LOUDOUN, Va.–Northwest Federal Credit Union is donating $10 million to the planned Children’s Science Center in northern Virginia, for which it will now have the lead in naming rights.
The funds will go toward the creation of the $75 million museum, which is planned to be built in 2021 in the Kincora development near the intersection of Rt. 28 and Rt. 7 as an extension of the Science Museum of Virginia.
The contribution means the center now has 85% of the funds it needs for construction, with the Loudoun Board of Supervisors unanimously approving another $15 million for the project, according to LoudounNow.com.
A ‘Win-Win’
“I have special memories of taking my children to science centers, where their curiosity for the world around them was ignited,” said Jeff Bentley, president and CEO of Northwest FCU. “I also recall the fun entire families shared together. The new Northern Virginia science center will fill a tremendous need in our community, and Northwest Federal Credit Union is proud to be a significant part of that. This partnership embodies Northwest's Why Statement, ‘Together, we serve and inspire to transform lives.’ I can think of nothing more transformational than an investment in education and families.”
According to the report, Bentley also encouraged those present for the announcement of the $10 million donation to join the credit union and challenged other CEOs and business leaders to support the project.
Next steps for the project include design for both the building and the exhibits, branding work which will ultimately name the science center and continued private fundraising.