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Our history

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How our past shapes our purpose

Plan International’s history reflects decades of learning, adaptation and partnership with communities around the world. While our work has evolved over time, our focus has remained the same: advancing children’s rights and creating opportunities for girls to thrive.

Learn how we work

For more than eight decades, Plan has adapted to a changing world while staying focused on what matters most: children, communities and opportunity.

A history of learning and change

Our beginnings

Plan was founded in 1937 in response to the humanitarian crisis following the Spanish Civil War, with a focus on supporting children affected by conflict. From the beginning, the organization recognized that helping children recover and thrive required long-term commitment, care and opportunity, not short-term solutions.

The belief that children deserve protection and opportunity, continues to guide Plan’s work today.

Our beginnings
Early beginnings: Plan’s work began with children affected by conflict, grounded in the belief that long-term care and opportunity matter.

Expanding opportunity

In the decades that followed, Plan expanded its work to support children and families facing poverty, inequality and crisis around the world. Programs grew to address education, health and protection, shaped by close collaboration with communities and local partners.

As the organization’s work expanded globally, it became known as Plan International, reflecting a broader mission and reach.

Centering girls’ rights

 Over time, Plan deepened its understanding of inequality and the ways it affects girls differently. This led to a stronger focus on girls’ education, protection and leadership, recognizing that advancing girls’ rights is essential to creating lasting change for families and communities.

Plan’s focus on girls lead to the globally known campaign named Because I am a GIrl. This campaign reached millions of girls through direct programming and changing of laws to end practices like child marriage.

Learn about Because I am a Girl

How our past shapes our purpose

Plan International’s history reflects decades of learning, adaptation and partnership with communities around the world. While our work has evolved over time, our focus has remained the same: advancing children’s rights and creating opportunities for girls to thrive.

When girls are given the chance to lead, entire communities move forward.

Evolving toward systems change

Today, Plan works to address the root causes of inequality by combining community-based programs with advocacy, youth leadership and evidence-informed approaches. Young people, especially girls, are partners in shaping solutions, not just recipients of support.

From programs to possibility
Plan was founded in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War to protect children affected by conflict, grounded in the belief that every child deserves safety, care and opportunity through long-term commitment. | © Plan International
Plan’s early days in New York
Cartons of packages being loaded onto a Foster Parents Plan truck for shipping. | ©Plan International
A telegram from Eric Muggeridge
“Thousands still remain scattered in Spain. Returning for more immediately. Fear wholesale deaths from cold and starvation unless brought into France” | ©Plan International
Eric Muggeridge
Eric Muggeridge leads displaced children to safety during World War II. His determination to protect children helped shape Plan International’s mission. | ©Plan International

Explore our history through stories

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Our vision

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Our vision is grounded in action. Each year, our work helps millions of children, especially girls, learn, lead and decide their futures.

Creating a better future

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A world where every child can thrive

We work with children, especially girls, to create a more just and equal world. We believe in the potential of every child, but know that poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination too often stand in the way.

By addressing the root causes of inequality, we help ensure children can grow up safe, educated and empowered to shape their own futures.

Until we are all equal.

Why equality matters

Children’s rights and gender equality are fundamental to human rights. When children are denied safety, education or opportunity, their paths forward are limited before they begin.

Girls are often the most affected. Harmful norms, unequal access to resources and violence can prevent girls from learning, leading and making decisions about their lives.

Achieving equality means removing these barriers so every child has a fair chance to succeed.

Why girls are central to our vision

When girls have the support they need to learn and lead, the impact reaches far beyond the individual. Educated girls are more likely to stay healthy, earn an income and support their families and communities.

Investing in girls strengthens entire systems and helps break cycles of poverty and inequality for future generations. That is why girls are at the center of our vision for lasting change.

Turning vision into impact

Our vision guides how we work every day. From early childhood through adulthood, we partner with children, families and communities to respond to crises, strengthen systems and drive changes in policy and practice at local, national and global levels.

Progress takes time. But with the support of partners and communities, we continue working toward a future where equality is not the exception, but the expectation.

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Who we are

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Who we are

For more than 85 years and in more than 80 countries, Plan has partnered with communities to create lasting change.

About Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization advancing children’s rights and equality for girls.

Founded in 1937, Plan works in more than 80 countries to remove barriers so girls can learn, lead, decide and thrive while shaping their own futures.

Plan International USA is the U.S. member of the global organization, mobilizing resources, partnerships and advocacy to support this work worldwide.

Who We Are

Our vision

Plan International

We envision a just world where every child can realize their rights. When girls are educated, safe and empowered to lead, progress extends beyond individuals to families and communities.

Read our vision

Our history

Since 1937

Founded in 1937 in response to conflict in Spain, Plan began by supporting children affected by crisis. Over time, our work expanded to address education, health, protection and long-term systems change.

While the world has changed, our commitment to advancing children’s rights and building a more equal world has remained constant.

Explore our history
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Leadership

Governance

Plan International USA is governed by a Board of Directors and led by an executive team responsible for strategy and operations.

Youth voices are integrated through formal leadership bodies that help shape priorities and strengthen accountability.

Meet our leadership

Partnerships

Collaboration

We collaborate with corporations, foundations, governments and youth-led organizations to expand impact at scale.

Partnerships combine funding, expertise and advocacy to address barriers facing children and girls worldwide.

See our partnerships
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Commitments & policies

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Contact us

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Get in touch

MyPlan

Log in to MyPlan to request changes or submit questions about your account or sponsorships.

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Donor Loyalty

Contact a Plan Donor Loyalty Representative by calling 800-556-7918.

We are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET.

Mailing address

Send contributions and correspondence to:
Plan International USA
P.O. Box 9747
Providence, RI 02940-9420

Office locations

Providence, RI
Plan International USA
275 Promenade Street Suite 225
Providence, RI 02908

Washington, DC
New location coming shortly!

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For any other questions, you can contact us by submitting the form below.

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Youth Leadership Academy projects

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Leadership projects

Your leadership project is a youth‑driven, locally focused initiative designed to address an issue you’re passionate about. Through the Youth Leadership Academy, you’ll gain the skills to create a solution‑oriented project that advances gender equity and drives meaningful change in your community. The tools you develop will support you not only in this project, but throughout your future work as a changemaker, advocate and young professional.

Many Youth Leadership Academy fellows begin with small, local projects — and continue expanding their impact as active alumni.

Global Girls Initiative

Aanya, a 2021 YLA participant and former Youth Advisory Board member, discovered the widespread impact of period poverty both abroad and in her own U.S. community, which inspired her to take action. Through large‑scale product drives and awareness efforts, she collected more than 50,000 period products and distributed them to 37 low‑income schools.

After the Youth Leadership Academy, she expanded this work by founding the Global Girls Initiative, a nonprofit that continues to provide menstrual health support to underserved communities.

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Join the Youth Leadership Academy

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YLA program details

Dates of next program

The Youth Leadership Academy is a year-long leadership and advocacy program that begins each summer. Applications open annually. Please check back in early 2027 for updates on applying to join the next cohort of fellows.

Eligibility

To participate in the YLA, you must be between the ages of 13 and 17 and based in the U.S. We value diversity and inclusion and believe it makes our organization stronger. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds and abilities to apply and contribute their voice and experience.

What will I learn?

The YLA is designed to equip you with tools to become an effective changemaker in your community. You will build and strengthen skills in advocacy, such as project development, relationship-building, public speaking and more.

We will guide you through the process of creating your own solution-based leadership project oriented around gender equity to advance change in your local community over the next year. These are fundamental tools that you can carry with you throughout your future change-making, advocacy and professional careers!

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about the Youth Leadership Academy.

No! As long as you have an interest in making change in your community and are passionate about social justice, you are welcome to apply. Through participating in the YLA, you will develop leadership and advocacy skills.

We will evaluate your application on the overall fit and commitment to program activities, including the residential intensive in Washington, D.C., monthly workshops and virtual check-ins regarding your leadership project.

Youth-led design is essential to the YLA. Plan’s Youth Advisory Board members lead mentorship and monthly webinars for YLA fellows. They share their lived experiences advocating for gender equity. Additionally, prominent youth advocates and Youth Advisory Board members present at the residential intensive in Washington, D.C.

During the five-day residential academy, you will attend workshops and interactive sessions to learn about global gender equity issues from experts and activists. You will also attend sessions to develop your Leadership Project. By the end of the week, you will have developed your Leadership Project ideas, delivering project pitches on the last day.

You will also get to spend a day sightseeing and participating in team-building activities with other YLA fellows while in the city!

The leadership project is a youth-led locally focused project that tackles an issue that you care about. Past YLA fellows have implemented projects related to period poverty, refugee rights and minority students in politics.

