The endowment was established in 1996 by the New Car Dealers Association of BC in honour of Julia Blockberger’s 28 years of support of their organisation, including 12 years as show manager of the Vancouver International Auto Show. It funds an annual Graduating Achievement Award for students in the BCIT Marketing Tourism program.

There is no application process for graduating achievement awards, as recipients are selected by BCIT faculty based on a combination of high academic achievement, leadership, service, and best all-round performance in their final year of studies.

The Julia Blockberger Grant awards are presented at a formal BCIT awards ceremony each June.