BELLINGHAM — Peoples Bank has donated $25,000 to the Bellingham Technical College Foundation to establish the Peoples Bank Endowed Scholarship, creating a lasting source of financial support for BTC students pursuing technical education and workforce careers.
The endowed scholarship fund will support students in perpetuity. Unlike annual scholarships, endowed scholarships are invested, with the principal remaining intact while a portion of the investment earnings is awarded to students each year. According to the BTC Foundation, endowed scholarships provide a permanent legacy of support, with annual distributions helping students achieve their educational goals for generations to come.
The gift reflects Peoples Bank’s long-standing commitment to education and workforce development throughout Northwest Washington. In addition to the new BTC endowment, Peoples Bank has established scholarship programs at Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College, helping expand access to higher education across the region.
The scholarship was championed by Peoples Bank Commercial Banking Officer and BTC Foundation Board President, Tiffany Blair, who has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2021. After serving as vice president from 2022 to 2024, Blair became board president in 2024 and has played a key role in advancing philanthropic support for BTC students.
“At Peoples Bank, we believe investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our communities,” said Tiffany. “Many of our employees are graduates of Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College, and Whatcom Community College. Supporting students today helps develop the skilled workforce our region will rely on tomorrow.”
The Bellingham Technical College Foundation awards more than $1 million in scholarships annually to help students overcome financial barriers and complete their education. During the 2025-26 academic year, the Foundation awarded a record $1.46 million in scholarships to 590 students. Research conducted by BTC found that scholarship recipients are more likely to persist in their studies and graduate than students without scholarship support.
BTC serves more than 4,400 students and prepares graduates for careers in high-demand fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, and transportation-related industries. The college reported an 84% job placement rate within nine months of graduation.
To learn more about Peoples Bank’s community giving programs, visit www.peoplesbank-wa.com/giving.
About Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated independent full-service community bank with $2.4 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Peoples Bank has been serving the community for 100 years and operates 23 locations throughout Washington. Reflecting its strong financial management practices, dedicated employees, and long-standing customer relationships, Peoples Bank was awarded a superior five-star rating from BauerFinancial, a leading independent bank rating firm. Learn more about Peoples Bank at www.peoplesbank-wa.com.