Following the week-long intensive in Washington, D.C., you will meet throughout the year with an assigned mentor, attend skill-building webinars, access seed funding to launch your project and have opportunities to connect and engage with Plan’s global youth network and partners.

Learn more

There is a program fee of $1,000, which funds in-person and virtual program costs for the duration of the year. This includes housing, food, supplies and transportation during the residential intensive but excludes transportation to and from Washington, D.C.

Need-based financial aid is available. Anyone can apply for partial or full financial aid in the YLA application. Applying for financial aid will not impact acceptance decisions upon application review.

Interested in joining?

Please check back for next recruitment seasons or email [email protected] for more information.

Email us
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Youth Leadership Academy

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What is the YLA?

The Plan International Youth Leadership Academy is a year-long social impact fellowship by youth, for youth, hosted by Plan USA’s Youth Advisory Board. Throughout the course of the year, you will ideate, design and implement your own local advocacy project related to gender equity. The YLA gives you the tools you need to create the change you want. We are investing in the next generation of young changemakers and advocates driving the change you want to see.

Why it matters

The Youth Leadership Academy brings together diverse young leaders from across the U.S. to learn, connect and create change. Young people are some of the world’s best innovators, topic experts, coalition-builders, mobilizers and communicators. We believe that we can harness this power within young people across the country to make tangible change. Alongside like-minded peers, fellows will continue to learn and grow as leaders.

An overview of the YLA

The YLA starts in June with virtual orientation sessions. In July, you’ll travel to Washington, D.C. for the residential intensive, where you’ll meet other fellows, Plan staff and Youth Advisory Board members. You will be coached on developing your Leadership Project. This includes: identifying a local need or social issue, crafting your mission, analyzing stakeholders, pitching your project, securing funding and much more.

Following the residential intensive, you will implement your Leadership Project with the help of a Youth Advisory Board mentor. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project at our YLA symposium.

A group of young people, some wearing lanyards, sit on a gray carpet in a circle, attentively listening to a woman in a blue shirt who is speaking and gesturing with her hands.

Interested in going?

The YLA is open to students in grades 8-11, living in the U.S. If you are interested in gender equality, global issues or youth-led advocacy, apply here!

Apply now

Leadership projects

A leadership project is a youth-led locally focused project that tackles an issue that you care about.

Following the week-long intensive in Washington, D.C., you will meet throughout the year with an assigned mentor, attend skill-building webinars, access seed funding to launch your project and have opportunities to connect and engage with Plan’s global youth network and partners.

Learn more
A young woman stands giving a presentation to a seated audience in a brightly lit room.

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Four years into the war in Ukraine: What do children need now?

Feb 24, 2026

Four years into the war in Ukraine, children continue to face trauma, disrupted education, and displacement across Ukraine and Eastern Europe. As the crisis shifts from emergency response to long-term recovery, sustained investment in mental health, protection, and education is critical to prevent irreversible harm.

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Contact us

For questions about the Youth Leadership Academy and how to get involved, please reach out to [email protected].

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Youth Advisory Board

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What is the YAB?

The Youth Advisory Board is a body of young people ages 14-22 from across the U.S. They ensure youth voices, perspectives and needs are represented authentically. The Youth Advisory Board are ambassadors of Plan’s global mission, advancing diverse perspectives and ensuring the agency of youth in building a better world.

Mission

As the Youth Advisory Board, we champion representation, accessibility and advocacy to advance an equitable world for girls and young people. Together, we won’t stop until we’re all equal.

Our mandate:

  • Representation: To communicate the youth perspective in the Plan International USA organization, affecting policies, youth programming and engagements.
  • Accessibility: To provide opportunities and access to young people, which allow them to make change in their communities and our nation.
  • Advocacy: To use our expertise to enact change, through effective consultation and organized action.

What the YAB does

The YAB works with Plan International USA teams to make sure young people’s ideas and lived experiences shape our work. From sharing feedback on campaigns to advising on youth engagement, YAB members help ensure youth voices are part of every conversation. Their largest annual project is the Youth Leadership Academy.

Meet the Board

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Join the YAB

The Youth Advisory Board works with Plan International USA teams to make sure young people’s ideas and lived experiences shape our work. If you are 14–22 years old, live in the U.S. and are interested in gender equality, global issues and youth-led advocacy, we would love for you to join us!

We typically accept resumes and cover letters via email in the fall, with final decisions in January and a start date in February. Please check back for next recruitment seasons or email [email protected] for more information.

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