The John C & Karyl Kay Hughes Foundation focuses its resources locally in the Seattle/King County area, concentrating large gifts on community-wide social service delivery through United Way and on a faith-based congregation that centers social justice and intergenerational community work. Its grants fund both a regional fundraising/challenge campaign (the UWKC Gates Challenge) and direct support to a church that provides inclusive, justice-oriented programming, indicating a blend of place-based civic philanthropy and religiously grounded community development.
The John C & Karyl Kay Hughes Foundation repeatedly makes its largest gifts through the UWKC Gates Challenge, a multi-year commitment to United Way of King County that reached $640,000 in 2025 and appeared in 2023 and 2024 as well. That pattern places the foundation squarely in Seattle-area civic philanthropy, with a mix of challenge funding, faith-rooted community support, health care, and family stability grants. Alongside the United Way support, the foundation has backed Seattle First Baptist Church with $350,000 grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for general support and for sustaining a justice-oriented, inclusive intergenerational community. Other recurring grants point to a steady local portfolio: Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Habitat for Humanity, Union Gospel Mission, and Noah Center each appear across multiple years. The result is a funder profile built around repeated support for Seattle and King County institutions rather than one-off awards. Its grant list also includes selective support beyond core Seattle institutions, including a church endowment in Boston and a program grant to the Carter Center.
Health funding appears through repeated support for Swedish Medical Center Foundation, including $225,000 in 2025 for advancing health care in the Seattle region and similar grants in 2023 and 2024. Cancer and infectious disease research is another clear thread: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center received $200,000 in 2025 for innovative research and compassionate care to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease. In housing and family support, Habitat for Humanity in Tukwila received $180,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 for its family resource program, while Union Gospel Mission in Seattle received $170,000 in each of those years for women and children’s shelter services. Faith-based civic organizing also shows up in the $225,000 grant to Church Council of Greater Seattle for building collective power through faith-rooted community organizing.
The foundation’s typical grant size sits at $30,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $170,000 at the 75th percentile, showing a mix of mid-sized awards and larger institutional gifts. Several recipients recur across 2023 through 2025, including United Way of King County, Seattle First Baptist Church, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Habitat for Humanity, Union Gospel Mission, and Noah Center. The funder is classified as a Regular Funder, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The data provided does not show an application process or unsolicited-grant pathway.
$3.4M
$29.1M
$3M
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $30K and $170K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$30K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$170K
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Highly concentrated giving: a small number of large grants focused on repeat, multi-grant support to a few local organizations (notably multiple United Way channels and repeated grants to a single church), combining challenge/capital-style funding with operating/program support.
Notable grantees: Seattle First Baptist Church, United Way of King County, United Way (Gates Challenge / regional contributions)
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Washington, with 79% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Seattle is the main recipient city, including United Way of King County, Seattle First Baptist Church, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Union Gospel Mission. Tukwila and Stanwood also appear in the Washington grant list. Outside Washington, the recent grants include Boston and Atlanta, both at smaller counts than the Seattle-area awards. All recorded recipient-country activity is in the United States.
The grant record shows repeated support for Seattle and King County institutions working in health care, faith-based community organizing, housing and family services, and regional fundraising campaigns. Recurring recipients include United Way of King County, Seattle First Baptist Church, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Habitat for Humanity, Union Gospel Mission, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Noah Center.
Typical grant size is $30,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $170,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also shows several awards at $225,000, $350,000, and $640,000, indicating that the foundation makes a mix of mid-sized and larger institutional gifts.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including United Way of King County, Seattle First Baptist Church, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Habitat for Humanity, Union Gospel Mission, and Noah Center. That pattern indicates recurring support rather than one-time grants for many of its core partners.
Washington receives the overwhelming share of grants, with 79% going to recipients in the HQ state. Seattle is the most common recipient city in the recent grants, and additional Washington recipients include Tukwila and Stanwood. The recorded recipient-country distribution is entirely within the United States.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF KING COUNTY | SEATTLE, WA | $682,000 | 2026 | UWKC GATES CHALLENGE |
| SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | SEATTLE, WA | $400,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT A JUSTICE-ORIENTED & INCLUSIVE INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY |
| CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE | SEATTLE, WA | $260,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER THROUGH FAITH-ROOTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING |
| SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $225,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ADVANCING HEALTH CARE IN THE SEATTLE REGION |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | TUKWILA, WA | $207,000 | 2026 | FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND COMPASSIONATE CARE TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION | SEATTLE, WA | $196,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER |
| NOAH CENTER | STANWOOD, WA | $150,000 | 2026 | LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM |
| CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $133,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ALLEVIATION OF HUMAN SUFFERING |
| 1ST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST | BOSTON, MA | $125,000 | 2026 | MOTHER CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND AND GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 12TH CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICES & ACTIVITIES |
| MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $100,000 | 2026 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| CASCADE PBS | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2026 | SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING |
| SALVATION ARMY | SEATTLE, WA | $80,000 | 2026 | WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER |
| COMPANIS | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY FOSTERING SKILLED VOLUNTEER SERVICE |
| YOUTH CARE | SEATTLE, WA | $46,000 | 2026 | ORION CENTER SUPPORT |
| UPLIFT NORTHWEST | SEATTLE, WA | $46,000 | 2026 | GUIDING PEOPLE ON THEIR PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND JOB READINESS SERVICES |
| YWCA OF KING COUNTY | SEATTLE, WA | $46,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES |
| TREEHOUSE | SEATTLE, WA | $40,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING FOSTER CARE |
| ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION | SEATTLE, WA | $35,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BY ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY FOR STUDENTS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL | AMERICUS, GA | $34,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT BUILDING HOMES, COMMUNITIES AND HOPE. |
| SEEDS OF PEACE | NEW YORK, NY | $33,000 | 2026 | INT'L CAMP IN MAINE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CONSERVATION OF OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT |
| SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $29,000 | 2026 | HELP THE LIBRARY BUILD ITS COLLECTION AND RESOURCES AND OFFER PROGRAMS |
| KBTC ASSOCIATION | TACOMA, WA | $21,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE ARTISTIC, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF KBTC PUBLIC TV |
| NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | WAIMEA, HI | $18,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE AND PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES AT A REASONABLE COST |
| UNITED WAY OF SAN JUAN COUNTY | FRIDAY HARBOR, WA | $12,000 | 2026 | ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF LOCAL AGENCIES TO MEET VITAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY |
| SAN JUAN ISLAND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN ASSOCIATION | FRIDAY HARBOR, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFE AND INJURY PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION |
| UNITED WAY OF KING COUNTY | SEATTLE, WA | $640,000 | 2025 | UWKC GATES CHALLENGE |
| SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | SEATTLE, WA | $350,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT A JUSTICE-ORIENTED & INCLUSIVE INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY |
| CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE | SEATTLE, WA | $225,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER THROUGH FAITH-ROOTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING |
| SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $225,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ADVANCING HEALTH CARE IN THE SEATTLE REGION |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND COMPASSIONATE CARE TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | TUKWILA, WA | $180,000 | 2025 | FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION | SEATTLE, WA | $170,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER |
| NOAH CENTER | STANWOOD, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM |
| 1ST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST | BOSTON, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | MOTHER CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND AND GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $115,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ALLEVIATION OF HUMAN SUFFERING |
| 12TH CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICES & ACTIVITIES |
| MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| SALVATION ARMY | SEATTLE, WA | $69,000 | 2025 | WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER |
| COMPANIS | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY FOSTERING SKILLED VOLUNTEER SERVICE |
| CASCADE PBS | SEATTLE, WA | $46,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PUBLIC MEDIA SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING |
| YWCA OF KING COUNTY | SEATTLE, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES |
| UPLIFT NORTHWEST | SEATTLE, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | GUIDING PEOPLE ON THEIR PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND JOB READINESS SERVICES |
| YOUTH CARE | SEATTLE, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | ORION CENTER SUPPORT |
| TREEHOUSE | SEATTLE, WA | $35,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING FOSTER CARE |
| SEEDS OF PEACE | NEW YORK, NY | $33,000 | 2025 | INT'L CAMP IN MAINE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION | SEATTLE, WA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BY ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY FOR STUDENTS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CONSERVATION OF OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT |
SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$400,000SUPPORT A JUSTICE-ORIENTED & INCLUSIVE INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY
CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE
$260,000SUPPORT BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER THROUGH FAITH-ROOTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
SUPPORT ADVANCING HEALTH CARE IN THE SEATTLE REGION
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$207,000FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM
SUPPORT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND COMPASSIONATE CARE TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
UNION GOSPEL MISSION
$196,000SUPPORT FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER
NOAH CENTER
$150,000LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
1ST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
$125,000MOTHER CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND AND GENERAL SUPPORT
12TH CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
$100,000SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICES & ACTIVITIES
MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION
$100,000CANCER RESEARCH
CASCADE PBS
$100,000SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING
SALVATION ARMY
$80,000WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER
COMPANIS
$50,000SUPPORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY FOSTERING SKILLED VOLUNTEER SERVICE
YOUTH CARE
$46,000ORION CENTER SUPPORT
GUIDING PEOPLE ON THEIR PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND JOB READINESS SERVICES
YWCA OF KING COUNTY
$46,000SUPPORT ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
TREEHOUSE
$40,000PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING FOSTER CARE
SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BY ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY FOR STUDENTS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL
$34,000SUPPORT BUILDING HOMES, COMMUNITIES AND HOPE.
SEEDS OF PEACE
$33,000INT'L CAMP IN MAINE SCHOLARSHIPS
HELP THE LIBRARY BUILD ITS COLLECTION AND RESOURCES AND OFFER PROGRAMS
SUPPORT THE ARTISTIC, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF KBTC PUBLIC TV
NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
$18,000SUPPORT IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE AND PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES AT A REASONABLE COST
UNITED WAY OF SAN JUAN COUNTY
$12,000ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF LOCAL AGENCIES TO MEET VITAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY
SAN JUAN ISLAND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN ASSOCIATION
$5,000SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFE AND INJURY PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION
SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$350,000SUPPORT A JUSTICE-ORIENTED & INCLUSIVE INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY
CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE
$225,000SUPPORT BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER THROUGH FAITH-ROOTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
SUPPORT ADVANCING HEALTH CARE IN THE SEATTLE REGION
SUPPORT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND COMPASSIONATE CARE TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$180,000FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM
UNION GOSPEL MISSION
$170,000SUPPORT FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER
NOAH CENTER
$150,000LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
1ST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
$125,000MOTHER CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND AND GENERAL SUPPORT
12TH CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
$100,000SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICES & ACTIVITIES
MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION
$100,000CANCER RESEARCH
SALVATION ARMY
$69,000WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER
COMPANIS
$50,000SUPPORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY FOSTERING SKILLED VOLUNTEER SERVICE
CASCADE PBS
$46,000SUPPORT PUBLIC MEDIA SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING
YWCA OF KING COUNTY
$40,000SUPPORT ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
GUIDING PEOPLE ON THEIR PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND JOB READINESS SERVICES
TREEHOUSE
$35,000PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING FOSTER CARE
SEEDS OF PEACE
$33,000INT'L CAMP IN MAINE SCHOLARSHIPS
SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BY ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY FOR STUDENTS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS