United Way Worldwide To Accept Bitcoin Donations via Coinbase Platform

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way Worldwide and Coinbase, a leading bitcoin wallet and platform, have announced a partnership in which donors around the world can contribute to United Way's Innovation Fund using the bitcoin currency.

The Innovation Fund is transforming United Way and the social sector through technology, relationships, and efficiency. Through the Coinbase platform, which is currently used by over 1.6 million consumers, 36,000 merchants, and 6,000 developers worldwide, United Way Worldwide will accept donations to the Innovation Fund directly from a donor's digital wallet via desktop or a smartphone without any transaction fees.

"United Way Worldwide embraces the opportunity to make it easier for donors to support the causes that matter most to them, and this means innovating to evolve with the donor landscape," said Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "Achieving United Way's vision for the world – where all individuals and families achieve their human potential – requires innovation powered by new technology and outreach methods.  In that spirit, integrating bitcoin donations with the United Way Worldwide Innovation Fund helps us achieve this crucial goal. In addition, as the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit, United Way seeks to lead the way for others by taking bold steps to grow our organization, and we are delighted to do so again today."

"United Way Worldwide recognizes Bitcoin as an emerging technology that is impacting charitable giving by reducing the costs associated with receiving online payments," said Brian Armstrong, Co-founder and CEO of Coinbase. "We are pleased to partner with United Way Worldwide and help donors around the world contribute to the organization's impactful initiatives."

In communities around the world, United Way Worldwide works to ensure that every child has a quality education, every family has a stable income, and people enjoy good health. United Ways' impact in communities creates real change that goes beyond charity. Donations to the Innovation Fund can be made online by visiting www.unitedway.org/bitcoin. 

About United Way Worldwide
With more than 2.8 million volunteers and 9.7 million donors worldwide, and more than $5 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. It is working in nearly 1,800 communities across 41 countries and territories to create community solutions that improve life for everyone. Across the world, United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, civic and faith organizations, as well as educators, labor, health organizations, government and more.

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SOURCE United Way Worldwide