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 Opportunity Beyond Borders initiative supports projects addressing Workforce Training, Global Scholarships, and Communities in Crisis.
Grants for Global Development, Education and Refugees
Western Union Foundation’s primary grantmaking initiative is the Opportunity Beyond Borders program, which “collaborate[s] with nonprofits around the world to provide migrants and refugees with the skills needed for better jobs and a chance at a better life.” It also mobilizes to “respond in times of disaster or humanitarian crises to aid in the rebuilding of communities.” The program is subdivided into three categories: Workforce Training, Global Scholarships, and Communities in Crisis.
Workforce Training is a broad-ranging category that the foundation interprets in various ways. In the past, the foundation has supported financial literacy programs, small business development, and workforce training. Currently, it works “with nonprofits globally to ensure young adults have access to capacity-building and training necessary for quality employment opportunities – leading to better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Global Scholarships houses the WU Scholars program, which “helps fund studies for deserving students in need.” It supports student development both domestically and globally. The scholarship program accepts nominations one or two times per year, so grantseekers need to keep an eye on the program for updates.
The Communities in Crisis program focuses on support for immigrants and refugees, as well as serving the immediate needs and helping to rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Across its global education funding, the foundation has pivoted, according to Patrick Gaston, to “focus on more workforce training and job skills training in the educational realm, but focused on women and youth.” As a result, education giving supported displaced children and out-of-school refugees, two groups that Western Union has been keenly focused on for some time now.
The foundation's humanitarian funding partners NGOs abroad with the Western Union crisis management team to deploy resources quickly when communities are devastated by earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. The foundation funds emergency response and rebuilding efforts in the wake of natural disasters and also offers in-kind support to NGOs working in disaster-stricken regions. Once a disaster occurs, Western Union is typically able to get on scene and begin responding within 48 hours.
The foundation responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by securing equipment for frontline healthcare workers, as well as providing hunger relief, medical training, and other essential services. Additionally, it donated over $1 million to global coronavirus response and recovery organizations.
Opportunity Beyond Borders partners and grantees include Aspen Institute, Global Alliance for Africa, Center for Global Development, Kiron, and National Partnership for New Americans. See individual initiative pages for a better idea of the types of organizations the foundation supports.
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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