Kuni Foundation

What Kuni Foundation does

Kuni Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, established by Wayne D. Kuni and Joan E. Kuni. The foundation operates two parallel grantmaking portfolios: cancer research funding to institutions including OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children's Hospital; and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) grants supporting housing, employment, education, arts, and advocacy organizations across Oregon and Washington. Since 2017 it has distributed more than $60 million to over 75 partner organizations.

The foundation's product portfolio consists of four primary grant programs plus an impact-investing track. Imagination Grants provide one-year, non-renewable awards up to $75,000 (IDD) and $100,000 (cancer research). Discovery Grants fund multi-institutional cancer research collaborations. Transformation Grants for IDD Housing provide up to $300,000 per year, $900,000 maximum, for affordable-housing projects. Transformation Grants for IDD Research, launched in 2024, provide up to $150,000 per year for applied IDD research. Beyond grants, the foundation makes direct impact investments (including a board seat at PDX Pharmaceuticals and a $1 million investment in Craft3) and provides low-interest loans to nonprofits developing inclusive housing. Two annual grant cycles are administered through an online application portal.

The foundation is community-led, with deep Pacific Northwest relationships built by a small professional staff of 5-10 led by President Angela Hult and Board Chair Matt Newell. Leadership has prior CSR and philanthropy experience at Cambia Health Solutions, Nike, and Wells Fargo. Revenue is generated from the foundation's endowment rather than commercial operations; endowment size is not disclosed. The foundation is intentionally geographically concentrated in Oregon and Washington and has been recognized as a 2024 UW Medicine Brotman Leadership Award honoree.

Name

Kuni Foundation

Legal name

Kuni Foundation

Website

https://www.kunifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kuni Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation based in Vancouver, Washington, that funds cancer research and accelerates inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through grants, advocacy, and impact investing across Oregon and Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Foundation Operations: Kuni Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes grants to eligible organizations. The foundation's revenue comes from its endowment and philanthropic resources. Major grants have included $50 million cancer research fund and cumulative giving exceeding $60 million since 2017 to organizations throughout Oregon and Washington.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kuni Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that distributes grants through two annual cycles (spring and fall) to Oregon and Washington nonprofits working in cancer research and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) inclusion. It funds grants (Imagination, Discovery, Transformation, and Planning), runs advocacy efforts, and executes program-related investments. Since 2017 it has awarded over $60 million to organizations in Oregon and Washington.

