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Armstrong Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
Up to $20.0M00
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $622,700 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies by recipient
  • Geographic Focus: Albany, NY; Naples, FL; Connecticut; Colorado
  • Total Assets: $36.1 million (2023)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: Armstrong Foundation c/o Ayco Co P.O. Box 15014 Albany, NY 12212

Note: This is a private family foundation with no public website or email contact. Direct unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Overview

The Armstrong Foundation Inc. was established in 2015 (IRS ruling year) as a private family foundation led by C. Michael Armstrong, former Chairman and CEO of AT&T and Comcast, and his wife Sarah Anne Armstrong. With assets of $36.1 million as of 2023, the foundation distributed $622,700 in charitable grants during that year. The Armstrongs' philanthropic priorities reflect C. Michael's professional background and personal interests, with a strong emphasis on medical research, higher education (particularly their alma maters), arts and culture, and community health organizations in their residence areas of Connecticut, Colorado, and Florida. The foundation operates exclusively through trustee-directed grantmaking to preselected organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Armstrong Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified or with which they have established relationships.

Recent Annual Grantmaking:

  • 2023: $622,700
  • 2022: $622,700
  • 2021: $1,137,550
  • 2020: $1,744,260

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns, the foundation's funding priorities include:

Education & Youth Development:

  • Johns Hopkins University (major multi-million dollar commitments totaling over $50 million)
  • Miami University (approximately $25 million over ten years)
  • University of Vermont
  • Waterside School
  • Prep for Prep
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Teach for America

Health & Medical Research:

  • Johns Hopkins medical research and education (including $10 million for Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality)
  • Stamford Hospital Foundation
  • Telluride Medical Center Foundation
  • Lyme Research Alliance
  • Neighborhood Health Clinic (Naples, FL)

Arts & Culture:

  • Artis-Naples (C. Michael serves on the board)
  • Naples Botanical Garden
  • Silvermine Arts Center

Human Services:

  • Harry Chapin Food Bank
  • Doctors Without Borders
  • People for Guatemala

Religious Organizations:

  • Naples United Church of Christ (significant ongoing support)

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their grantmaking pattern shows:

  • No grants to organizations outside their established geographic focus areas (Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, particularly Albany/Naples)
  • No support for organizations without a prior relationship or board connection
  • Focus on established institutions rather than startup organizations

Governance and Leadership

C. Michael Armstrong - President

  • Former Chairman and CEO of AT&T and Comcast
  • 31-year career with IBM, rising to Chairman of the Board of IBM World Trade Corporation
  • Former Chairman and CEO of Hughes Electronics Corporation
  • Served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Health System, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital (2005-2011, 2012-2013)
  • Miami University graduate (1961, B.A. in Business and Economics)
  • Currently serves on boards of: Artis-Naples, Neighborhood Health Clinic (Naples), Telluride Foundation, and Miami University
  • Unpaid volunteer position (1 hour/week reported)

Sarah Anne Armstrong - Secretary

  • Active partner in the family's philanthropic endeavors
  • Co-donor on major gifts to Johns Hopkins and Miami University
  • Unpaid volunteer position (1 hour/week reported)

Julie Deery - Treasurer

  • Manages financial operations of the foundation
  • Unpaid volunteer position (1 hour/week reported)

The foundation is administered through Ayco Company in Albany, NY, which handles the operational aspects of the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to their Form 990 filings, the Armstrong Foundation makes "grants only to preselected organizations." This means they do not accept unsolicited grant proposals from organizations with which they do not already have a relationship.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and initiative
  • Board connections and relationships
  • Organizations where trustees serve in leadership roles
  • Long-standing institutional relationships

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a rolling basis as trustees identify organizations to support rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as the foundation does not accept them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation's grantmaking is relationship-driven rather than application-based.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following insights about their giving patterns may be helpful:

Board Connections Are Critical: C. Michael Armstrong's board service directly correlates with foundation support. Organizations where he serves or has served in leadership roles receive substantial support (Johns Hopkins, Artis-Naples, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Miami University).

Long-Term Relationship Building: The foundation demonstrates multi-year commitment to institutions. Johns Hopkins has received over $50 million over multiple years; Miami University received approximately $25 million over a decade. This suggests the Armstrongs prefer sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

Geographic Ties: Primary focus areas align with the Armstrongs' personal connections:

  • Albany, NY (foundation's administrative base)
  • Naples, FL (primary residence)
  • Connecticut (former residence)
  • Colorado/Telluride (vacation home/personal interest area)

Funding Priorities Reflect Professional Background: C. Michael's career in telecommunications and technology, combined with his governance role at Johns Hopkins, shapes giving priorities. Medical research, patient safety, and educational technology programs receive significant attention.

Strategic Institutional Gifts: The foundation has made transformational gifts to major institutions:

  • $20 million for Anne and Mike Armstrong Medical Education Building at Johns Hopkins
  • $10 million for Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality
  • Support for Armstrong Student Center and Armstrong Interactive Media Studies at Miami University

These major gifts focus on capital projects and endowments that bear the Armstrong name, suggesting interest in legacy-building contributions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals. They identify and select all grantees proactively.

  • Board connections are essential: Organizations have the best chance of receiving support if they have a relationship with C. Michael Armstrong through his board service or professional networks.

  • Focus on established institutions: The foundation strongly favors well-established universities, medical institutions, and cultural organizations over smaller or newer nonprofits.

  • Multi-year commitments: The Armstrongs demonstrate preference for sustained, long-term relationships with major institutional partners rather than one-time grants to many organizations.

  • Geographic specificity: Grants concentrate in Albany (NY), Naples (FL), Connecticut, and Colorado - areas with personal significance to the Armstrong family.

  • Alignment with professional background: Organizations working in healthcare, medical research, higher education, and technology-enabled education align with C. Michael's career expertise and interests.

  • Relationship-building approach: For organizations seeking to be noticed, the pathway would involve connecting with the Armstrongs through shared board service, community involvement in Naples or Albany, or introductions through mutual professional contacts - though success is not guaranteed even with these connections.

References

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