For Chamber Members
The Ivan K Blough training fund assists Chamber Member employees with continuing education through third-party training.
Training examples include, but are not limited to:
- In-person seminars
- Online training courses
- Certification programs, and more!
Eligibility
- Applicant must be an employee of a Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Member in good standing.
- The request must benefit the Chamber Member’s business.
- Demonstrate a history of volunteer service within the past year within the Greater Lowell area. If you are seeking additional volunteer opportunities, ask the Chamber for its list of nonprofit Members.
Please download and review the Ivan K Blough Training Fund brochure for Chamber Member employees to learn more about the application requirements, selection process, and delivery of funds.
For High School Seniors & Graduates
The Ivan K Blough Scholarship for Skilled Trades provides funding to assist young adults with vocational skill development and trade school education.
Examples of trade careers include but are not limited to:
- Agriculture
- Automotive Service Technician
- Carpentry
- Construction Management
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Hygienist
- Electrician
- Fire & EMS
- HVAC
- IT Support
- Nursing Assistant
- Pharmacy
- Police
- Plumbing
- Welding, and more!
Eligible Programs
- Two-year certificates or technical certificate programs for trade skills development will be considered.
- Four-year college programs will not be considered.
Student Eligibility
- Current Lowell Area School district seniors and graduates. This includes home school, non-traditional, and private school students within the Lowell Area School District boundaries.
- Graduates may apply for funding if they graduated within the past four years from the date of application.
- Funding is NOT determined by GPA
Please download and review the Ivan K Blough Scholarship for Skilled Trades brochure for students to learn more about the application requirements, selection process, and delivery of funds.
Download: Ivan K Blough Scholarship for Skilled Trades – Students
The Legacy
In June 2010, the Lowell community lost a beloved figure, Ivan K. Blough. To honor his legacy and passion for hands-on service and community involvement, the Greater Lowell Chamber Foundation and the Blough family established a perpetual scholarship endowment through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. This scholarship reflects Mr. Blough’s strong belief in volunteerism, aiming not only to support the next generation of skilled trade professionals but also to cultivate engaged, empathetic individuals through meaningful community service.
The Ivan K. Blough Scholarship Fund empowers community members to develop valuable career skills across various industries while gaining life experience that fosters leadership, responsibility, and personal growth. By supporting this funding program, we invest in the future of our local workforce, strengthen employee development and retention, and help to build a resilient, thriving local economy – all in the spirit of Ivan K. Blough’s enduring legacy.
