Western Union Exceeds "Education for Better" Goal

The Western Union Company and The Western Union Foundation today announced it has exceed the goal of pledging $10 million for education programs around the world – having reached more than $11.5 million in grants and formal donations, a year ahead of schedule.

The "Education for Better” commitment represents more than 250 grants and formal donations in partnership with the Western Union Company, employees, Western Union Agents, other business partners and consumers – benefiting students, teachers and schools in 53 countries via 160 organizations.

“Education is important to both our customers and Western Union," said Patrick Gaston, Western Union Foundation President. "We’re committed to supporting programs around the world that help ensure success for the next generation.”

Two years ago, Western Union announced its “Education for Better” program, a three-year commitment. The program aimed 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.

"Education for Better" 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, supporting access to quality educational opportunities worldwide.

In 2014, over 7,500 Western Union employees contributed to The Western Union Foundation. In addition to “Education for Better,” The Western Union Foundation has supported major disaster relief efforts, including over $500,000 in support of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the launch of a million-dollar global business challenge to help fight the Ebola outbreak.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: 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 September 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 and kiosks. 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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