Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is a 3-star charity with Fair demonstrated impact. The charity is financially transparent and has a below-average results reporting grade and overhead spending within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1985, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (Schlifer Clinic) supports women who have experienced violence. The clinic was established in honor of Barbra Teena Schlifer, a young lawyer who was assaulted and murdered on the day she was called to the bar of Ontario. Schlifer Clinic offers legal representation, counseling, and interpretation services to clients. Through legal advocacy, it works to change the conditions that threaten women’s safety, dignity, and equality.

Special Projects - 29% of total program spending ($1.1m): Schlifer Clinic runs a Special Projects program to inform the public about gender-based violence and other important issues. In F2022, 2,267 clients accessed the clinic’s services through projects, symposiums, consultations, forums and more.

Interpretation services - 26% of total program spending ($964k): Through Interpreter Services Toronto, the clinic provides free interpretation services to women in counseling sessions and legal proceedings. In F2022, 6,574 clients received interpretation services in over 170 languages. Interpreter Services Toronto also operates as a social enterprise. It offers interpretation services for a fee to other sectors and organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

Counseling services - 25% of total program spending ($931k): Schlifer Clinic offers individual and group counseling sessions to women who have experienced abuse and violence in childhood or adulthood. The clinic supports women who decide to remain in their current relationship or helps them find housing if they choose to leave. In F2022, the clinic provided counseling services to 2,907 women, an increase of 33% from 2,187 clients in F2021.

Legal services - 20% of total program spending ($747k): Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic provides free legal services to victims of violence and abuse. In F2022, 2,546 women received legal services related to family law, criminal law, immigration and refugee law, and family court support, a 40% increase from 1,818 clients in F2021.

The Schlifer Clinic also works on broader legal issues and advocacy projects surrounding women's rights. Current projects include #AndMeToo and the Criminalization of Women Project. The #AndMeToo project increases access to legal representation for women who come from complex socio-economic backgrounds and are victims of harassment. The Criminalization of Women Project addresses the disproportionate number of women who face criminal charges after reporting violence against them.

In F2022, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic received $1.6m in donations and special events revenues. The clinic received $3.2m in government funding, representing 61% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 14% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 19% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 33%. For every dollar donated, 67 cents go to the cause, which falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Schlifer Clinic has $3.3m in reserve funds, which could cover 88% or eleven months of its annual program costs.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 23, 2023 by Krystie Nguyen.