Spring is just around the corner, and soon more than 1,000 students will be graduating from high schools across the Flathead Valley and embarking on the next chapter of their lives. For many local students who plan to attend college in the fall, scholarships will help close the gap in their family’s budget.
As the Flathead Valley’s home for charitable giving for 25 years, Whitefish Community Foundation helps connect donors and nonprofits to improve the quality of life for everyone living here. One of the many ways the Foundation works with donors is through the establishment of scholarship funds. Our newest scholarship fund is through a partnership with the Kiita Foundation and offers a life-changing opportunity for high-achieving Flathead Valley students who cannot rely on their family to help pay for college expenses.
Jim and Jo-Ann Armstrong started the Kiita Foundation in Phoenix after taking their software company public over 30 years ago. Since then, the Kiita Foundation has helped hundreds of students in Arizona, Colorado and Mexico reach their highest potential by providing scholarships and international service learning opportunities. Patrick Armstrong, Jim and Jo-Ann’s son, and his wife Amy round out the Kiita Foundation’s leadership team and accompany the students on service trips to Mexico.
As part-time residents of Whitefish since 1991, Jim and Jo-Ann have generously supported several local nonprofits over the years and were instrumental in building the Stumptown Ice Den. In 2023, the Armstrongs decided it was time to expand the Kiita Foundation’s scholarship program to include students from the Flathead Valley.
Offered annually, the $10,000 Kiita Foundation Scholarship is designed for financially independent graduates of Flathead Valley high schools who plan to enroll in a four-year institution within the Montana University System. In addition to receiving funding for tuition, fees and living expenses, the students are invited to participate in international service learning projects with other Kiita Foundation Scholarship recipients and alumni. The scholarship currently serves two Flathead Valley college-bound seniors annually, with plans to expand to include more students in the future. The award is renewable for up to four years and in time will help countless local students achieve a bachelor’s degree.
Scholarship recipient Brooke is a sophomore at Montana State University and has participated in three service trips to Mexico with the Kiita Foundation. Brooke has helped build housing and provide food for impoverished families. “My experiences in Mexico have opened my eyes to many valuable lessons,” Brooke said. “I feel very fortunate for the life I have and for the lives of the people I was able to help.”
If you know a college-bound student who could benefit from a scholarship, please direct them to our website for more information. April 4 is the deadline to apply for all Whitefish Community Foundation scholarships, including the Kiita Foundation Scholarship.
In addition to opening a scholarship fund at Whitefish Community Foundation, the Kiita Foundation joined our Circle of Giving because they were impressed with the collective impact of the group. The Circle of Giving is Whitefish Community Foundation’s core group of donors who give $5,000 or more annually to support the grant programs of the Foundation, including the matching funds for the Great Fish Community Challenge.
“Whitefish Community Foundation clearly has a big impact on the Flathead and surrounding areas,” Jim said. “We are glad to be a part of it.”
If you’re an individual who is interested in establishing a scholarship, opening a donor-advised fund, joining our Circle of Giving or leaving a charitable legacy in your will, Whitefish Community Foundation can help. If you’re involved with a local nonprofit, we can help you discover grant opportunities and other resources to sustain your mission. We look forward to working with you to make a difference in the Flathead Valley!
Alan Davis is the president/CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. He can be reached at alan@whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or (406) 863-1781.
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