ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) and The Western Union Foundation
today announced that they are on track to meet and exceed the goal of
pledging $10 million for educational programs around the world – more
than a year ahead of schedule.
The commitment represents philanthropic giving over the three-year
period in partnership with the Western Union Company, employees, Western
Union Agents, other business partners and consumers.
“One of the main reasons our customers send money is to fund education
for loved ones at home,” said Western Union President and CEO Hikmet
Ersek. “Education is important to our customers, and it’s important to
us. We’re committed to supporting programs around the world that help
ensure success for the next generation.”
The achievement coincides with Western Union’s participation this week
at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York.
The program has funded grants to charitable organizations such as
UNICEF, Teach For All, UNESCO, Mercy Corps, Pratham, Save the Children
and Jobs for America’s Graduates. The Western Union Foundation will
continue to give to education programs around the world to support even
more access to quality educational opportunities.
Two years ago this week, Western Union announced its “Education for
Better” program, a three-year commitment. The program aims to provide an
average of $10,000 per day for more than 1,000 days in potential Western
Union Foundation grant funding for nonprofit, nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) working in the education space, including support
for one million days of school.
Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has pledged more than
$98.5 million in grants and other giving to more than 2,729
nongovernmental organizations in more than 133 countries and territories.
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, 2014, 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.
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 paid more than $98.5 million in grants and other giving.
These funds have been pledged to more than 2,729 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.
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Source: Western Union