met.

— Kim

This year has been full of firsts! I co-designed my very first online training, made several in-person meeting trips to Caledon, Ontario (shout-out to Mike for driving while I rode shotgun), attended my first-ever award ceremony—the Good Fight Award—and finally got to meet most of my coworkers at our staff retreat. On top of that, I had the chance to work closely with many of our amazing partners through our Training Program. I learned more about their projects and gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible work they’re doing. It’s been a year of learning, connecting, and new experiences.

— Maseeda

The effects of the climate crisis become more visible every day and all of our backyards are connected. As I reflect on the past year, I take hope from the persistent effort and stamina of people who stand up every day to the relentless pressure of development in order to protect the environment that nourishes us all and to ensure the health and safety of their communities.

— Mike

This year hasn’t been an easy one, but a highlight for me was the in-person meetings our remote team was able to share. Connecting, laughing, and working together reminded me how many good people are in this work with us fighting for good change. And as a project manager, what sticks out to me is the level of trust our partners place in us: to help them get where they need to go, in managing their hard earned funds, in giving them the right advice, etc.

— Sarah

I joined Small Change Fund in September 2025, and in just a few months I’ve become deeply invested in the work we do. Starting a new role always carries some uncertainty, but this experience has exceeded my expectations: the team is welcoming, passionate, and dedicated to the organization’s mission. I’ve already seen the meaningful impact Small Change Fund has on this sector across Canada, and I’m excited to keep learning about the projects and partners we support while contributing to the growing impact we’re creating together.

— Shay

Thank you again to all of our Small Change Fund donors. You continue to support uplifting work in communities across Canada.

For some, this is a good time to consider a Gift of Securities – a wise choice given the very generous tax benefit for appreciated securities donated directly to a registered charity. If this is an option you are considering, please contact Kim Bilous at kim@smallchangefund.ca to discuss options. You can find more information about Gifts of Securities here. We would appreciate receiving gifts of securities by December 23, 2025 to ensure processing for a receipt this tax year.

However, whenever, and to whomever you give, please know how much your support is appreciated by our partners and our Small Change Fund team.

Wishing everyone a restful and joy-filled holiday season!

 

The Small Change Fund team

P.S. Small Change Fund will be closed December 24, 2025 – January 4, 2026, operating with a skeleton crew during this time. Donations can be made through our website as normal for this period.

P.P.S. We are pleased to welcome two new projects: Young Farmers & Farm Workers Scaling Out Food Sovereignty in Canada and Youth Climate Case. Check out their crowdfunding pages to learn more and show your support!

P.P.P.S. We are delighted to share that our Youth Climate Corps was a 2025 Atkinson Foundation Good Fight Prize finalist!