The Planet Wheeler Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2008 by Maureen and Tony Wheeler, founders of Lonely Planet Publications.

Planet Wheeler is based in Melbourne, Australia, and most of their funding is allocated to Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, Nepal and Afghanistan. Their areas of focus are health, education, human rights and climate change.

Their purpose, put simply, is to support practical and effective projects making a difference in the alleviation of poverty.

 

History

Maureen and Tony Wheeler have a long philanthropic history. In their travels as founders and authors of Lonely Planet Publications, they saw first-hand the need to support those more in need than themselves.

They began supporting international development decades ago and as Lonely Planet book sales grew over the years, so did their passion for giving. Lonely Planet first established a policy of donating a fixed percentage of profits in 1987. The sale of Lonely Planet Publications saw their philanthropic efforts take on a life of their own and Planet Wheeler Foundation was born.

Planet Wheeler Foundation has no religious or political affiliations.