The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch), in collaboration with the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium, has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for its Community Grants Program. The program is designed to support community-based organizations, non-profits, local health departments, community clinics, and Tribes located in Washington State (WA). The funding aims to address and improve social determinants of health, with a focus on underrepresented communities in Washington.

The application process is competitive, and Fred Hutch intends to fund up to ten grants, with each award providing up to $15,000 in total costs for one year. This funding is meant to support projects that align with the 2022-2025 Community Benefit Implementation Plan priority areas, including Advancing Health Equity, Culturally Relevant Prevention, Education, and Screening, and Accessible, High-Quality Comprehensive Care. Proposals that also address specific priority populations—such as American Indian/Alaska Native populations, Black/African Descent populations, and residents of high-priority rural counties—will receive additional consideration.

Applicants must submit a complete application by 12:00 PM PST on Friday, February 28, 2025. The application must include a cover letter, organization summary, project proposal, budget, and letter of support. The project period is from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and the funding process does not guarantee subsequent years of funding. The final award decisions will be communicated by March 17, 2025.

Applications should specifically address one or more of the funding priorities outlined in the RFA, and be clear on how the proposed project will contribute to addressing health disparities within the target communities. The project should also outline SMART goals and objectives, clearly describe the methods for project implementation, and include a plan for evaluating its impact.

An informational session will be held on January 17, 2025, to answer potential applicants' questions. Additionally, applicants can request a grant-writing mentor by February 3, 2025, to assist in the development of their proposals. Award recipients will be required to submit a final report within 30 days of completing the funding period, detailing their project’s background, methodology, and evaluation outcomes.