IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation)

🚨 New website alert! We’re excited to share our revamped site with you. It’s faster, easier to navigate, and redesigned to help you connect with our mission and take action—all in one place. Explore our work, support global relief efforts, and see the impact of your donations—whether you're on your phone, tablet, or computer. Visit idrf.ca to to check out our website today!

On this International Day of Education, we celebrate the power of learning, empowering communities, and building brighter futures. In the past year, over 111,000 individuals have gained access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and clean water. From Rauf in Afghanistan to Afifa in Pakistan and Naila in Somalia, these stories remind us that education is more than a right—it’s the foundation for opportunity and growth. Let’s continue building a world where every person has the chance to dream, learn, and thrive.

In the wake of the ceasefire, IDRF's Chief Operating Officer, Nabil Ali, is on the ground at the Rafah border, leading efforts to ensure lifesaving aid reaches Gaza. Over the past 15 months, we’ve been one of the few Canadian organizations providing critical support throughout the region. Right now, this moment offers a vital opportunity to expand our reach even further to every corner of Gaza. From food parcels and water supplies to medical kits and shelter materials, Nabil is overseeing every step of the aid delivery process. He is also coordinating with international NGOs and UN agencies to provide a comprehensive humanitarian response to those affected by the crisis. As Nabil shared, "This ceasefire gives us the chance to deliver aid families so desperately need—it’s about more than logistics; it’s about hope and survival." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gn73P86e Follow Nabil's journey and stay updated on our work by visiting our Instagram page.

Honouring the Legacy of Lincoln M. Alexander Throwback to last year—where we proudly attended the official unveiling of Lincoln M. Alexander’s commemorative bust at Queen’s Park, a project made possible in partnership with the LINC Committee, Black Opportunity Fund, and RBC. Key speakers, such as MP and current Speaker of the House Greg Fergus, were present to celebrate this powerful moment, honoring his lifelong fight for racial equity and his dedication to uplifting communities. Today, on Lincoln Alexander Day, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander—a trailblazer who broke barriers as Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, first Black Federal Cabinet Minister, and Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor. As the first Patron of Licensed to Learn (L2L), Lincoln Alexander was a dedicated advocate for education and leadership, playing a pivotal role in helping L2L support over 45,000 young people across Canada since 2002. Since then, L2L has provided educational tours at Queen’s Park to visit the bust of Lincoln Alexander. These tours highlight the contributions of Black Canadians to the nation’s history, address gaps in the curriculum, and encourage civic engagement among Ontario’s diverse student population. Lincoln Alexander’s legacy continues to inspire us as we work to empower future generations, champion racial equity, and build a more inclusive society. Learn more about Lincoln M. Alexander’s impact and how L2L continues his vision by visiting https://l2l.ca/.

At St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, students like Ella, Logan, and Mariam are experiencing the life-changing impact of the L2L peer tutoring program. From building connections with their peers to developing leadership skills, this program is helping them grow academically and personally. With the support of a $195,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, L2L programs have been adapted to respond to the needs of today's youth. Our new student portal, developed in close collaboration with Noman Siddiqui from Nomans Land Creative —provides peer tutors with access to curated resources, including our new digital tutor manual, games and quizzes, and educational videos, that allow them to effectively help their peers. These programs have empowered thousands of students across Toronto by fostering academic success, leadership, and resilience. Learn more about how L2L is shaping the next generation of leaders through peer mentorship and tutoring. 📖 Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gNtmdgyM

The ceasefire in Gaza marks a momentary reprieve after a prolonged period of destruction, displacement, and over 15 months of relentless bombardment. Families in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering — mourning loved ones, homes reduced to rubble, and entire populations displaced. At IDRF, we are committed to meeting this moment with urgency and hope. Our dedicated teams on the ground, Palestinians who have risked their lives, continue to deliver life-saving aid — food, clean water, medical supplies, and fuel to sustain hygiene and healthcare systems. This ceasefire provides a safer window for humanitarian organizations like IDRF to expand and dramatically scale operations across Gaza. As a leader in humanitarian response clusters, we are focused on coordinating with key agencies and local organizations to deliver aid efficiently and equitably, reaching communities in every corner of Gaza. However, for this work to be sustained, there must be unimpeded access to humanitarian aid. The Rafah border and all crossings must remain open to allow the safe entry of humanitarian organizations and essential life-saving aid. Since October 2023, IDRF has consistently advocated for safe and continuous access to Gaza, knowing that closed borders lead to devastating consequences. We remain steadfast in this advocacy, recognizing that access to aid is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Rebuilding Gaza will require a sustainable and robust approach, ensuring that local voices and priorities shape the path forward. Every donation, every action, and every show of solidarity contributes to rebuilding lives, homes, and hope. Your continued support allows us to provide essential aid and invest in long-term recovery. Together, we can rebuild lives, foster resilience, and ensure a future where every family in Gaza can live with dignity, security, and justice.

Montreal! Are you ready to pave your path as an entrepreneur and take your business to the next level? If you’re passionate about growth and innovation, join us at our Digital Marketing Conference to discover how to grow your brand, master content creation, and elevate your social media strategy. You’ll hear from seasoned entrepreneurs and content creators who are shaping the future of branding, influencer marketing, and online engagement. All ticket proceeds for this event will go towards the warmer winter campaign in Gaza so come out and support a great cause. Don’t miss out—register today 🔗at idrf.ca/events Event Details: 📍 Location: 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 7th Floor, Montreal 📅 Date: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 💵 Tickets: $30 (General Admission) | $20 (Students) 🎟️ Proceeds: All ticket sales will support our Warmer Winter for Gaza campaign. _________________________ French translation Montréal! Prêt·e·s à tracer votre chemin en tant qu’entrepreneur et à propulser votre entreprise? Si vous êtes passionné·e par la croissance et l’innovation, rejoignez-nous à notre Conférence sur le marketing numérique pour découvrir comment développer votre marque, maîtriser la création de contenu et optimiser votre stratégie sur les réseaux sociaux. Vous entendrez des entrepreneurs et créateurs de contenu chevronnés qui façonnent l’avenir du branding, du marketing d’influence et de l’engagement en ligne. Tous les fonds récoltés iront au programme Warmer Winter for Gaza. Soutenez une belle cause tout en augmentant vos compétences! Ne manquez pas cette occasion unique — Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant 🔗 sur idrf.ca/events 📍 Lieu : 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 7e étage, Montréal 📅 Date : Mardi 28 janvier 2025 ⏰Heure : 18h00 – 21h00 💵Billets: 30 $ (admission générale) | 20 $ (étudiants) 🎟️ Fonds collectés: Tous les billets soutiendront la campagne Warmer Winter for Gaza.

As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with immense gratitude. You helped us support 4,321,634 people across 34 countries, with emergency relief, water and sanitation access, food aid, education, training, and so much more. These are not numbers; these are real lives, real people, whose futures are brighter because of your compassion. Families in crisis found the strength to keep going. Children were given a chance at a better future. Parents, who had lost everything, were able to rebuild their lives. Your generosity continues to bring hope and change. Please visit idrf.ca/annual-report-2024 where you can learn more about the impact you made.

"My donation isn’t reaching Gaza." This is a common misconception — but it’s not the full picture. Despite roadblocks, donations are being actively transferred to support relief efforts. Every day, essential supplies such as food, clean water, medical aid, and psychosocial support are reaching Gaza to sustain lives. The people of Gaza need us now more than ever. We must keep pushing forward. Your support is making an impact, let’s keep the momentum going. Learn more at idrf.ca/palestineappeal.