Western Union 'Education for Better' Program on Track to Exceed Goal

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Western Union Company 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 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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