Children First!

1. What is Children First!?
2. Where does my money go?
3. How does Plan decide which priority projects to undertake?
4. As a Children First! supporter, what do I receive?
5. Why not give goods instead of cash donations?
6. Can I visit the projects?
7. What are my payment options?

Questions and Answers in Full...

1. What is Children First!?

   Children First! is Plan’s regular giving program which gives our supporters another option for supporting Plan, other than through child sponsorship. Children First! Members support specific long-term priority projects not funded by child sponsorship. Children First! projects improve children’s education, health and access to rights. These projects focus particularly on children in the most difficult circumstances, and your regular donation means we can ensure the life of these vital projects, which usually take three or more years to complete.
   
    

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2. Where does my money go?

   As a Children First! supporter you are contributing to a range of priority projects to improve health, education and child rights in Africa and Asia.  These projects are facilitated by Plan program managers in Australia and are often co-funded by grants from AusAID, the Australian Government's agency for international development.
   
   Our priority projects focus on children who are living in the most difficult of circumstances in Plan-assisted developing communities. They can take three or more years to complete, so knowing we have regular support means we can make commitments to our local country partners.
   

   We will allocate your donation to the projects with the highest priority. When a particular project is fully funded, resources are then directed to another project within the same program area (health, education, or child rights). If all projects within the program original area are fully funded, funds will then go to other areas.

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3. How does Plan decide which priority projects to undertake?

   Plan priority projects are developed by program staff from Australia and our in-country partners after consultation with community members including women, men and children. Together with Plan staff, community members set their development priorities.

   Initial studies and assessments are undertaken to ensure the projects are sustainable and reach their development goals. Proposals are then developed, including project goals, objectives, monitoring, evaluation, budgets and timeframes. Once funding sources are agreed, Plan staff, partners and communities then begin to implement the project.

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4. As a Children First! supporter, what do I receive?

   Children First! members receive regular information from Plan including:
   

   • A welcome kit that details what the regular donation will help achieve.
     
     
   • Children First! updates twice yearly with details of our priority projects and their impact.
     
     
   • An annual tax receipt which allows you to claim the full benefit of your tax deduction with all Children First! contributions and any additional donations.
     
     
   • Global Child our bi-annual magazine packed with interesting stories and articles about Plan’s work in Australia and around the world. 
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5. Why not give goods instead of cash donations?

   We prefer you to send us cash donations as this can be more readily used than items that must be shipped overseas or may not be appropriate for the proposed country.

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6. Can I visit the projects?

   Plan can facilitate visits but we require at least 8 weeks notice prior to the planned departure to arrange all of the details of the visit.

   A standard police check is required for all visitors aged 18 years and over.
   

   For more information, contact our Supporter Service team on 13 PLAN (13 7526) or send us a message.
   

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7. What are my payment options?

   See our payment information faq section for answers to common questions.

   
   

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