Helping Entrepreneurs Change the World
When we teach children to be entrepreneurs, and support entrepreneurial endeavors, we provide the resources they need to be independent, contributing members of society. We provide them an opportunity. In turn, they go out into their communities and the broader global market with the tools they need to create businesses that employ and lift others. An investment in an entrepreneur is an investment in potential, in making the world a better place. Each future business is pure potential – a chance to change the world for the better.
Bill Schawbel provides financial support to the organizations below through The Boston Foundation and The Schawbel Family Foundation.
Junior Achievement Worldwide
One of the world’s largest and most-impactful youth-serving NGOs, JA delivers hands on, immersive learning in work readiness, financial health, entrepreneurship, sustainability, STEM, economics, and more. Reaching more than 14 million young people each year across 115+ countries, JA Worldwide is one of the few organizations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Recently, JA Worldwide was both nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and ranked, for the fourth year in a row, as a top-ten global NGO by NGO Advisor (now known as thedotgood).
How We’re Involved
Bill Schawbel enjoys a long and successful relationship with Junior Achievement. His financial support, along with his connections to major corporations, have allowed the organization to further their mission to reach the youth of the world and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs. Bill is a founding member of the JA Worldwide Global Council, Chair of the JA Worldwide Centennial Gala, and provides advice to JA managers worldwide. His mentorships of many students through JA have allowed him to provide direct business advice that can help to ensure their bright future. Bill has also raised funds for JA Worldwide by running the Boston Marathon twice, in both 2020 and 2021.
JA Worldwide honored Bill at their Centennial Gala celebrating JA Worldwide’s 100th Anniversary. They also honored Bill with the Legacy of Leadership Award in 2022.
Junior Achievement of Greater Boston
JA has over 100 local JA branches across the nation, and together they are the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and financial choices. JA’s volunteers lead programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—which ignite the spark in young people to experience and fulfill the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.
How We’re Involved
Bill has had direct involvement with the JA of Greater Boston for 60+ years, including as a student, mentor, board advisor, and financial supporter. He is a former Chairman of the Board and has provided JA with many connections to major corporations. Bill believes it is essential to inspire and prepare young people to succeed.
JA of Greater Boston honored Bill in 2022 by creating the Innovation Center.
Center for Women and Enterprise
CWE provides education, training, technical assistance, and women’s business enterprise certification for clients representing a variety of racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
How We’re Involved
As a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of CWE, Bill managed an organization dedicated to lifting up the women who lift up the world. His ongoing financial support and role as advisor and educator on entrepreneurial business opportunities helps women business owners and aspiring women entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses by providing greater access to the resources, tools, and support they need to be successful.