ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The
Western Union Foundation today announced its second quarter 2013
grant commitment of US$1.7 million, which will be distributed across
more than 20 nonprofit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the
world. To date in 2013, the Western Union Foundation has announced
grants totaling more than US$2.9 million.
The grants are designed to help increase access to – and improve the
quality of – education programs in multiple regions. The grant cycle
provides further support for the Western
Union Education for Better program, which is a three-year
commitment to growing young minds through strategic grants that focus on
secondary education and vocational training.
“We are actively supporting NGOs that are committed to expanding
educational opportunities for global communities,” said
Patrick
Gaston
, president of the Western Union Foundation. “Education
for Better is a long-term program that not only includes
grant making, but also consists of collaborations with Western Union
Agents to make a tangible impact on the communities and customers we
serve. To date, many Western Union Agents have joined in the Education
for Better program, with the Western Union Foundation matching
Agent grants to support educational programs around the world.”
NGOs receiving a grant as part of the Western Union Foundation second
quarter 2013 cycle include:
-
Africa: The Daniel
Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF) in Nigeria will receive
support for the “Project Read to Succeed” program, which provides
libraries for public schools in the country.
-
Asia Pacific: The Planeterra
Foundation will receive a grant to assist the New Delhi Streetkids
Project and the Women’s Vocational Training Café program in India.
These programs provide education, job training and counseling services
for women and children in New Delhi.
-
Caribbean: The Western Union Foundation will support Haitian
Education & Leadership Program (HELP) scholarships for
students to complete higher education degrees, with an additional
focus on skills training and career services.
-
Europe: Interkulturelles
Zentrum in Austria will be provided with funding for the MyWU Kids
Summer Camp, which is a two-week program that includes language and
sports skills training for underprivileged children. The camp is open
for all children between ages 8-11, subject to program eligibility
requirements.
-
Middle East: A grant to Lebanese
American University in Beirut will help provide financial aid to
students under the school’s Annual Scholarship Grant program.
Additional information, including the mission, purpose, and how to apply
for a grant from the Western Union Foundation, can be found at www.westernunionfoundation.org.
About The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world,
where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not
just a privilege for the few but a right for all. With the support of
The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners,
The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting
education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better
future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for
individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its
inception, The Western Union Foundation has committed more than $86.9
million in grants and other giving to more than 2,627 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 130 countries and territories. To learn more,
visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment
services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western
Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union
provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to
purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of approximately 520,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and approximately 115,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union
Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions
worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432
million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
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Source: Western Union