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Our Foundation
The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the generous donations of The Western Union Company, our employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world.
Western Union Foundation 2006 Statement of Revenue & Expenditures
Programs
Global Grants
Since 2000, the Western Union Foundation has granted more than $40 million in humanitarian aid to more than 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in more than 70 countries. We are proud to have awarded 485 non-traditional students, many of whom are immigrants, with scholarships to fulfill their dreams of a college education, and to have responded with compassion and generosity to over 50 relief operations worldwide. Every donation made to the Foundation saves lives, empowers families and communities, and fosters real hope and opportunities in nearly every corner of the globe. See for yourself the incredible impact the Western Union Foundation is making.
Global Grant Stories:
United States –Language acquisition program in Brooklyn helps people in their everyday lives
Ghana –Sustainable interventions that improve the lives of children and women
China –600 at-risk children now have the opportunity to attend school in rural Liaoning Province, many for the first time
United States –Chinese immigrants in New York City have access to English classes and social services
Argentina – Soccer star helps families with permanent and improved shelter for Argentina’s poorest families
2006 list of all Global Grants
Agent Gift Match
Individual lives and entire communities are being transformed through the generosity of Western Union® Agents worldwide. When an Agent donates to the Foundation, funds are matched, dollar-for-dollar, and sent directly to programs that help vulnerable people in the Agent’s community of choice. Exponentially more philanthropy is happening worldwide as Agents add their donations to the Foundation’s charitable outreach.
Since the Foundation established the Agent Gift-Match Program in 2003, more than 150 Agents from 42 countries have used the program to effectively double their community donations. To date, Agent gifts to community projects through the Foundation exceed $4.5 million, resulting in a total charitable impact of more than $9 million with the Foundation’s matching gifts. In 2006 alone, Agents contributed a record $2.1 million to charitable projects, creating a combined donation of $4.2 million through the Agent Gift-Match Program.
To see how Western Union Agents’ generosity and communities worldwide, click the links below.
Mexico – Giving the opportunity for deaf children to hear
Vietnam – Restoring vision to blind children
Pakistan – Offering children left homeless and parentless a home and an education
Kuwait – Life skills to improve the lives of young people
2006 List of Agent Gift Match grants
Scholarships
Since its inception in December 2000, the Foundation’s Scholarship Program has awarded 485 educational scholarships totaling $895,000 to hardworking, non-traditional students in the United States. In 2006 alone, the Foundation granted $114,500 for scholarships to help 95 immigrants, refugees, single parents and others achieve their college education dreams.
Every Foundation scholarship recipient has overcome seemingly overwhelming odds to succeed in school and life. Most are the first in their families to attend college. All have demonstrated an unwavering determination to reach their goals in spite of language, cultural, economic and other barriers.
To see how Foundation gifts provide hope and opportunity through the lives of students from diverse backgrounds, click the links below.
Geneva Johnson – Sees a future as a pediatric neurosurgeon
Adeng Maluk Leek – Lost Girl of Sudan on Road to Becoming Computer Information Specialist
Ruben Roque Castro – Determined to be a Judicial Circuit Judge
2006 list of all Western Union Scholarships
Disaster Relief
Over the past six years, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster relief operations around the world. These grants aid victims of natural catastrophes as well as man-made tragedies. In 2006, the Foundation awarded $650,000 in emergency aid and in projects to help people rebuild their lives. Click below to read profiles on disaster relief grantmaking:
Philippines – Helping to rebuild lives after devastating mudslides in the Southern province of Leyte
Kenya – Improving access to water during a drought
Indonesia – Providing immediate relief to victims of the May 2006 earthquake
Thailand – Rebuilding and sustaining the livelihood of a fishing village after the Tsunami
2006 List of Disaster Relief grants
Key Facts
Since 2001 The Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with our Agents and employees, has:
- Granted over $40 million to more than 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects, provide disaster relief and fund education, health and human services programs;
- Supported 485 non-traditional students worldwide with scholarships totaling nearly $895,000;
- Supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations around the world;
- Partnered with more than 150 Western Union Agents in charitable programs.
In 2006 the Foundation gave more than $9 million to communities worldwide.
Values
Our Foundation Embodies Western Union Values
INTEGRITY
Ensure that all donations to and from the Foundation are spent wisely and given to reliable, effective non-governmental organizations.
PARTNERSHIP
Work together with Western Union employees, Agents and non-governmental organizations to be effective and efficient in our Foundation’s work.
OPPORTUNITY
Empower individuals to build a better life for themselves and their families.
PASSION
Western Union is a company that gives to and cares about global communities.
TEAMWORK
Together we can make great things happen in the lives of individuals, families and whole communities around the world.
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