Donation Policies
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The Kiita Foundation's Board of Directors has established the following to guide in the allocation of grant resources:
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Are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization or qualifying foreign charity
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Application for consideration is by invite only, we do not accept unsolicited requests
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Demonstrate a convincing need for funding and that our donation makes a significant difference in the organization
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Update or provide a report to one or more of the Foundation Board Members annually ​​
It is important to note that The Kiita Foundation DOES NOT support the following:
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Religious Organizations (for sectarian purposes)
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Compensation through fundraising
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Endowments
Our Board of Directors
Mr. Armstrong is former chief executive officer and chairman of the board of JDA Software Group, Inc., (now Blue Yonder) which he founded in Canada in 1978. Headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ., JDA provided enterprise software solutions to the worldwide supply chain market, enabling planning, optimization, and execution of merchandising, and supply chain processes.
From 2008 through 2019, Mr. Armstrong served as managing partner of Canal Partners, a successful Scottsdale based early-stage venture capital firm.
Today, Mr. Armstrong serves as director and president of JDA Investments (US), Inc., based in Phoenix, AZ, where he is responsible for all aspects of the company, including identification of potential investments, due diligence, financial analysis, and final investment decision-making. In addition, he has served on a wide range of boards and companies including Omnilink, NetTime Solutions, WebPt, Allbound and the Canadian retailer Mark’s Work Wearhouse.
Mr. Armstrong is involved with a number of charitable endeavors. He is president and chairman of the Kiita Foundation and chairman 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, National Society of Fundraising Executive Spirit of Philanthropy Award and Arizona Technology Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Armstrong is the author of “Going Down the Road”, a memoir.
Jim Armstrong
President
Jo-Ann Armstrong, in addition to raising four children, was instrumental in the development of JDA Software in its early years. She has served, through the family’s foundation, in a variety of philanthropic endeavors, including board Secretary of a Salvation Army advisory board, a board member of ASU’s ACES program, and has received many awards, such as the Paradise Valley Volunteer of the Year, ASU’s Outstanding Community Partner for her work with the Service Learning Program (ACES), and the 2002 Sally Award from the Salvation Army. She was also a member of ASU’s Women and Philanthropy. She currently serves on the board of the Kiita Foundation.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong grew up in the mining town of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Jo-Ann Armstrong
Vice President
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.
Patrick Armstrong
Treasurer
Amy is the CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona, where she has been a partner for 15 years. She is also the founder of Next Generation Philanthropists and Support My Club, two Arizona-based nonprofit organizations. In addition to her role as President of both, she serves as the Director and Grant Coordinator for the Kiita Foundation and a Grant Advisor of the Armstrong Family Foundation. As an active philanthropist in the community, she serves on several boards and governance committees. She dedicates time to serving ASU students with foster care backgrounds and recently was co-chair of the ASU President’s Club.
Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a B.A. in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Colorado, and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard. Along with her husband Patrick, she is the parent to Emily and Taylor and enjoys traveling the world as a family.
Amy Armstrong
Secretary
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 received an accreditation from the American Montessori Society as a lower elementary teacher.
Alison Silver
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