Western Union Foundation releases 2020 impact report

Giving By Emily Larson Mar 17, 2021

Reaching 200,000 People in 33 Countries with Career & COVID-19 Support in 2020

The Western Union Foundation invested more than $6M to impact 200,000 people in 33 countries – funding training, education, and other workforce initiatives for migrants, refugees, and international students, as well as for disaster and COVID-19 relief. In our 2020 Impact Report, we highlight the impact created by community activation and calls on the global community to take further action to connect underserved populations to economic opportunity as the world begins early-stage recovery from a COVID-disrupted global economy.

2020 also marked the first full year of the Foundation’s signature Opportunity Beyond Borders commitment, a three-year, $15M investment to provide migrant and refugee young adults with tools, network, and resources to gain sustainable employment.

“I’m proud of all the ways Western Union responded to COVID in 2020, including through our philanthropy,” said President and CEO Hikmet Ersek. “Both our Company and our Foundation advanced our shared goals of funding migrant integration through job skilling, scholarships, and disaster prevention and relief.”

“The last year has only reiterated the need—and deepened our commitment—to help forcibly and economically displaced people find substantial jobs and decent wages,” said Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Roscoe. “In turn, these workers help build economies everywhere by establishing businesses, creating jobs and promoting cross-border commerce. Our ability to make these positive impacts is only possible through the enduring support of many organizations and people, including Western Union employees. We’re so thankful for them and for our corporate donors, who consistently step up to support our efforts worldwide.”

In 2020, 64% of Western Union employees contributed money and volunteer time to causes including the Foundation’s mission, totaling nearly $2 million in charitable donations.

Major corporate donors to the Foundation, in addition to Western Union, include Wells Fargo, Grant Thornton, Cognizant, McKinsey & Company, HCL Technologies, TATA Consultancy Services, and MediaHub.

Learn about the impact to people and partners made in the past year by reading our impact report in its entirety, visiting our newly launched website, and following us on Twitter for the latest news.