2025 Annual Report
Each year, Hanford Challenge shares what we accomplished together. We highlight the impact of our program and legal work, the progress we made with partners and communities, and the resources that made this work possible.
This Annual Report reflects the successes your support fueled over the past year. It includes major advances in our legal advocacy and whistleblower protection efforts, as well as the growing reach of our public education, Tribal partnerships, and community-centered programs. These achievements show the strength of a community committed to transparency, accountability, and justice at the Hanford Nuclear Site.
We are also transparent with how we are funded and where our money is spent. Inside, you will find a detailed breakdown of how contributions were used, including the percentage spent on program work, administration, and fundraising. We are proud to operate with low administrative and fundraising costs, which ensures that the vast majority of our resources directly support workers, communities, and the environment.
We also look ahead to the challenges facing the Hanford cleanup. Federal budget instability, long-term waste risks, and gaps in oversight continue to shape the work before us. Meeting these challenges will require sustained advocacy, deeper partnerships, and continued investment in independent watchdog efforts.
Thank you for standing with us. Your commitment fuels courageous action, trusted oversight, and a safer future for generations to come.
Past Reports
2024 Annual Report
2024 was a year of significant growth and renewed urgency for Hanford Challenge. The organization advanced major program and legal initiatives focused on worker safety, contractor accountability, and transparent decision‑making at the Hanford Site. Whistleblower support remained a core strength, with several cases highlighting ongoing risks and the need for stronger protections. Public education efforts expanded through new outreach campaigns, community events, and partnerships that brought Hanford issues to broader regional and national audiences. Financial reporting showed strong donor support and continued low administrative and fundraising costs, ensuring that most resources directly supported program and legal work. The report also identified critical challenges ahead, including federal budget instability, accelerated cleanup timelines, and persistent gaps in oversight that will require sustained advocacy and community engagement in 2025.
2023 Annual Report
2023 was a year of major momentum for Hanford Challenge. We deepened our role as a leading independent watchdog at the Hanford Site, advancing significant legal advocacy to protect workers and strengthen accountability across federal and contractor systems. Public engagement surged, driven by new educational initiatives, expanded digital outreach, and collaborations that brought Hanford’s story to broader audiences. Partnerships with Tribal Nations continued to grow, centering cultural knowledge and sovereignty in cleanup conversations. Financial reporting showed strong donor support and continued low administrative and fundraising costs, ensuring that most resources directly supported program and legal work. The report also identified key challenges ahead, including federal oversight gaps, long‑term waste risks, and the need for sustained advocacy as cleanup decisions accelerated.
2022 Annual Report
2022 was a year of significant progress in worker protection, legal advocacy, and public engagement at the Hanford Site. Hanford Challenge supported multiple whistleblowers, advanced key legal cases involving safety and contractor accountability, and provided trusted guidance to workers navigating retaliation and hazardous conditions. Program work expanded through new partnerships, increased community outreach, and broader public education efforts focused on cleanup risks and long‑term stewardship. Financial reporting showed strong donor support and continued low administrative and fundraising costs, ensuring that most resources directly supported program and legal work. The report also identified major challenges ahead, including federal budget uncertainty, long‑term waste storage risks, and the need for stronger oversight and transparency as cleanup decisions accelerated.
2021 Annual Report
2021 was a year of rebuilding momentum and strengthening community trust after the disruptions of the pandemic. Hanford Challenge expanded its worker‑centered advocacy, supported several whistleblowers navigating retaliation and safety concerns, and advanced legal strategies aimed at improving transparency and accountability at the Hanford Site. Public education efforts grew through virtual events and new outreach materials, and partnerships with Tribal Nations deepened through collaborative engagement on cleanup priorities. Financial reporting showed strong donor support and continued low administrative and fundraising costs, ensuring that most resources directly supported program and legal work. The report also identified ongoing challenges, including federal budget uncertainty, long‑term waste risks, and the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.
2020 Annual Report
2020 was Hanford Challenge’s first Annual Report and a defining year for establishing the organization’s identity and direction. As the COVID‑19 pandemic reshaped working conditions across the Hanford Site, Hanford Challenge focused on providing clear guidance to workers navigating new safety risks, inconsistent protections, and rapidly changing contractor policies. The organization supported several early whistleblower cases, laying the groundwork for a legal advocacy model that would grow significantly in later years. Program work centered on building public understanding of Hanford’s cleanup challenges through virtual events, updated educational materials, and expanded digital outreach. Hanford Challenge also strengthened relationships with community partners, setting the stage for deeper collaboration in subsequent years. Financial reporting highlighted strong early donor support and a commitment to directing resources toward mission‑driven work. The report also identified emerging challenges, including pandemic‑related disruptions, gaps in federal oversight, and long‑term waste risks that would shape the organization’s priorities moving forward.