This fund was established in 1994 by Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, in memory of Earl R. Blank, to support research and instructional faculty in the College of Architecture.

Blank was an active member of FRSA and owned B&F Supply, Inc. of Daytona Beach, FL.

The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association was founded in 1922 to bring together contractors as well as businesses with related interests.