In its aim to empower the disadvantaged people of the world through emergency relief and participatory development programs, IDRF has had a long-standing partnership with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In its far-reaching history of providing overseas assistance, IDRF has been able to approach CIDA through several CIDA funding mechanisms, depending on the immediate crisis situation, the sector of work planned for the project, or the nature of the project itself. IDRF has implemented long term development projects in certain countries, like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh where every dollar contributed for that project, CIDA doubled. For certain, disasters like the 2005 Pakistan earthquake or Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar the Canadian government matched dollar for dollar the generous contributions received from IDRF donors. At other times CIDA has provided grants, to which IDRF has added its own funds even though it was not a requirement.

The fact that at any given time IDRF may be supported through multiple channels demonstrates the high degree of confidence that CIDA has in IDRF's ability to deliver effective, accountable and reliable projects in different parts of the world.