help a child
unleash their
full potential

Still have questions? We can help!

• How much does it cost to sponsor a child with Plan International Canada?

  Child Sponsorship costs from $42 per month, which works out to be just over $10 per week.

• How does Child Sponsorship work?

  Child Sponsorship provides you with a special opportunity to have a unique one-to-one connection with a child and their family in one of the developing countries where Plan International works. As part of your sponsorship you can exchange letters and photos, and we can even arrange for you to visit your sponsored child. Each year you’ll receive updates on the progress of your sponsored child and their community, so you can see how your sponsored child is growing and learning. Child Sponsorship programming allows us to combine sponsor contributions to increase impact and establish a trusted presence within communities. This even helps secure further grant funding from institutional and government donors to grow community-based development projects, like building schools or water taps, which not only benefit sponsored children, but many others in their community too.

• Do sponsorship contributions go directly to one child?

  No. When you sponsor a child, your contributions not only benefit the child you are sponsoring, they benefit the whole community! Your contributions collectively support a wide-range of programs in your sponsored child's community. With more than 80 years of experience, we know that the best way to help each and every child unleash their potential is to engage families and entire communities in the change, so they can carry on – and further – the positive impact or many years to come.

• How much of my money will reach and contribute to projects that benefit my sponsored child’s community?

  In over 80 years, Plan International has built a reputation as one of the world's most effective and responsible development agencies.

  Your gifts will go far: In 2018, 81% of every dollar raised by Plan International Canada went to support programs benefitting children and families in some of the most remote communities around the world. That means that 81 cents of every dollar directly reach programs that improve children’s communities and lives, and we continue to maintain these strong efficiencies, ensuring we can help as many children in need as possible. Trust and transparency are important to us and we invite you to look through our annual review and financial statements.

• I have more questions. Who can I speak with?

  Our Donor Care team is happy to answer any questions you have about our work. You can call them a 1-800-387-1418 or email info@plancanada.ca. You can also request an information package to learn more about Child Sponsorship

• How does Plan handle tax receipts?

  Tax receipts are issued in February for donations of $25 and above for the previous calendar year. If we have your email address, you will get your tax receipt through email. If we do not have your email address, and you want to receive your tax receipt by email, click here to update your MyPlan account now or call us at 1 800 387-1418.

• Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

  It's natural to want to send something extra to your sponsored child, but we ask that you limit your gifts to educational items that can fit into a 9” x 12” envelope. To help keep our mailing costs low, your package should not weigh more than 150 grams or be thicker than 5 centimetres. A deck of cards is an example of an item that would weigh 150 grams. Please do not send money. If your package is bigger or heavier than what is allowed, we will be unable to deliver the package to your sponsored child.

  Gifts you might consider sending are items that belong to the following groups:

  • Signals of friendship, e.g., photos, postcards, stickers, balloons
  • Writing and drawing, e.g., pens, paper, pencil case, crayons
  • Learning and exploring, e.g., maps, booklets, small puzzles, colouring books
  • Sporting and outdoor activities, playing with friends, e.g., inflatable beach balls, skipping rope

  Remember to keep your package light to help ensure our mailing costs are kept low!

  Other gifts you might consider sending are photos of your family, as children love to receive these items. If you would like to make additional contributions to our work, we have a wide variety of child-centred projects and initiatives you can help fund.

• How do I change my personal information?

  Contact us at 1-800-387-1418 or update your information online through MyPlan.

• How do I change my payment option?

  Please call us at 1-800-387-1418 to update your financial information. One of our Donor Support representatives will be happy to assist you.

• Do sponsorship contributions go directly to one child?

  No. Sponsorship contributions are pooled centrally, and used to fund programs benefiting sponsored children, their families and communities. More than 70 years of experience have taught us that helping families and communities become self-sufficient is the best way to secure the child’s future.

• If I sponsor a child, how long a commitment do I need to make?

  The length of your commitment is up to you. Many sponsors have been with us for many years, which allows us to make long-term commitments to our partner communities.

  If you choose to end your sponsorship for any reason, please call us so we can introduce your sponsored child to a new sponsor.

• How long do children remain sponsored through Plan?

  At the age of 18, all sponsored children officially “graduate” from the program, although they will continue to benefit from our involvement in their community. If a sponsored child’s family moves out of the area where Plan works, or if the community decides that it has become self-sufficient and no longer in need of Plan assistance, the sponsorship will come to an end.

  When that happens, you’ll receive a profile and photograph of a new child to sponsor. If you don’t want to make the transition to a new child, or want to shift to another way to give to Plan’s work, contact us and let us know your wishes.