The decrease in public funding and the growing need for services, along with restricted financial and human resources, is forcing women's organizations to search for new partnerships. However, the potential for women's organizations to develop partnerships with institutions appears very limited. In fact, the results of this research shows that barely 2.3% of all institutions (representing 6 institutions out of 266) have expressed a definite interest in supporting violence against women's programs in women's organizations. Through two surveys, one of 30 women's organizations in the Lower Mainland and another of 266 institutions nationwide, this research examines the various issues regarding partnerships between women's organizations and institutions. A focus group with women's organizations and interviews of institutions supplement the information collected through the surveys. Women's organizations' needs, goals and ethical considerations for future partnerships are presented, as well as the benefits and the costs accruing from partnerships. Institutions' expectations, resources, interests, current practices, and criteria for selecting partners are also explored. The findings of this study have lead us to conclude that unless the federal and provincial governments fulfill their responsibilities of funding women's organizations, the work of preventing violence against women may be threatened.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Carla Reid, Carla Conrod, Laura Anderson, and N. Gitanjali Lena for their contribution to this project. Special thanks to Jennifer Johnstone, Audrey Johnson, Patricia Kachuk, and Yasmin Jiwani for their invaluable criticisms, suggestions, and input through the process and to the final document - Catherine Dat.
VANCOUVER WOMEN'S FUND MEMBERS