The Western Union Foundation Commits More than $1.8 Million in 2014 Fourth Quarter Grants Supporting Global Education

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 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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