Start a Small Change Fund Project
It could be protecting a local watershed, fighting poverty, or helping youth tackle climate change. Whatever it is you’d like to actively take on, this is a great place to start.
Most of our projects were started by people with little or no experience in fundraising, organizing, or challenging the status quo. They just found themselves presented with a situation that they wanted to change, then found us.
So here are the most common questions we get from prospective partners (that’s what we call the organizations we work with). If you take away just one thing from this, it’s that so-called “ordinary people” can not only do this, but are succeeding in ways they never imagined – and we help them do it.
If you’d like to submit a project for consideration, read our FAQ’s below, then download, complete and email our Intake Inquiry Form (in the button above) to info @ smallchangefund. ca (You’re welcome to email us with any questions as well).
How to Start a Project
frequently asked questions
What does Small Change Fund do?
Small Change Fund works with non-profits, grassroots groups, individuals and other charities to raise funds for specific projects, and – uniquely – provides a range of services to help those projects succeed. We hold the funds raised in trust and use them to pay the expenses it takes to run the project: things like lawn signs, salaries, media space we’ve bought, etc.
We are a registered charity (80335 5692 RR 0001) bound by the Canada Revenue Agency’s charitable requirements. All of our work must align with our Charitable Objects (the objectives a charity is created to achieve) and be approved by our Board.
Do you provide services to every project?
We tailor our support services to our partners’ needs. We’ve helped partners with communications and digital strategy, government relations, fundraising training, and we’re developing more training in key areas like campaigning.
So far, we’ve provided our services at no extra charge. We invest our time in your success, so the better you do, the better we do.
At the end of the day, this is why we were created: to provide invaluable services and skills to projects who could never access them any other way.
Do you take on every project that applies?
No. We have specific charitable purposes that a project must meet. Another factor may be a project’s location, as we’re trying to broaden our geographical impact. If a project has no specific timeline and we’re extra busy, we may ask them to come back later. Ultimately, all projects must be approved by our Board.
Is there a cost to be a Small Change Fund project?
There is no fee to be on our site or get our help and advice. However, we do need to keep the lights on and keep improving our effectiveness, so we charge a percentage of the donations raised to pay our staff and other expenses.
How do projects get donations?
Each project we accept gets its own donation page on our site with a unique URL, where partners can share their story, pictures and videos and ask for donations. And because we’re a registered charity, donors can get a tax receipt, which is a powerful incentive to give, or give more than intended.
Small Change Fund handles all the nuances of the tax receipts and donation administration, including government reporting, so that you can focus on the issue that brought you here in the first place.
Donors can give via debit card, credit card or PayPal, make an electronic funds transfer, give by cheque, or donate securities. We will help you create copy to inspire and steward your donors and prospective donors. Small Change Fund will also provide advice and expertise to help partners apply for grants from foundations and corporations.
To ensure that partner are in control of their information at all times, partners get access to a secure dashboard where they can see their financial data and donor information. Financial reports are provided every month that the project has financial activity (donations or expenses).
Anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Two things, actually, and they’re both misperceptions. The first is that we find donors for projects, or have a pool of donors looking for causes. And the second is that we’re strictly a crowdfunding site. Some donors think this, too. We don’t find donors, or have a pool of donors looking for causes. What we do have—which answers the second misperception—is experts from all aspects of making change that help partners with the services below. So crowdfunding is just the tip of our iceberg. And while we don’t hold your hand throughout our relationship, we’re definitely by your side.
TESTIMONIAL
“From advocacy materials, to marketing campaigns to legal action, the Small Change Fund team and their range of skills has helped us punch above our weight, and given us the confidence that we can fund any intervention needed to save Ontario Place.”
Norm DiPasquale –Co-Chair, Ontario Place for All
our services
Crowdfunding Platform
A completely redesigned, state-of-the-art crowdfunding and donor management system, with multimedia storytelling abilities.
Campaign Strategy
Campaign and advocacy strategy development, community organizing support, campaign execution support.
Fundraising Support
Fundraising strategy development, donor management, grant application support and writing.
Government Relations
Access to coaching and resources that enable partners to pursue government relations activities.
Digital Strategy & Support
Help building partner social media presence, social content creation, digital strategy training.
Communications
Messaging and creative campaign development, Media Relations support, advertising and design execution.
Financial Systems Support
Managing project finances, financial reporting, maintaining records for CRA compliance.
Administrative Support
One-on-one assistance with our platform; project management support; management of donation intake, tax receipts, processing fees.
Research
Help with identifying existing and required research, report development.
Human Resources Support
Consultation on HR strategy and management, T4 and T4A documentation.
TESTIMONIALS
We’ve been learning a ton since day one. We didn’t expect the quality and depth of strategic advice and guidance we would receive!
Mitchell Beer, Energy Mix
The wonderful team at Small Change Fund makes it easy for us to do the work we want to do. We can count on them for highly efficient project management and fundraising support. Furthermore, SCF is a great place to get connected with like-minded folks working on impactful projects!
Jacqueline Lee Tam, Climate Hub
Small Change Fund offers their partners access to many valuable resources – including a high-level digital strategy training course and advocacy tools. Thanks to them, we have become more effective.
Savannah Nguyen
GET INSPIRED, ENRAGED,
ENGAGED…
AND INVOLVED!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER