Fred Hutch funds 10 Washington state initiatives to expand cancer prevention

Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Community Grants Program has recently awarded 10 cancer prevention projects across Washington state up to $15,000 each, for a total of $145,500. These dollars will support community-led solutions for cancer prevention, screening and education, particularly for historically underserved populations.

Since it began in 2014, the Community Grants Program, overseen by Fred Hutch’s Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE), has awarded 71 grants totaling nearly $700,000. 

Record interest highlights growing need

This 2026-2027 grant cycle drew a record number of project proposals for the second year in a row, reflecting both a growing awareness of the program and the continued need for locally driven cancer prevention initiatives. 

The awardees come from all regions in Washington state, ranging from Whidbey Island in the west to the Spokane region in the east to the Yakama reservation in Central Washington.

The year’s funding focuses on projects designed to address socio-economic drivers of health, or SDOH, such as housing instability and transportation access. 

“When you’re worried about paying rent or finding transportation, getting a cancer screening is often the last thing on your mind,” said Katie Treend, MPH, community benefit manager for OCOE. “That’s why these projects are so important — they support cancer prevention and whole-person health by meeting people where they are at.”