Western Union Enables In-App Donations For US Customers

U.S. customers can now make a donation to the Western Union Foundation when transferring money using the Western Union app, the company said in a press release on Tuesday (Dec. 10).

The Western Union Foundation chose the American Red Cross’ Restoring Family Links initiative as the beneficiary of customer donations in honor of International Migrants Day on Dec. 18. The new feature was developed as a result of a company-wide hackathon.

Restoring Family Links, which helps reconnect family members separated by crisis, conflict and migration, has been in operation for almost 150 years. The organization will receive 100 percent of donations made from Dec. 15-Jan. 15. The Western Union Foundation will make an additional $10 contribution (up to $50,000) for every in-app donation.

“The work we do through the Restoring Family Links program would not be possible without donors like the Western Union Foundation. We are grateful to have a partner that shares our mission of connecting loved ones,” said Gino Greco, Red Cross regional CEO for Colorado and Wyoming. “We are proud to work alongside the Western Union Foundation in celebration of International Migrants Day and look forward to uniting more families.”

To make a donation through the app, U.S. customers click “Donate to the WU Foundation” before completing their money transfer.

“The Western Union mobile app donation feature is a tangible example of our inclusive innovation philosophy,” said Khalid Fellahi, president and global head of consumer money transfers. “We used a hackathon format to tap into the expertise and collaborative spirit of our employees around the globe.”

Western Union and the Western Union Foundation have a long history of supporting organizations and issues related to migration, refugees and humanitarian crises.

Elizabeth Roscoe, executive director of the Western Union Foundation and Western Union’s head of corporate brand and purpose, said, “At its core, Western Union is a network that connects people. By fostering those connections together with the American Red Cross Restoring Family Links initiative, we are supporting families, building communities and growing the world economy.”

Western Union’s Q3 report showed quarterly earnings of $0.49 per share, beating the Zacks consensus estimate of $0.47 per share.