ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Western Union Foundation today announced its fourth quarter 2013 grant commitment of US$1.15 million, which will be distributed across more than 25 nonprofit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world. In 2013, the Western Union Foundation provided grants totaling more than US$6.8 million.

The grants help increase access to – and improve the quality of – education programs in multiple regions. Through its signature program Education for Better, the Western Union Foundation is committed to supporting secondary and vocational education programs that facilitate financial and economic opportunity for individuals, their families, and their communities.

“Education for Better provides assistance for education programs in key markets, and leverages the strength of The Western Union Company’s global network to achieve a tangible social impact on the communities and customers we serve,” said Patrick Gaston , president of the Western Union Foundation. “We are pleased with the impact of Education for Better as we approach the mid-point of our three-year commitment, and we will continue to seek opportunities to support NGOs that provide valuable education programs that set the framework for financial inclusion and economic development.”

Since the launch of Education for Better in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Western Union Foundation has committed more than $7.6 million in key markets around the globe, in support of the program. The Foundation’s Education for Better grants have reached nearly 120 NGOs in 40 countries.

NGOs receiving a grant as part of the Western Union Foundation fourth quarter 2013 cycle include:

• A grant to Aldeas Infantiles SOS Péru, funded in conjunction with Western Union Agent DHL Express (Péru), will support the GoTeach program, which empowers disadvantaged youth to achieve an independent life through a multi-stage educational program that is designed to prepare them for employment.
• The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) will receive a grant to support the NGO’s ongoing work with the Bright China Foundation (BCF) to implement a classroom-based “Business Camp” curriculum in vocational schools across nine Chinese provinces. The collaboration between NFTE and BCF reaches approximately 38,000 students in China.
• The International Rescue Committee has been awarded a grant to help fund the Youth & Livelihoods in Ethiopia program. The grant will allow the IRC to develop an entrepreneurship and business skills training curriculum and toolkit, which addresses the critical need to enable financial education among refugee youth in Ethiopia.
• Pratham USA will receive a grant to expand the Arora Institute for Vocational Training. Pratham will set up residential and non-residential training Centers in up to 17 states in India to address the need of employability and the acquisition of industry-specific skills among India’s youth.

In addition to the grant cycle, during the fourth quarter of 2013, the Western Union Foundation, in conjunction with Western Union Agents, business partners and employees, committed more than US$270,000 for disaster relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

Additional information, including the mission and purpose of 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. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and 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 $93.9 million in grants and other giving to more than 2,708 nongovernmental organizations in more than 133 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. 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 December 31, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs. In 2013, The Western Union Company completed 242 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 459 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

WU-G
WU-P

Source: Western Union