Company: Western Union, Englewood, Colorado
Company Description: A leader in global money transfer services, Western Union connects the world through its 335,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries. The company expresses its corporate citizenship commitment through its core business and aligned social programs. In 2007, the company introduced an innovative new signature cause program: Our World, Our Family.
Nomination Category: Company & Office Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in South America

Nomination Title: Western Union's Commitment to Migrants and Their Families

   1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

          Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has granted $45 million to 1,600 NGOs
          in 70 countries. To increase its impact, in late 2007, Western Union introduced
          Our World, Our Family, a five year, $50 million investment in fostering
          economic opportunity. Through this program, Western Union is addressing the
          largely unmet needs of an important yet often overlooked segment of the South
          American community: migrants and the families they leave behind.
          In 2007, migrants sent home an estimated $369 billion in recorded remittances,
          more than two times the official aid received by developing countries –
          combined. As a leader in money transfer, Western Union is developing new ways
          to more systematically harness the power of diaspora networks to make poverty
          history.

          To realize this potential, Western Union engaged dozens of issue experts,
          researched more than 400 potential NGOs partners, and forged a relationship
          with Mercy Corps, an NGO that since 1979 has provided more than USD $1B in
          assistance.

          Together with its partners, Western Union is working to empower families across
          South America with customized tools and resources that address their
          distinctive economic needs:

          Our World Gives fosters collective grant-making to address the root causes of
          economically-driven migration. Components will include Global Giving Circles
          and a Community Investment Fund built on the 4+1 program, which has created
          4,000 jobs.

          Our World Learns addresses overlooked educational needs of newer migrants and
          their families back home. Components will include learning packs that provide
          language and community resources, and family scholarships, given to two-or-more
          members of the same family for any level education.

          Our World Strives spurs self-sufficiency and for more established migrants
          through a Volunteer Mentor Corps. Our World Online builds on the company’s
          Business Information Clearinghouse, and online tool that has supported 1.7
          million small business inquiries and helped launch 300 new migrant and minority
          small businesses.

          Our World Speaks creates new forums for fact-based dialogue, driven by the
          company’s new research tools. Components include a corporate coalition building
          on Western Union’s work with the UN.

          To broaden its impact, Western Union encourages its Agents and employees to
          give of their time and talent:

          • Employee Giving Circles seek to engage more than 25 percent of all 
                  employees worldwide, including South America
          • Volunteer Mentor Corps provides focused, skills-based individual and
                  team volunteer opportunities for Western Union employees and Agents
          • Donations for Doers: provides up-to $50,000 for $500 grants to 
                  organizations where employees volunteer 50 hours/year

          Since the program’s announcement in September 2007, early successes include
          record employee engagement, an active pilot program in four markets such as
          Guatemala, 150 focused grants, and a first-ever corporate partnership with the
          UN’s CERF disaster fund.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

          Below is a link to a Web page on the Western Union Web site. This page gives
          more of a detailed overview of the various pillars of Our World, Our Familysm,
          including detailed information on Western Union’s 4+1 program in Mexico and the
          Business Information Clearinghouse and Entrepreneurial Development Center:

          http://corporate.westernunion.com/ourworld.html

          Below are links to press releases surrounding the announcement and launch of
          Our World, Our Family:

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=263892

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=268776

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=292683

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=302077

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=303021

          Below are links to several press releases that detail Western Union’s
          philanthropic support of NGOs throughout South America since January 1, 2007:

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=241147

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=246629

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=261637

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=264374

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=264423

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=273668

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=260989

          http://ir.westernunion.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=298116

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

          As president and CEO of Western Union, Christina Gold is responsible for the
          financial and operational performance of the company - a worldwide leader in
          money transfer, bill payment and prepaid services. Based at Western Union's
          global headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, Gold has executive management
          oversight of a network of 335,000 Agent locations around the globe. In
          addition, she oversees an employee base of approximately 5,900 people.

          Prior to joining Western Union in 2002, Gold was president and CEO of Excel
          Communications. She also had a long and distinguished career with Avon where
          she served as president, Avon North America.