Plan was founded in 1937 by British journalist John Langdon-Davies and refugee worker Eric Muggeridge. Originally named ''Foster Parents Plan for Children in Spain'', the aim was to provide food, accommodation and education to children whose lives had been disrupted by the Spanish Civil War.

During the Second World War, we expanded to work with displaced children throughout war-torn Europe.

In the 1950s, as Europe recovered, it became increasingly evident that children in countries further afield were also in need of critical help. We gradually began working with deprived children throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our organization was renamed Plan International to reflect our aim of bringing lasting improvement to the lives of children in need wherever they live, whatever their circumstances.

Today, Plan works in 49 developing countries and is one of the world''s largest development organizations. Child sponsorship is the foundation of our organization. We have about one million sponsors in 17 donor countries helping over one million children all over the world, together with their families and communities.

Our vision
Our vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people''s rights and dignity.

Our mission:
Plan USA strives to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries by:
Enabling deprived children, their families and their communities to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies;
Fostering relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different cultures and countries; and
Being an advocate for the rights and interests of the world’s children.