We are experts in children’s rights and promoting equality for girls. We have 80 years’ experience in protecting children from abuse and providing girls and boys with equal access to food, water, healthcare and education. Over 32 million children benefited from these projects last year alone.

How are my donations spent?

From protecting girls from violence, to assisting children and their communities to beat poverty, you’ll make a lasting difference. At least 80% of our income is spent on our work to give every child every chance. The rest helps us raise vital funds for the future. Find out more about how your money is spent here.

How will I see the difference?

Through regular SMS updates to your mobile phone, you’ll receive photos and stories from inspiring children across the world as together we help transform their lives. You’ll receive the latest information from life-changing projects on the ground. You’ll hear news from health workers, teachers and the children themselves; all through their eyes straight to your phone. Each update will show you the situation as it is, helping you to see for yourself how you’re changing children’s realities day by day.

What will I receive?

Soon after you’ve signed up you’ll receive a call from us to confirm all your details and check you have all the information you’d like. You’ll also receive written confirmation of your direct debit by post. As a regular supporter, we’ll continue to keep you updated with news from children you’re helping through regular SMS updates to your mobile phone.

How often will I hear from Plan International?

We’ll show you the reality as it is on the ground. So when there’s news from the front line that we think you’ll want to know, we’ll send you an update to your mobile phone. This is likely to be around once a month and we promise not to bombard you! You can opt out of receiving messages at any time, but please remember this means you’ll no longer receive any updates at all about the children you’re helping.

Can I receive updates by email or post instead of SMS?

At the moment, we’ll contact you almost exclusively via your mobile phone. We pride ourselves on our commitment to spend your donations as efficiently as possible and by contacting you by SMS we’re able to keep admin costs to a minimum. This helps ensure even more of your donation goes directly to help the children who need it most. In the meantime, if you’d like more information, our website is packed with stories from some of the inspiring children you’re helping.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with our Supporter Relations team on the below details. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and they’ll be happy to help.

- 0300 777 9779

- [email protected]

How will my donations be collected?

Your donations will be collected from the bank account details you provided by direct debit on the third to last working day of each month. It may take up to 21 days for your direct debit to be initially set up, but we will confirm the collection date in a direct debit confirmation letter to you within 10 days of you signing up. The transaction will appear on your bank statement as PLAN INTERNATIONAL.

What happens if I decide to cancel my donation?

Regular support from kind donors like you is so important to enable the long term projects that truly do change children’s realities. Many of our kind supporters continue to donate for several years and we hope that you will decide to do the same, but you can of course choose to cancel at any time.

Should you have any concerns at all regarding your regular donation, please do get in touch with our Supporter Relations team on 0300 777 9779 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or email [email protected]. We very much welcome your feedback and will be happy to help in any way we can. If you decide to cancel your regular gift, we’ll arrange the cancellation of your direct debit and send a confirmation letter by post.

Please note that opting out of receiving further SMS updates via your phone will not cancel your direct debit donation. It is not possible for us to cancel your donations by sending us an SMS at this time, so please do get in touch with us directly if you have decided to cancel your support.

Can I change my contact details?

Yes of course. If you’d like to change your details at any time, simply let our friendly team know. You can get in touch between 9am and 5pm on 0300 777 9779 or email [email protected]. We’ll come back to you to confirm once your details have been updated.

What makes Plan International different to other development charities?

Our approach is what sets us apart from other organisations. Here's why:

1. Children are at the heart of everything we do. To ensure children access their rights we make sure their voices are heard so that the issues most important to them are addressed. Children are actively involved in the decision making process – from identifying the problems, to implementing the solutions for the long term. We are also dedicated to spending on average 10-12 years working with a community, and we see children grow up with the confidence, skills and knowledge to support themselves long after Plan International has left.

2. We're global leaders in promoting girls rights and equality for girls. We know that its girls that are most vulnerable to poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. That's why to truly tackle in equality, we recognise that we must work with both boys, girls, women and men to address the unique challenges that girls face, so that their whole communities benefit.

Why do you focus on equality for girls?

We know girls face unique challenges. They are the often the most vulnerable, excluded and discriminated against children in the world. It’s also the poorest girls who are most at risk of harmful practises such as child marriage, which prevents them from receiving an education.

So to truly tackle inequality we must ensure we’re focused on protecting girls and promoting their rights through all we do.

From ensuring schools are a safe place for girls to learn free from harassment, to raising awareness within communities of the real dangers of child marriage and helping them to see the value of girls; we work with girls and their communities to eliminate all the barriers that stand in their way so they can go on to reach their potential.

What about boys?

We recognise the potential of every single child, working to advance the rights of boys and girls all over the world. While we ensure our projects address the unique challenges that girls face, we never exclude boys. In fact, we know that boys are a key part of the solution to help promote equality for girls too; after all, they play an important role in building secure communities that value girls for the future. We strive to ensure boys not only receive the support they need, but that they’re also raised to understand the value of girls, to see that they’re equal to boys and should be free to achieve their potential.

Why do you have fundraisers on the street?

Street fundraising is one of the most effective methods of bringing in new long-term supporters of Plan International’s work. Without the supporters who sign up in this way, we would not be able to plan or carry out the long-term work that saves and improves millions of children’s realities across the globe each year.

Our fundraisers are passionate about their work and our organisation. We pride ourselves on teaming up with some of the most committed and diligent people, who tough it out through rainy days and cold evenings to help us make a difference in the world.

How do you monitor your fundraisers’ behaviour?

We hugely value our supporters and are committed to ensuring that our fundraisers treat all our supporters sensitively and respectfully, expecting the highest standards at all times.

After undergoing thorough training from Plan International, they continue to receive regular refresher training and coaching to support them in their work. We monitor our fundraisers to ensure they adhere to all the regulations and codes of practice set out by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) and the Fundraising Regulator. This is done through supporter feedback, listening to the calls our representatives make to supporters and a mystery shopping programme to check fundraiser performance.

How do I know if a fundraiser is genuine?

We have fundraisers working for us in various parts of the country, so if you come into contact with someone fundraising for the Plan International UK, it is likely that they are genuine. Our legitimate street fundraisers will be:

wearing a blue Plan International UK branded t-shirt and jacket
ensuring their Plan International ID badge is showing at all times
have a team leader also wearing branded clothing within close proximity
working in Wales and the South West of England

If you ever are unsure whether a fundraiser is genuine please contact us straight away on: 0300 777 9779 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or [email protected]

How do I make a complaint?

We really appreciate feedback from our supporters, and we take complaints very seriously. Our Supporter Relations team will investigate any complaints that they receive promptly, ensure that appropriate action is taken and respond to you with an outcome. We also love to share the positive feedback we receive about our fundraisers! To speak to us, please:

- call 0300 777 9779 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)

- email [email protected]

I have more questions, how do I get in touch?

Our Supporter Relations team are happy to answer any questions you have about sponsorship and our work. You can:

- call 0300 777 9779 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

- email [email protected]