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

Financial accountability chart

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83 cents of every dollar went toward programming for children and their communities worldwide.

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17 cents of every dollar went toward fundraising and operations to ensure that our programs are run efficiently and effectively.


» Learn more about our financial accountability

» Review our 2024 audited financial statements

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.

Rona Ambrosse
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Chair

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.

» Meet our Board of Directors

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.

» Read our anti-fraud, anti-bribery and corruption policy

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.

» Read our board diversity & inclusion policy

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.

» Read our code of conduct

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.

» Read our complaints policy

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.

» Read our discrimination & harassment prevention policy

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.

» Read our donor rights policy

Equality & inclusion policy

We believe in equal opportunities for everyone. That commitment is central to everything we do.

» Read our equality & inclusion policy

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.

» Read our fund investment policy

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.

» Read our Modern Slavery Act statement

Privacy policy

Our donors’ personal information is safe with us. We follow strict legal standards to protect their confidentiality and security.

» Read our privacy policy

Procurement policy

When we purchase goods or services, we do so openly and carefully, ensuring fairness and maximizing the impact of every donated dollar.

» Read our procurement policy

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.

» Read our safeguarding policy


Plan Canada fundraisers

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 fundraising

Reports: 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

Reports cover

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.

» Explore our publications

Impact reports

Reports cover

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.

» Read our impact reports


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.

School girls

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.

School children in a classroom
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» Association of Fundraising Professionals

Plan International Canada supports the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Donor Bill of Rights.

ICVA
» 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.

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» 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.

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» 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.

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» 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.

Learn more about our financial stewardship 

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