Ensuring accountability, ethical stewardship and lasting impact
At Plan International Canada, we’re committed to being open about how we work and how we use the donations we receive.
As part of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, we hold ourselves to high standards because we know our donors’ trust matters.
Our operations are guided by rigorous accountability frameworks, including Canada Revenue Agency requirements, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and third-party accreditation through respected organizations such as Imagine Canada. These external validations confirm our adherence to industry-leading standards for transparency, governance and financial management.
Our policies guide everything from how our Board of Directors operates to how we handle donations and keep children safe, with each policy designed to maximize impact while meeting legal and ethical obligations.
By following these standards, outlined below, we built trust with supporters while advancing our mission to create a better world for children, ensuring every dollar creates meaningful change.
How we use your donations
83 cents of every dollar went toward programming for children and their communities worldwide.
17 cents of every dollar went toward fundraising and operations to ensure that our programs are run efficiently and effectively.
Ethics & governance
We believe in being accountable to everyone we serve, especially the communities we work with.
Our policies guide how we operate responsibly, build trust and fulfill our mission to advance children’s rights and equality for girls worldwide. We operate with maximum efficiency and effectiveness to ensure every dollar donated delivers the greatest possible impact.
The role of Plan International Canada’s volunteer Board of Directors is to protect the interests of all stakeholders and ensure that expected standards of good governance, accountability and transparency are met.
Policies
Anti-fraud, anti-bribery and corruption policy
We enforce a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption, implementing stringent measures to prevent, detect and address unethical activities that would diminish the value and impact of donor contributions.
Board diversity & inclusion policy
Our Board brings together people with different backgrounds and perspectives. This diversity informs our decisions and strategies, ensuring stronger decision making by incorporating multiple viewpoints and driving innovation.
Code of conduct
This sets clear expectations for everyone associated with Plan International Canada. We value respect, honesty and taking responsibility for our actions in all of our interactions.
Complaints policy
Feedback from our supporters matters. We have a straightforward process for addressing concerns to ensure they are handled quickly, fairly and respectfully, while also using this valuable input to continuously refine and enhance our practices, programs and donor experience.
Discrimination & harassment prevention policy
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. We’re committed to creating a safe environment where discrimination and harassment are not tolerated.
Donor rights policy
We honour the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Donor Bill of Rights. This means our donors will always be informed, respected and confident that their contributions are used as intended. Our Imagine Canada accreditation reflects our commitment to ethical fundraising and accountability.
Equality & inclusion policy
We believe in equal opportunities for everyone. That commitment is central to everything we do.
Fund investment policy
We manage resources carefully, making investment choices that align with our values while maximizing the efficiency, effectiveness and long-term impact of our donations.
Modern Slavery Act statement
We manage resources carefully, making investment choices that align with our values while maximizing the efficiency, effectiveness and long-term impact of our donations.
Privacy policy
Our donors’ personal information is safe with us. We follow strict legal standards to protect their confidentiality and security.
Procurement policy
When we purchase goods or services, we do so openly and carefully, ensuring fairness and maximizing the impact of every donated dollar.
Safeguarding policy
Protecting children and program participants is our highest priority. We take extensive measures to ensure their safety and well-being in all of our work.
Fundraising & donor transparency
We partner with professional fundraisers to help grow our supporter base in a cost-effective way. This is done door to door, through phone calls and through online advertising that invites Canadians to join our cause and deliver change for children around the world. Our volunteer board and management team ensure that our fundraising costs stay within the guidelines recommended by the Canada Revenue Agency and align with Imagine Canada’s high standards.
» Learn more about our door-to-door fundraisingReports: Measuring our impact & accountability
We believe in showing donors exactly how their support helps change lives. Our impact reports showcase the genuine difference we’re making. Our Annual Report and research publications provide a comprehensive look into our programs and policies and how we manage donations.
Insights & research
Our research and publications – created with global experts and partners – help us design programs that work. They also provide insights that we use in our evidence-based advocacy efforts. By gathering and sharing knowledge, we break down barriers and create better opportunities for children, especially girls.
Impact reports
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re creating real change with communities that face extreme poverty and multiple challenges. Through our programs, we help children grow up healthy, ensure that girls can safely attend school and support families in meeting their needs, all while continuously improving our effectiveness to deliver maximum impact from every donation.
Independent auditing & peer reviews
Our financial practices and program effectiveness undergo rigorous scrutiny through multiple independent assessments. These include:
» Imagine Canada
Plan International Canada has earned accreditation through Imagine Canada’s rigorous Standards Program, signifying our exceptional commitment to financial accountability, transparency and ethical governance. This prestigious designation assures donors that we meet the highest standards of operational excellence in the charitable sector.
» PwC
Our financial statements are independently audited by PwC each year.
Our major donors, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Government of Canada, also do comprehensive audits. And we participate in Plan International’s internal global audit, ensuring alignment with best practices and standards.
Advocacy & partnerships
We team up with influential organizations and decision makers, including the Canadian government, UN agencies and global coalitions, to create policy changes that advance children’s rights and girls’ equality.
With over 85 years as one of the world’s leading child-rights organizations, we work within strong networks to amplify youth voices and influence policies that improve children’s lives, especially for girls.
Our Celebrated Ambassadors are influential individuals who volunteer their platforms to advocate for children’s safety, rights and opportunities around the world.
Working together for greater impact
Child and youth rights
» Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC)
» Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG)
Environmental resilience
» Canadian Coalition on Climate Change & Development (C4D)
» The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance
Health
» Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH)
» Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH)
Humanitarian assistance and emergency response
» Humanitarian Response Network of Canada
Policy and community partnerships
» Women’s Rights Advocacy
» Women’s Rights Policy Group
» McGill University, Participatory Cultures Lab
» Hospital for Sick Children Center for Global Child Health
Adherence to industry standards
To earn our supporters’ trust, we work with organizations that set high standards for ethical practices in the social-impact sector. Following these guidelines demonstrates our commitment to transparency, responsible operations and continuous improvement. This builds our credibility and gives donors confidence that their support is making a real difference.
» Association of Fundraising Professionals
Plan International Canada supports the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Donor Bill of Rights.
» ICVA
As a member of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), we collaborate with leading humanitarian organizations worldwide to strengthen advocacy efforts and improve humanitarian action globally.
» ICHS Alliance
Plan International’s membership in the ICHS Alliance demonstrates our commitment to excellence in humanitarian standards and responsible management of resources and personnel in aid delivery.
» INGO Accountability Charter
Plan International upholds the principles of transparency, good governance and accountability as a committed member of the International NGO Accountability Charter, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources in all of our operations.
» Sphere Project
Plan International Canada’s disaster-response initiatives adhere to the internationally recognized Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards, ensuring dignified, high-quality assistance to those affected by crises.
Building trust through transparency & ethical stewardship
At Plan International Canada, trust and accountability guide everything we do. We bring dedication, expertise and integrity to every aspect of our work as we strive for a more just, peaceful and equal world for every child, maximizing efficiency to ensure each dollar creates the greatest possible impact.
Your support drives real change.
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