More Than 80 Global NGOs Receive More Than $3 Million
Through Our World, Our Family Program

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Following through on its commitment to empower migrant families through education and global economic opportunity programs, The Western Union Foundation today announced another 80 grants under the Our World, Our Family program. Our World, Our Family, a joint initiative of the Western Union Company and the Western Union Foundation, has granted more than $5 million to more than 150 non-profit organizations since its launch in Sept. 2007.

The Our World, Our Family initiative is the result of extensive research. During its development, Western Union consulted with leaders in corporate philanthropy and experts in global migration as well as its own consumers, employees and Agents. The program is framed around four pillars or focus areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks. Each pillar is given equal attention and is designed to address the critical needs and challenges of the world's migrant population.

Not surprisingly, education has emerged as one of the most critical needs. "The impact of education is multi-generational," says Luella Chavez D'Angelo, president, The Western Union Foundation. "Not only does it lead to increased opportunity for the individual, but it can impact the fortunes of the entire family. Time and time again we see that the success of one family member lifts the hopes and aspirations of every other family member."

Accordingly, many of the organizations which benefited from the Foundation's most recent grants are focused on providing educational opportunities around the globe.

In China, The Western Union Foundation has teamed with the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) to support educational opportunities for children from remote villages. Founded in 1989, CYDF is devoted to the well-being and development of Chinese youth, primarily with regards to education, science and technology, culture, physical education, health, and environmental protection.

In India, the Foundation is supporting the Naandi Foundation in its efforts to educate impoverished girls from the country's most marginalized communities. Through education, Project Nanhi Kali seeks to provide opportunity to some of the poorest of the poor, setting girls on the path to independence, maturity and social responsibility.

In Kenya, the Foundation is working with the Global Education Fund (GEF) to create libraries in rural and urban orphanage homes. Each library will provide a rich selection of books and tutoring assistance. In addition, the program will provide textbooks and teacher training for a number of schools in the slums of Nairobi, serving more than 4,000 orphaned and destitute children.

In the United States, a contribution to Open World Learning (OWL) will aid in curriculum design and implementation for a program supporting children's educational success. By emphasizing both basic educational skills and advanced computer skills, OWL will help prepare students for success in the digital world.

These are just a few of the many worthy projects supported by The Western Union Foundation's Our World, Our Family program. For more information on Our World, Our Family or on individual grants, please visit the Foundation's Website at www.westernunion.com/foundation.

About the Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the donations of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), its employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world. Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with Western Union Agents and employees, has granted nearly $45 million to more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects. In addition, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations and has funded education and human services programs. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com/foundation.

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SOURCE: The Western Union Company

The Western Union Company Sherry Johnson, 720-941-0905 Sherry.l.johnson@westernunion.com