Our History

"This is José. I am his father. When Santander falls I shall be shot. Whoever finds my son, I beg of him to take care of him for my sake."

1937 - Plan was founded as "Foster Parents Plan for Children in Spain" to help children whose lives were disrupted by the Spanish Civil War.

1940s - With the outbreak of the Second World War, Plan extended its work to include displaced children within war-torn Europe. 

1950s - With the need in Europe reduced, Plan looked further afield for children who would benefit from its work. We gradually began working with deprived children throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. 

1970s - In 1971 Foster Parents Plan of Australia (as it was then known) opened its doors. Starting with a small but very motivated staff of five, Plan has grown to be one of the largest child sponsorship organisations in Australia. 

1990s - Foster Parents Plan of Australia was renamed Plan International to reflect its aim of bringing constructive lasting change to the lives of children in need all over the world, whatever their circumstances. 

Today Plan is one of the world's largest aid and development organisations working in over 60 countries and with over 1.3 million sponsored children.

Plan was appointed Goodwill Partner of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games - the first ever Goodwill Partner appointed in the history of the Games.