Our Mission
The ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund supports the educational goals of students whose parents or guardians work for ASA member companies. By offering scholarships across all fields of study, we provide meaningful assistance to member families and strengthen the broader network that supports the commercial construction industry. Our mission is to give back to the people who help build our region and to help their dependents advance through education—wherever their ambitions lead.
Why It Matters
Investing in education helps develop tomorrow’s leaders, strengthens our workforce, and honors ASA Midwest’s commitment to excellence and community.
History & Purpose
The ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund was established on September 15, 2008, in memory of Tom Owens — a longtime ASA Midwest Council member and respected employee of Jarrell Mechanical Contractors. Created to honor his dedication to the subcontracting community, the fund began as the Tom Owens Memorial Scholarship, focused on helping students pursue construction-related education and reflecting the values he brought to the industry.
The ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, allowing contributions to be tax-deductible and ensuring that all donations are used solely to support scholarship awards. This structure strengthens the fund’s long-term sustainability and reinforces our commitment to member families.
As the needs of ASA’s membership evolved, the program expanded to better support today’s commercial construction workforce and their families. Eligibility is now limited to dependents of employees of ASA member companies, ensuring that the fund directly benefits the people who contribute to our industry every day. Recognizing that the next generation’s success can follow many paths, scholarships are now awarded across all fields of study, from trade and technical programs to business, sciences, and the arts.
While the program has grown, its purpose remains rooted in its founding spirit: to honor Tom Owens’ legacy and to support ASA member families through meaningful educational opportunities. By investing in the education of member dependents, the ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund helps strengthen families, develop future leaders, and reinforce the long-term vitality of the commercial construction industry throughout our region.
Building Brighter Futures Together
Our fundraising events play a vital role in advancing the mission of the ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund. These gatherings are more than fundraisers, they are opportunities for industry partners, students, families, and supporters to come together in community, celebrate achievement, and empower future leaders. Each activity directly contributes to scholarship dollars that help students pursue higher education and reach their full potential. Join us in making a difference, because when we invest in education, we strengthen not only individual lives but our entire industry and community.
Tax Exempt Status
ASA Midwest Council Tom Owens Memorial Scholarship Fund (dba ASA Midwest Council Scholarship Fund) is recognized as a Public Charity under code 170 (b)(1)(A)(vi) and as such is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, per the Tax Exempt Letter.