Western Union Foundation Fellowship Program 2025

Overview

The Western Union Foundation Fellowship Program 2025 is a prestigious, fully funded Impact Fellowship designed for innovative individuals who come from — or actively serve — refugee, marginalized, or forcibly displaced communities around the world. This dynamic and inclusive program is aimed at social entrepreneurs who are already driving change in their communities and are looking to scale their ventures to new heights.

Through a high-impact curriculum supported by the Watson Institute, this fellowship equips participants with cutting-edge entrepreneurial tools, mentorship from global experts, and access to a powerful network of changemakers and funders. Whether you run a non-profit or a for-profit social venture, the program offers the structure and support to amplify your mission.

About the Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Western Union Company. Operating independently as a charitable corporation, it is backed by contributions from the company’s employees, agents, consumers, and business partners. For over 20 years, the Foundation has worked globally to empower underserved populations through economic opportunity and education.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the foundation is led by a board of directors composed of senior Western Union executives and a dedicated team of grantmakers, fundraisers, and social impact professionals.

Goals and Benefits of the Fellowship

The fellowship is tailored to amplify your social venture’s reach and deepen its community impact. Key benefits include

• Full funding for all program activities

• Live online workshops three times a week

• Mentorship from seasoned social entrepreneurs and thought leaders

• A Community Development Stipend to support your local Basecamp project

• An invitation to a Virtual Summit, where you’ll pitch your venture to an audience of global funders, leaders, and change agents

• Long-term access to a supportive global network of Fellows and mentors

Eligibility Criteria

Entrepreneur Profile

Applicants must have a personal or professional connection to a marginalized, refugee, or displaced community. Ideal candidates are actively working to improve the lives of such populations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Venture Stage

Your organization (non-profit or for-profit) should already have a functioning business model and be actively serving a community in need. You should be at a stage where scaling your impact is your next strategic goal.

Geographic Focus

Applicants must be located in — or have active projects serving — the following countries:
Costa Rica, Argentina, Lithuania, the Philippines, the United States, Brazil, Uganda, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Germany, Colombia, Japan, and Pakistan.

Program Timeline & Format

• Program Dates: August 25 – December 16, 2025

• Immersive Period: Begins August 25 with a 2-week intensive online experience

• Weekly Commitment: 8–10 hours (includes 2-hour sessions every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8:30–10:30 AM MT / GMT-6)

• Immersive Commitment: 10–15 hours per week during the virtual Immersive

• Capstone Event: Virtual Summit on December 16, 2025

Core Components

• Interactive Virtual Workshops: Skill-building and collaboration sessions with your global cohort

• Basecamp Project: You’ll design and lead a 1–3 day workshop in your own community, using program-provided resources

• Mentorship & Community: Direct engagement with mentors and a global network of social innovators

• Virtual Summit: Showcase your progress and pitch your venture to global stakeholders

How to Apply

If you are ready to grow your social impact venture and meet the eligibility criteria, visit the Watson Institute application portal to submit your application:
Apply here via Watson Institute

For further information and program updates, visit the Western Union Foundation website.