Among the core areas of giving at the heart of the McWane Foundation is early education. For Executive Vice President Will McWane, his commitment to help ensure opportunities for future generations is demonstrated through his work with Junior Achievement of Alabama where he serves on the Board of Directors. Underscoring his commitment to help the organization fulfill its mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed, Will and his wife, Kaitlyn, along with the McWane family, recently committed a lead donation of $4 million to anchor the development of a state-of-the-art learning center in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Junior Achievement (JA) McWane Economic Education Center is a $20 million investment aimed at combined classroom curriculum with a hands-on experiential site at two flagship learning facilities. By bringing real-world companies, jobs, and scenarios into the classroom, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park will equip students with practical knowledge that inspires and prepares them for pathways beyond their educational journey. The capital campaign represents a significant investment for Birmingham and the underserved population. With state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programming, JA aims to reach 20,000 students each year in the new center, empowering them to achieve their full potential.
“It’s great that we’re in a position to support this project. Many people at McWane work tirelessly every day to put us in a position to have an impact on our community like this,” said Will McWane. “The immersive experience provided by the McWane Economic Education Center will create a lasting impression, equipping students with tools to maximize their own economic potential.”