FY 2025 Annual Report Highlights

This year marks a major milestone for Andy Hill CARE Fund: a decade since our founding by the Washington State Legislature and former Governor Jay Inslee. As Washington’s cancer research endowment over the past ten years, CARE Fund’s work has grown in both scope and impact. Residents of Washington can be proud that our state continues to be a national leader in support of cancer research.

From July 2024 through June 2025, CARE Fund entered a new phase where, in addition to our twice per year grantmaking opportunities, we expanded co-funding partnerships with other philanthropies. I am pleased to share several of this year’s organizational highlights:

• CARE Fund invested in co-funding partnerships with other cancer research grantmakers, including awarding a second round of Rivkin Center / CARE Fund Awards to accelerate ovarian cancer research led by Washington scientists.
• In another collaborative effort, CARE Fund partnered with Public Health – Seattle & King County, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Vapor Prevention Program on a research project to assess unmet needs related to youth vaping, smoking, cessation, and prevention. Together, we are working with communities developing local strategies for tackling these challenges.
• Through our first cycle of Implementation and Outcomes Research Grants, the CARE Board awarded over $10 million to public and private entities to translate promising research and scientific discoveries into effective interventions, tools, devices, technologies, or therapeutics related to cancer.
• CARE Fund partnered with the University of Washington, Washington State Department of Health, and community-based organizations to create an outreach and engagement plan with the goal of increasing diversity in cancer clinical trials.
• The state legislature passed legislation empowering CARE Fund’s Board of Directors to select a program administrator, enabling CARE Fund to be more nimble and effective in addressing the needs of Washington’s cancer research community.
• The Board of Directors welcomed two new Governor-appointed Board members, broadening the Board’s professional and geographic diversity to shape and strengthen CARE Fund’s future strategic direction. In addition, the Board appointed an advisory committee of individuals with nationally recognized expertise in the scientific, clinical, ethical, commercial, and regulatory aspects of cancer research, prevention, and care to develop recommendations that informed CARE Fund’s strategic plan.
• CARE Fund convened grantees and their teams to increase grantee and partner engagement, foster collaboration and spark new partnerships across the cancer research community.

The accomplishments in this report belong to a wide range of grantees, partners, advocates, and supporters. The CARE Board is deeply grateful for the dedication, creativity, and resilience of Washington’s cancer research community—true champions of science whose work echoes far beyond our state’s borders.

We are also mindful of the legacy and inspiration provided by the late State Senator Andy Hill, whose vision and commitment continue to guide our work and remind us of what is at stake.

Thank you for your commitment to this cause. Together, we are investing in hope, advancing discovery, and building a healthier future for Washington.