Funded projects include renovations to assist in aging in place for residents with IDD, the use of artificial intelligence to detect skin cancer and an exciting homeownership pilot project for neurodiverse adults.
The Kuni Foundation awarded more than $2.5 million during the organization’s most recent round of grantmaking to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research and inclusive, affordable housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“The need for housing that meets the unique needs and preferences of people with IDD has never been greater,” said Greg Goodwin, Board Chair. “We are proud that our most recent Transformation grantees will bring more than 60 units of new and renovated IDD housing to the Pacific Northwest for our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.”
Grants totaling $1.1 million were awarded to nine organizations throughout Oregon and Washington to support housing, with projects ranging from an innovative homeownership pilot program, the use of technology to advance independence and building integrated apartment units with universal design.
2023 Transformation Grants
- Advocates for Life Skills and Opportunities (ALSO) – Oregon
- Alpha Supported Living Services – Washington
- The Arc of Spokane – Washington
- Edwards Center – Oregon
- Horizon Project – Oregon
- Olympic Neighbors – Washington
- Parkview Services – Washington
- The Arc of Grays Harbor – Washington
- Village Community Services – Washington
The foundation granted $1.4 million to support cancer research efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest. Imagination Grant recipients include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Portland and the University of Washington School of Medicine.
“We continue to hear from researchers that the Kuni Foundation’s Imagination Grants provide a boost to the exploration of catalytic new approaches to treating cancer and critical funding for early-career scientists,” said Angela Hult, Kuni Foundation president. “We’re excited by the incredible momentum and innovation occurring throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
Projects range from eliminating leukemia stem cells through a new approach; developing a prevention vaccine for lobular breast cancer; the use of AI in the detection of skin cancers; and advancing a new combination of drug therapies for the treatment of pancreatic, colon and lung cancers. These one-year grants serve as a catalyst for new research and new approaches to fight cancer.
Since 2017 the Foundation has awarded nearly $50 million to organizations throughout Oregon and Washington in service to its mission.
