About Plan
Plan funded school in province of Namentenga, Burkina Faso
Plan is a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries.
Founded in 1937 as Foster Parents Plan, we are one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, we have only one agenda: to improve the lives of children.
Through programs in 66 countries, we give children, families and communities the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable solutions with measurable results for improving their own lives.
Each year, our work impacts the lives of more than 3.5 million families and their children in over 25,000 communities. Join us and plan to change the world.
Our vision
Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity.
Our mission
Plan aims to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of children, families and communities in developing countries. We do this through a process of collaboration that unites people across cultures, adding meaning and value to their lives by:
- Enabling children, their families and communities to meet their basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies
- Building relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different cultures and countries
- Advocating and promoting the rights and interests of the world's children, with a special focus on Girls’ Rights to overcome issues of gender discrimination.
Plan's work
We are global in reach but grassroots in our approach. Of our 8,000 staff worldwide nearly 90 per cent are in the field, working hand-in-hand with local people to improve living conditions in over 25,000 of the world’s most marginalized communities.
Our staff are highly-skilled professionals and most were born, or have deep roots, in the areas we serve, allowing us to customize plans with each community so that development can take root and succeed over the long run.
Along with over 60,000 well-trained volunteers, Plan works with communities to build schools, educate teachers, dig wells, open health clinics, provide vocational training, innovate to improve crop yields, give people access to loans to start small businesses, and much more. We do whatever is needed to create an environment in which children, families and communities can thrive.
On average, Plan works with communities for 10 to 12 years before we phase out successfully. During that time we help community members build the local capacity and skills needed to grow their community on their own for generations to come.