Total Investments increase support for more than 820,000 individuals
across 137 countries
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, the Western
Union Foundation announces the release of its global 2018
Impact Report. The report highlights key philanthropic programs
making significant strides to connect underserved populations to the
global economy through workforce training, WU Scholars, disaster relief
and employee engagement.
“We are guided by the belief that education is the surest pathway to
creating economic opportunity that is inclusive for all,” Executive
Director of the Western Union Foundation, Elizabeth Roscoe said. “Our
mission is fueled by this principle. The Western Union Foundation, along
with Western Union employees, agents and customers are proud of our
global reach, and together strive to lift up vulnerable populations,
giving them the tools to succeed in the global economy.”
-
Workforce
Training: The Western Union Foundation’s signature workforce
training program, Education for Better has committed to provide 50,000
migrants, refugees, women and youth with transformational 21st century
job skills by the year 2020. The multi-year commitment is supported by
strategic partnerships and programs with 53 non-governmental
organizations, including Education
for Employment, Junior
Achievement, Re:Coded,
Boy
With a Ball and the Whitaker
Peace & Development Initiative. In total, the Education for
Better initiative has provided educational opportunities for more than
100,000 individuals since inception. -
WU
Scholars: In its second year, WU Scholars, a global scholarship
program continued support for students pursuing a post-secondary
education in the areas of science, technology, engineering,
mathematics (STEM), business and entrepreneurship. In 2018, 164
scholarships were awarded to students across 56 countries based on
their accomplishments and personal goals related to the program’s
three pillars: perseverance, aspiration, and community. -
Disaster
Relief: In 2018, the Western Union Foundation in collaboration
with the Western Union company, its employees, agents, and customers,
responded to 13
disasters affecting communities around the world. Through
collaborations with the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Save
The Children, International
Rescue Committee and American
Red Cross we have provided aid to communities in need. -
Employee
Engagement: A record 84% of Western Union employees from around
the world chose to finically support the Foundation’s work in 2018.
Their support also came in the form of more than 15,000 volunteer
hours.
“The Western Union Foundation could not be as ambitious or effective if
Western Union’s global workforce didn’t wholeheartedly share our
passion,” Chief Compliance Officer and Chair of the Western Union
Foundation Board, Jacqueline Molnar said. “Through the Foundation’s
work, we have been able to positivity impact the lives of 11,600 people
in 2018, by comparison nearly the same number of employees who work at
Western Union.”
To learn more about the Western Union Foundation visit our website wu.com/foundation.
To view the 2018 Impact Report in its entirety, visit: http://on.wu.com/WUF2018Impact.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the
surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with
NGOs around the world, the Foundation has embarked on a mission to
connect 50,000 migrants, refugees, women and youth to the global economy
through demand-driven skills training and workforce enablement programs
by 2020. The Foundation also offers a global scholarship program that
helps put a post-secondary education in reach for in-need students
studying in the STEM fields and business. To date, more than $119
million has been given to fund projects affecting more than 820,000
people in 137 countries across the globe, including disaster relief for
communities in crisis. The Western Union Foundation is a separate
charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the US
Internal Revenue Code, and receives support from The Western Union
Company, its employees, agents and business partners. Contributions to
the Foundation are tax-deductible for US income tax purposes. To learn
more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org
or follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
Contacts
Rachel Rogala, Western Union
+1 (303) 808-2674, Rachel.Rogala@wu.com
