ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
As part of Western Union’s commitment to support the global communities
it serves, The
Western Union Foundation today announced more than US$1.8 million in
2014 fourth quarter grants were distributed to key non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) worldwide.
"The Western Union Foundation is proud of our history investing in
programs and services that are making a positive and lasting impact in
areas throughout the world," said Western Union Foundation President
Patrick Gaston
. "We are honored to team with our global NGO partners to
achieve meaningful outcomes for people in communities that are facing
significant challenges in education, disaster recovery, and economic
stability."
Education
The Foundation’s investment
of more than $1.04 million in fourth quarter education grants
enables communities worldwide to continue to grow and strengthen
initiatives that improve education for students. Some of these grants
included:
-
UNICEF
Education Programs – Grant supporting UNICEF’s education programs
in Peru and beyond, which are helping to ensure that all children
realize their right to a quality education.
-
Interkulturelles
Zentrum / Vielfalter - P2B (Proud to Belong) program – More than
2,000 primary and secondary students in Austria will benefit from a
US$175,000 grant to help promote personal development, parental
involvement, multi-lingualism and equal opportunities.
-
Africare
/ Youth Center for Learning and Excellence – A Foundation grant will
contribute to the educational recovery in Liberia, once the peak of
the Ebola crisis has passed, by establishing centers of excellence to
help young people increase technical and leadership skills. The goal
is to help generate consistent income that would improve economic
stability.
-
Rotary Sanskardham Academy School for the Deaf / School Expansion –
Grant to benefit 250 students in Mumbai, India through school
expansion to address a broad range of learning and physical
disabilities.
-
White
Land Foundation / Training Program for Income Generation – Funds
distributed here will benefit 150 unemployed women in rural areas of
Lebanon. The training will support their capability to work, increase
their productivity and provide family income.
-
Financial
Service Centers of America (FiSCA) / National Scholarship Program
– Ten to 11 U.S. high school students will be awarded scholarships of
approximately US$2,000 each.
Disaster Relief
More than US$630,000 in grants were distributed in the fourth quarter to
support efforts including recovery from fires, Ebola treatment and flood
disaster response. Disaster relief grants included:
-
International
Medical Corps and Save
the Children Federation / Ebola Outbreak Disaster Relief – Funding
will focus on containing and stopping the spread of this deadly virus.
The two organizations are on-the-ground delivering a broad spectrum of
services to patients, caregivers, people at-risk and their surrounding
communities. In addition, the Western Union Foundation has launched a million-dollar
global business challenge to help fight the Ebola outbreak in West
Africa. The Foundation will provide a 1:1 match for all donations, up
to $500,000, supporting the International Medical Corps and Save the
Children.
-
Australian
Red Cross / Victoria Bushfire Recovery – A US$15,000 grant used to
support the recovery in communities impacted by the Victorian
bushfires. This grant will focus on recovery efforts through training,
education and provision of resources.
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 $101.1 million in grants and other giving.
These funds have been pledged to more than 2,739 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 135 countries and territories. The Western
Union Foundation is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States
charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org,
or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
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, 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 and kiosks. In 2014,
The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer
transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between
consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information,
visit www.westernunion.com.
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Source: Western Union