Western Union Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Western Union Foundation supports economic development, education, and financial inclusion. It also provides aid and in-kind donations for disaster relief.

IP TAKE: The Western Union Foundation does not support many large global development projects, but when it does, support is scalable. In other words, it spreads grant money out widely, making it a global development funder on which to keep an eye. It tends to partner with groups over multiple years, which can make it difficult for new grantseekers to gain a toehold. Giving is bureaucratic, but the staff is approachable. Which also means that although its giving is not accessible, you are welcome to contact them to learn more or pitch your work should they inquire.

PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Western Union Foundation is the charitable arm of Western Union, the leading money transfer company. Based in Colorado, the payment services provider has been in existence since 1851 and has outposts in countries around the world. The foundation dedicates itself to "[c]reating 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." While it makes grants nationally, Western Union does so as part of its larger global purview and does not have a distinct domestic program. Its three areas of focus are Workforce Training, Global Scholarships and Communities in Crisis.

Grants for Global Development, Higher Education, Work and Opportunity, Immigrants and Refugees

The Western Union Foundation’s grantmaking for Workforce Training aims to address the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals regarding “the misalignment between schooling and the skills required by employers.” Grants focus on programs around the world that provide young adults and refugees with opportunities to develop vocational skills and education that lead to “quality employment opportunities.” One recent grantee, Education for Employment, operates in the Middle East and sections of North Africa and has helped more than 100,000 young people secure jobs in the technology and healthcare sectors. Other grantees include Kenya’s RefuShe, New York City’s Pursuit and the U.K.’s Micro Rainbow.

The foundation’s Global Scholarships program represents a collaboration between Western Union and the Institute of International Education, which accepts nominations from colleges and universities around the world for awards that support “high-potential, in-need students who are struggling to afford to graduate.” Since the program’s start in 2017, it has supported over 500 students in 100 countries.

Grants for Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid

Western Union makes grants for relief and aid via its Communities in Crisis focus area, which responds to natural and other types of disasters around the world. Recent grants have supported the American Red Cross’s work in Afghanistan, the International Medical Corps, Save the Children and the United Way of India.

Important Grant Details:

Western Union's global development grantees are often smaller entities based in the country where they conduct operations. For the most part, Western Union grants are about $50,000 each, but they can range up to around $500,000.

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, but it does welcome contact from parties whose vision and goals align with its mission and who have a good project that needs funding. Grantees can receive support for multi-year projects.

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