Founded in 1968, Plan Canada is the Canadian branch and fundraising arm of Plan International. Plan International works to advance the rights of children and equality for girls around the world. Plan was created during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. During World War II it was known as Foster Parents Plan to help displaced children all over Europe. As Europe recovered, Plan pivoted to international development.

Plan International today is a partnership of 20 national Plan organizations that raise money to work in 53 developing countries. Plan Canada is the second-largest partner and raises 18% of Plan International’s global revenues (Plan Germany is the largest raising 22%). Plan Canada works to help poor children around the world in seven core areas: education, healthcare, water and sanitation, child protection, child participation, economic empowerment, and disaster responses. In F2019, Plan Canada supported 1,984 projects in more than 75 countries. Plan International supports 3,775,590 children across all programs.

Maternal and child health represented 37% of international program spending in F2019. Plan Canada distributed 20,000 delivery kits and provided health support and education to 855,146 children. Also, 2,300 health committee members were trained on maternal and reproductive health.

Emergencies and food assistance represented 17% of international program spending in F2019. In March 2019, Cyclone Idai hit Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. In response, Plan Canada provided 34,887 people with tents, blankets, and solar lamps. The charity also distributed water purification tablets, hygiene kits and home repair materials to 19,124 residents. Further, about 6,000 girls were provided with menstrual hygiene kits.

Sexual and reproductive health represented 13% of international program spending in F2019. The charity reports that 111,000 girls attending school have received comprehensive sexual health education. Plan Canada has also empowered 1,700 girls through sanitary pad enterprises. The charity provides training and materials to girls to create effective, low-cost sanitary pads. In turn, participants make a profit and are able to stay in school.   

Education represented 13% of international program spending in F2019. The charity focuses its efforts on supporting children who are out of school, marginalized and those living in crises due to emergencies. In F2019, Plan Canada provided 239,530 children with access to education.

Child protection represented 9% of international program spending in F2019. Plan Canada protects children by advocating for stronger laws and providing children with essential life skills. In F2019, the charity educated 15,580 children on their right to protection. Also, Plan Canada reports having protected 153,997 from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

The remaining 11% of international program spending went to economic security (4%), water & sanitation (3%), and other (4%). 

In F2019, Plan Canada spent $19.1m (including amortization) on Canadian program spending. The charity reports that spending included costs of personnel, travel and other expenses directly related to supporting international programs. Spending also included costs incurred in Canada toward the goal of enhancing youth and public engagement in international development.

Plan Canada is a Major 100 charity, meaning that it is one of Canada’s 100 largest charities in terms of donations. In F2019, Plan Canada received $106.2m in donations in F2019, up from $104.9m in F2018. 69% of donations were for child sponsorships and 31% were general contributions. Plan Canada received $61.8m in international donations and $48.9m in donations from the Canadian government. In F2019, the charity received $22.9m in donated goods, such as food, bed nets, and medicine.

Administrative costs are 8% of revenues and fundraising costs are 26% of donations. For every dollar donated, 66 cents go the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. The foundation holds $61.5m in funding reserves, of which $3m is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, Plan Canada can cover 3.7 months of annual program costs.

In F2019, Plan Canada provided $144.5m to Plan International. 

In F2018, Plan Canada paid external fundraisers $13.7m to raise $38.8m. In other words, it costs Plan Canada $0.35 to raise $1 through external fundraisers.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Plan Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 19, 2020 by Tenzin Shomar.