Kuni Foundation Awards 36 Imagination Grants to Advance Innovation and Inclusion in Oregon and Washington

Funded projects include immunotherapeutic hydrogel for pancreatic cancer treatment, advancing precision radiotherapy for tumors, program expansion for neurodiverse artists and planning for a new IDD housing model.

The Kuni Foundation awarded nearly $1.9 million during the organization’s most recent round of Imagination Grants, doubling the amount awarded in 2022. The 36 grants include catalytic cancer research exploration and efforts that advance opportunity and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The Kuni Foundation awarded $400,000 to 16 organizations throughout Oregon and Washington supporting the IDD community. Projects include autism navigation services, an early learning feasibility study, planning an inclusive housing community, expanding a nationally recognized art studio and making outdoor recreation accessible to all.

2023 Imagination Grants – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Twenty cancer research projects throughout the Pacific Northwest received a boost of $1,498,053 representing work occurring at Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Portland and the University of Washington School of Medicine. Projects range from screenings for esophageal cancer, destabilizing cancer stem cells to reduce tumor recurrence, obtaining the molecular fingerprint of a cancer cell’s metastatic machinery to advancing precision oncology for rare pancreatic cancer adenosquamous carcinomas. 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.

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