Product overview

The Kuni Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaking organization offering multiple interconnected grant programs across two strategic focus areas: Cancer Research and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD). The Cancer Research portfolio includes Imagination Grants (one-year grants up to $100,000) and Discovery Grants supporting collaborative multi-institutional research. The IDD portfolio includes Imagination Grants, Planning Grants, and Transformation Grants for both housing and research. Additionally, the Foundation conducts advocacy programs and impact investing initiatives. The grant programs are designed to work in concert: Imagination Grants serve as catalysts for new exploration, Transformation Grants support larger housing development and research advancement, and Planning Grants help organizations develop actionable strategies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Imagination Grants for Cancer Research One-year grants up to $100,000 serving as catalysts for new exploration in cancer research, supporting pilot programs, program creation/expansion, system improvements, equipment, technology, and data systems for cancer researchers in Oregon and Washington.
• Discovery Grants for Cancer Research Multi-institutional grants supporting cancer research projects at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, OHSU, and UW Medicine focused on detection, treatment, and improved outcomes (e.g., $5.25 million awarded in 2024 across five projects).
• Imagination Grants for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities One-year grants up to $75,000 (average $30,000) for Oregon and Washington nonprofits serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, covering employment, education, health, arts, advocacy, capital infrastructure, general operating support, equipment upgrades, assistive technology, vehicles, and housing feasibility planning.
• Imagination Planning Grants for IDD Housing Planning grants up to $75,000 supporting exploration of new inclusive housing efforts in Oregon and Washington that are affordable, scalable, and sustainable, designed to create viable action plans for project development.
• Transformation Grants for IDD Housing Multi-year grants up to $300,000 per year (maximum $900,000 over three years) for person-focused housing solutions for individuals with IDD, supporting exploration, pre-construction, construction, or development of quality affordable housing.
• Transformation Grants for IDD Research One or two-year grants up to $150,000 per year (maximum $300,000 over two years) advancing innovation in IDD research, including new therapies, improved therapies, early detection efforts, autism spectrum disorder research, and healthcare equity efforts.
• Advocacy Programs The foundation's advocacy program works to shape policies, programs, and systems that enhance quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including person-centered housing options, justice, and inclusion.
• Impact Investing Program-related investments and direct investments amplifying support for person-focused IDD housing and innovative cancer research, including investments in organizations such as Craft3 (CDFI) and PDX Pharmaceuticals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2017, awarded nearly $50 million to organizations throughout Oregon and Washington
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Housing OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Partnership with Housing Oregon (statewide association of 75 affordable housing organizations) to highlight IDD housing opportunities. Foundation sponsors five-session conference track at annual industry conference and The Kuni Foundation Award for Empowering Independence.
• OHSU Knight Cancer InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2017$7.5 million grant to launch OHSU Knight Cancer Institute's lung cancer research center and create an endowed chair. In March 2025, celebrated $20 million philanthropic milestone since 2020. OHSU is a key partner in cancer research funding.
• OHSU Knight Cancer ChallengeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2017$5 million donation to OHSU's Knight Cancer Challenge as part of a matching challenge (Phil and Penny challenged OHSU to raise $500 million with match).
• Stephen's PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2017Partnership with Stephen's Place, a supportive independent apartment community for adults with IDD. Foundation provided $559,000 grant for general operating support and Sean Kuni serves on Stephen's Place Board of Directors.
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor cancer research partner. In 2024, five Discovery grants totaling $5.25 million awarded for projects including tumor regression, immunotherapy cost reduction, breast cancer screening disparities, liver tumor detection, and personalized chemotherapy. Foundation support fills vital gap in adult oncology research.
• University of Washington Medicine / Cancer Vaccine InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research partner. Three researchers received more than $2.9 million for projects including STEMVAC vaccine for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, multi-antigen vaccine for ovarian cancer prevention, and iron oxide nanoparticle mRNA nanovaccine.
• Seattle Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$1 million Discovery grant for development of novel therapies for children with aggressive leukemia - first CAR T clinical trial of its kind in the world.
• Albertina KerrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner for IDD housing. $207,000 grant for Wynne Watts Commons universally accessible units, supporting assistive technology and universal design. Partnership includes largest net zero energy affordable housing development in Pacific Northwest.
• City of Vancouver, WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$1 million donation for inclusive playground at Fruit Valley Park. Partnership with Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department. Project honors community leader Elizabeth Austin.
• Harper's PlaygroundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner$101,000 in grants to support Vancouver's first inclusive playground at Marshall Park. Partnership with City of Vancouver for the Chelsea Anderson Play Station (CHAMPS) project.
• Mainstream HousingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner$45,000 grant to support visioning process for innovative housing solutions for individuals with IDD during life transitions. Based in Eugene, Oregon.
• Next Step StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$400,000 low-interest (3%) loan to launch WeBUILT community in Lincoln City, Oregon. Also received $800,000 no-interest loan and $20,000 grant for original WeBUILT project in Clackamas, Oregon.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Seattle Foundation: Washington-state community foundation with broad grantmaking programs. Directly comparable as a Washington-based grantmaking organization serving similar Pacific Northwest nonprofit community.
• Oregon Community Foundation: Oregon-based community foundation managing donor-advised funds and grantmaking across causes including health and human services. Directly comparable in regional grantmaking infrastructure and impact investing.
• Stupski Foundation: Mid-sized private foundation making place-based grants in the Bay Area, Hawaii, and elsewhere. Comparable scale, family-led governance, and mission-driven grantmaking across select cause areas.
• M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust: Pacific Northwest-based private foundation funding education, scientific research, and human services. Strong overlap with Kuni Foundation's cancer research grantmaking and regional Oregon/Washington focus.
• Meyer Memorial Trust: Oregon-based private foundation making grants across education, environment, health, and community in the Pacific Northwest. Closest regional peer in mission focus, geographic footprint, and grantmaking approach.
• The Ford Family Foundation: Private foundation focused primarily on rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Comparable in being a family legacy foundation with regional concentration and grant cycles serving community causes.
• William Randolph Hearst Foundation: Private family foundation making grants in education, health, and social services. Comparable in being a legacy private foundation with structured grant cycles supporting nonprofit partners.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US nonprofit funder of cancer research, including grants to research institutions. Overlaps with Kuni's cancer research grantmaking but operates at national scale with much broader program portfolio.
• Susan G. Komen Foundation: National nonprofit funding breast cancer research, screening, and treatment. Comparable as a major cancer research funder, though at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Largest US health-focused philanthropy. Overlaps with Kuni's health/cancer research grantmaking approach but operates at vastly larger scale across the full health spectrum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KuniFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kuni-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/kunifoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kuni Foundation