Founded in Ottawa in 1975, Inter Pares works with its international counterparts — local and national activist organizations — to help communities confront injustice, implement solutions, develop innovative initiatives, and advocate to governments. Inter Pares is also committed to engaging Canadians in the struggle for global justice and equality. The charity specifically focuses on issues surrounding women's equality, peace and democracy, food sovereignty, economic justice, health, and migration. 

Inter Pares currently works with over 75 social justice organizations in 22 countries (ten in Africa, six in the Americas, and six in Asia). In F2020, 73% of international program expenditure went to the following three organizations: Burma Relief Centre ($2.4m), Likhaan Center for Women's Health - Philippines ($275k), and the Sudanese Organization for Research and Development ($191k). Inter Pares did not provide a breakdown of spending by program.

Women's Equality: Inter Pares’ work to support women’s equality focuses on women’s health, women’s leadership, feminism, violence against women, and women’s rights. In F2020, the charity's counterpart, Tamil Nadu Women's Collective, brought together 100,000 marginalized women in Tamil Nadu, India, to address abuse, promote agroecology, and support female political participation. Inter Pares also provided 91 women and girls training on mental health, bodily autonomy, and the right to live free from violence in Mexico, in F2020.

Peace and Democracy: Through this program, Inter Pares works to protect and enforce freedom of expression, human rights, and Indigenous and ethnic rights. Together with 65 Canadian organizations, Inter Pares joined the call to publicly condemn state-sponsored violence and the speech of President Duterte in the Philippines by sending a joint letter to President Trudeau, in F2020.

Food Sovereignty: Inter Pares works to foster sustainable food systems that support small farmers, feed communities, and protect the environment. In F2020, Inter Pares accompanied 16 Senegalese rural women leaders to the Journées de l’Agroécologie event in Dakar. Over 400,000 people gathered at this event to discuss and validate policy recommendations that supported the Senegalese government’s transition to agroecology.

Inter Pares received donations of $1.8m in F2020. Inter Pares also received $4.1m in government funding in F2020, accounting for 65% of total revenues. Its administrative costs are 4% of revenues (excluding investment income), and its fundraising costs are 26% of donations. For every dollar donated, 70 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.  

The charity has funding reserves of $7.6m, which can cover 1.4 years of its annual program costs. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Inter Pares for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated July 27, 2021 by Rachel Leteta.