February 26, 2025
A Message from our President
We are getting a lot of snow in Huntsville. Our Muskoka region in Ontario has received so much of the white stuff that our snowbanks are now over six feet high! If indeed, “snowflakes are kisses from heaven,” as the saying goes, we have been treated exceedingly well by heaven.
All this snow unites us – we chat as neighbours as we shovel it, we complain about it at Tim Hortons, and we share war stories about driving on it. Indeed, snow is perhaps the ultimate unifier – no one gets away from it.
The snow is also a great distraction from the insanities happening in the world. When I recently snowshoed through four feet of snow, all I saw was beauty and forgot about everything else.
Yes, snow can cause havoc in the big cities. But it also quiets the city, gives kids a reason to ditch their screens, and reminds us that nature is everywhere.
So here is to enjoying it while it lasts. After all, we are the Great White North. Coo loo coo coo, coo coo coo coo.
– Burkhard 
P.S. For those in or from Ontario, please get out to vote today!
Welcome, Antoinette!
We are excited to welcome Antoinette Mak as VP of Finance and Operations. Antoinette has more than 20 years of experience driving impactful change in the charitable sector. As an alumna of the Harvard Women and Power Program, she is dedicated to empowering women to lead through collaborative, inclusive and innovative approaches – fostering resilience, community-driven solutions and sustainable impact. At Small Change Fund, Antoinette helps drive strategic growth and operational excellence to ensure that our projects receive the support and resources they need to create lasting impact.
When not monitoring budgets, Antoinette enjoys trips to the jungles of Sri Lanka. On these trips she immerses herself in hours of deep meditation while surrounded by the calls of purple-faced langurs.
Farewell, Robert
Antoinette is taking the reins from the wonderful Robert Lombardi who leaves us at the end of the month. Robert joined the Small Change Fund team as Chief Financial Officer in 2023. Throughout his tenure at Small Change Fund, Robert has helped us navigate our growth and plan for an exciting future. A huge thank you and all the best on your next adventure, Robert!!
Going Bananas!
Our partners in South Bruce recently celebrated the success of their five year campaign to prevent a nuclear waste dump in their community!
Why the bananas? Proponents for the dump claimed potential exposure to radiation would be no greater than the natural radiation emitted by bananas, downplaying the hazards to the community and local environment.
Congratulations to everyone – bananas included – on this exciting victory!
Tax Year-End Reminder (again…)
Tomorrow is the last day to make a donation and receive a tax receipt that can be applied to your 2024 tax filing. Tax receipts received for donations made through February 28th, 2025 can be used for either the 2024 or 2025 tax year. 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 bringing your change!
Taking the Plunge for Georgian Bay
This month’s Polar Dip to protect Georgian Bay has raised over $14,000 so far! While the annual event usually involves plunging into the Bay, the extreme cold and snow made this too hazardous. Instead, participants got creative and dove into a snowbank, made snow angels and dumped a bucket of ice water over their heads. As a bonus, the virtual nature of the Dip means we have plenty of Instagram videos of folks participating from around Ontario! You can still donate to Save the Bay and support these courageous dippers!
Great job to everyone who worked so hard to make this initiative happen and to all those who took the plunge.
Council Win for Mount Nemo
On January 28th, the City of Burlington unanimously voted to oppose the expansion of the Mount Nemo quarry, citing concerns about air pollution and environmental impact. Our partners at CORE Burlington have been tirelessly fighting this expansion. “The motions from the City are a significant step forward for us as we move to the real test, the OLT [Ontario Land Tribunal] hearing starting March 4th,” said CORE President Gord Pinard. “The 60 business days allocated for the OLT will show the culmination of more than five years in a community’s fight against the quarry’s expansion plans.”
New Projects
Protect Waterloo Farmland Now: to work alongside the farming community fighting the expropriation of 770 acres of farmland in Wilmot, Ontario, as well as a 51% property tax hike.
Waring’s Creek Restoration and Defence Fund: to raise funds for expert testing to ensure environmental impact is considered in the city of Picton’s (Ontario) plan for urban development.
Small News Bites
- We continue to support free-for-youth transit and training across Canada through our Get on the Bus program. Recently, there have been exciting updates in Regina (Saskatchewan), London and Peterborough (Ontario).
- Do you know a youth-led group working hard to address the climate crisis? Consider encouraging them to apply for the Canadian Youth Climate Action Award! Applications are open until March 17th, 2025.
- Major congratulations to singer-songwriter and longtime environmental advocate Sarah Harmer for receiving the Humanitarian Award at the 2025 JUNO Awards! Sarah is Co-Chair of the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition who are our partners in Demand[ing] A Moratorium Now on gravel mining in Ontario.
- The Chiefs of Ontario are seeking party status on a critical Ontario Land Tribunal case involving aggregate mining in Springwater.
- Small Change Fund President Burkhard Mausberg is featured in the latest episode of Hidden Gems Toronto and shares how we have grown to support hundreds of grassroots organizations across Canada. Small Change Fund partner Lee Adamson is also featured on the podcast!
We hope everyone is weathering the recent winter storms well and staying safe and warm.
Sincerely,
The Small Change Fund Team
P.S. Our brand new website and crowdfunding platform launches next month! Keep an eye out for a special edition newsletter about our digital transformation and our journey along the way!
