It is the hope of the Directors that the Foundations serve as examples of the type of charitable support organizations that can grow out of the small entrepreneurial businesses that have become incredibly successful over the last 30+ years. America provides a unique opportunity for those willing to take a risk to create and grow small innovative companies. When successful, these companies often bring significant increases in net worth for their founders and key executives. The Directors of the Foundation believe such entrepreneurs have a moral responsibility to apply their talents, creativity and drive to the not for profit arena for the benefit of others.

The Foundations’ Board of Directors attempts, through example, to encourage successful men and women to share their good fortune, talent and dedication to those in need. The Foundations’ fundamental belief is that far more is received from giving and sharing entrepreneurial success than the cost required to provide it.

Since 1996 the combined foundations have donated over
$20 MILLION
TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS IN ARIZONA, MONTANA AND COLORADO
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Armstrong Family Foundation Board of Directors &
KIITA Foundation Board of Directors


Jim Armstrong

Grant Advisor for Armstrong Family Foundation & President of The Kiita Foundation

Jim Armstrong is Managing Partner of Canal Partners. In this role Mr. Armstrong is responsible for all aspects of the company including identification of potential acquisition targets, due diligence, financial analysis and final investment decision making.

Mr. Armstrong is former chairman of the board of JDA Software Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: JDAS), which he founded in Canada in 1978. Headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, JDA Software Group, Inc. provides enterprise software solutions to the world-wide supply chain market, enabling planning, optimization, and execution of merchandising and supply chain processes. Mr. Armstrong served as Chief Executive Officer of JDA Software from 1985 to 1997 and again from 1999 to 2003.

Mr. Armstrong serves on a wide range of boards and foundations. In addition to previously serving as chairman of the board for JDA Software Group, Inc., he is a Director and President of JDA Investments (US), Inc.; and serves on the board of directors for a variety of software companies. He is President and Chairman of the Armstrong Family Foundation, President and Chairman of the Kiita Foundation, and Director of the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation. He has received numerous awards and honors including Arizona Software Association Business Leader of the Year, Ernst and Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst and Young Spirit of Philanthropy Award, Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Award, and National Society of Fundraising Executives Spirit of Philanthropy Award.


Jo-Ann Armstrong

Jo-Ann Armstrong

Grant Advisor for Armstrong Family Foundation & Vice-President of The Kiita Foundation

Jo-Ann has a wealth of experience with many years working in the philanthropic world. Many activities have included numerous roles in clubs and organizations around the Valley.

Jo-Ann is an Emeritus Board Member of the Salvation Army Southwest Division from which she received the Sally Award for Outstanding Community Service.  She meets with grantees and visits non-profit locations.

With the Foundation's emphasis on education, Jo-Ann manages and coordinates special events. Having direct contact with organizations supported by the Foundation is an important part of helping serve the needs and making a difference in changed lives.

The Armstrong family moved to Paradise Valley from Calgary, Canada in 1987.  Jo-Ann and Jim raised their four children with the same values and belief system in giving back to the community. All four children have gone on to devote time to their philanthropic passions.


 
Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong

Grant Advisor for Armstrong Family Foundation & Treasurer of The Kiita Foundation

Patrick Armstrong is President at JDA Investments (US), Inc. In this role Mr. Armstrong is responsible for evaluating potential investments, performing industry and financial analysis, due diligence, final investment decision making, and providing additional support for internal operations and portfolio investments.

Mr. Armstrong is formerly a Partner at Canal Partners, a Venture Capital firm based in Scottsdale, AZ that focused on B2B enterprise Software-as-a-Service companies. Prior to his role at JDA Investments, Mr. Armstrong founded and operated Armstrong IT Services which acted as an Information Technology consultant for several small and medium-sized companies with focuses on healthcare, digital media, accounting, education, and IT Services. Prior to that, Mr. Armstrong was a Support Specialist at Sungard Availability Systems. He began his career in the Information Technology Services department at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In addition to his role as Treasurer of the Kiita Foundation, Mr. Armstrong is a Member of Arizona Tech Investors, is a member of Social Venture Partners of Arizona (former Board Member/Chair), and serves on the Board of Directors for the Rancho Feliz Charitable Organization. Additionally, he serves on the Board for Bloom365 (current Chair), and is a former Board Member / Chair of SEED SPOT. Along with his wife, Amy Armstrong, serves on the Grant Committee for Next Generation Philanthropists, which provides programs and experiences that promote lifelong engagement and philanthropy.

Mr. Armstrong earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Certificate of Business Excellence from the University of California at Berkeley, and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. He has 2 children and resides in Phoenix, AZ.


Amy Armstrong

Amy Armstrong

Secretary of Kiita Foundation

An Arizona native, Amy is the founder of Next Generation Philanthropists and Support My Club; two Arizona based non-profit organizations and serves as the Director and Grant Coordinator for the Kiita Foundation. She is also an CEO of of Social Venture Partners Arizona, a former board member of Feeding Matters and Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, and a former Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army.

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Art Institute of Colorado in Interior Design. After several years as in the design industry in Colorado, she and her family moved back to Arizona in 2008 where she began following in the footsteps of her in-laws, beginning her philanthropic career here in the Valley.

Along with her husband Patrick, she is the parent to 2 children and enjoys being involved at their schools as well as in their favorite hobbies.


Alison Armstrong

Alison Armstrong-Silver

Board of Directors of The Kiita Foundation

Alison has been on the foundation board since it was first established.  She was a Service Learning Tutor, and Leadership Intern at the South Mountain Salvation Army while studying at ASU.  This lead to the family involvement throughout the years.  Alison has a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.A.E in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University.  Alison has always had a passion for education.  Her twins were born prematurely, which has opened her to the importance of early childhood intervention.  She is currently receiving an accreditation from the American Montessori Society as a lower elementary teacher.  She currently lives in Denver with her husband and 4 children.



Donation Policies

The Armstrong Family Foundation and the Kiita Foundation have established the following policies to guide in the allocation of grant resources:

The foundation supports organizations that:

  • • Adhere to the principles of the foundation
  • • Are U.S.-based 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Charitable or Educational Institutions
  • • Demonstrate a convincing need for funding
  • • Show that the funding will make a significant difference in the lives of those served
  • • Show that the funds will be used for a specific need, problem or issue

In addition the Board takes into account the financial condition of the applicant, the portion of total annual expenses spent directly on charitable programs, the cost to raise $100 from the general public and the ratio of organizations annual operating expenses to net assets.

It is important to note that the AFF does NOT normally support the following types of organizations:

  • • Sports & Arts unrelated to K-12 education
  • • Religious Organizations (for sectarian purposes)
  • • Non-Educational Organizations receiving a significant portion of their funding from Governmental Agencies or the United Way
  • • Compensation for professional fund-raising