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AbbVie Foundation

Annual Giving
$39.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $10.6M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
20%

AbbVie Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $39.2 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation/partnership-based model)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (8-week accelerator program)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $10.6 million
  • Average Grant: $496,254
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: U.S.-focused with select international partnerships
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 1 N Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064-1802

Website: https://www.abbvie.com/sustainability/abbvie-foundation.html

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Interested organizations can provide contact information on their website for notification of future partnership opportunities.

Overview

Established in 2013 following AbbVie's separation from Abbott Laboratories, the AbbVie Foundation has distributed $283 million in grants to more than 265 organizations over its history. The Foundation focuses on advancing health equity and strengthening access to community-centered care, with particular emphasis on underserved and economically disadvantaged populations. In 2023, the Foundation awarded 79 grants totaling $39.2 million. A strategic shift has occurred in recent years from global health initiatives toward concentrated efforts on health equity in the U.S., particularly addressing disparities affecting Black and other marginalized communities. In 2020, AbbVie launched a landmark $50 million, five-year commitment to advance health and education equity in underserved Black communities through six major nonprofit partnerships. The Foundation partners with community-based organizations deeply rooted in local communities, empowering them to develop innovative solutions that address critical health disparities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Strategic Partnerships ($1 million - $10 million, multi-year commitments)

  • Invitation-only partnerships with established national nonprofits
  • Focus on health equity, education, and workforce development
  • Multi-year funding commitments for systemic change initiatives

AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator (Partnership with MATTER)

  • Annual cohort program selecting up to 5 community-based organizations
  • Each participant receives $10,000 stipend for 8-week accelerator program
  • One winner receives additional $50,000 unrestricted grant
  • Application window: September - October (when active)
  • Focus on innovative community-led solutions addressing health disparities

Employee Resource Group (ERG) Grants ($700,000 annually)

  • $100,000 allocated to each ERG annually
  • ERGs select nonprofits aligned with Foundation mission
  • Focus on advancing health equity
  • Not available through external application process

Employee Matching Gift Program

  • 3-to-1 matching for donations to civil rights nonprofits fostering racial equity
  • $3.5 million allocated for this program

Priority Areas

Health Equity and Access

  • Reducing health disparities in underserved communities
  • Improving access to community-centered healthcare
  • Addressing social determinants of health
  • Supporting community health centers, free clinics, and FQHCs
  • Innovative care delivery models (telehealth, mobile clinics, integrated services)

Education and Workforce Development

  • Healthcare workforce diversity initiatives
  • Youth mentorship programs (ages 11-18)
  • College access and completion support
  • Training and internship programs for young adults
  • Pathways to health professions careers

Community Development

  • Supporting community-based organizations in areas where AbbVie operates
  • Programs serving economically disadvantaged populations
  • Disaster relief and humanitarian aid
  • Infrastructure strengthening for nonprofit partners

Special Focus Populations

  • Black communities experiencing health inequities
  • Hispanic/Latinx populations
  • Low-income individuals and families
  • Communities with limited healthcare access

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus suggests they do not typically fund:

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status (Code 509(a))
  • Individual scholarships (except through partner programs like UNCF)
  • Political or lobbying activities
  • Single-beneficiary organizations
  • Projects outside their strategic focus areas of health equity, education, and community development

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership:

  • President: The Foundation has been led by senior AbbVie executives responsible for corporate responsibility and ESG initiatives. Recent leadership has transitioned between roles.

  • Board Member: Tracie Haas serves on the AbbVie Foundation Board of Directors and previously served as President of the AbbVie Foundation, leading the creation and growth of AbbVie's philanthropic programs and overseeing over $650 million in global donations since AbbVie's inception in 2013.

Key Quote from Leadership:

Tracie Haas, discussing the Foundation's $50 million racial equity commitment, stated: "We've heard the call and took action – first to listen closely, then partner with nonprofits who are experts at driving change."

This quote encapsulates the Foundation's partnership philosophy: listening to community needs and empowering expert organizations rather than dictating solutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The AbbVie Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation operates primarily through:

  1. Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation identifies and invites established national and regional nonprofits to participate in multi-year funding partnerships. These decisions are made at the board/leadership level based on strategic alignment with Foundation priorities.

  2. Competitive Accelerator Program: The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator (partnership with MATTER) has periodic application windows. When active:

    • Applications open in early September
    • Deadline typically in late October
    • Online application process through MATTER platform
    • Up to 5 organizations selected for cohort

  3. Employee Resource Group Grants: Internal process where AbbVie ERGs select nonprofit partners (not accessible through external application).

  4. Interested Organizations: Can provide contact information through the AbbVie Foundation website to be notified if partnership opportunities arise.

Accelerator Program Eligibility (when applications are open):

  • 18 years of age or older representing the organization
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S.
  • Public charity classification under Code 509(a)
  • Organization in good standing
  • Strong leadership team with proven success and relevant expertise
  • Reasonable financial health and stability
  • Clear plan for achieving financial sustainability

Selection Criteria for Partnerships: Organizations are evaluated based on:

  • Program focus aligned with Foundation priorities
  • Developmental stage and organizational capacity
  • Project reach and scalability potential
  • Demonstrated community impact
  • Deep roots in communities served
  • Track record of driving systemic change

Decision Timeline

Accelerator Program (when active):

  • Applications: September - late October
  • Selection notifications: November
  • 8-week accelerator program: Winter/Spring
  • Final grant recipient announced: Following spring (e.g., May)

Strategic Partnerships:

  • Timeline varies significantly
  • Multi-year commitments announced periodically
  • Decision processes not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish application success rates. Given the invitation-based and highly selective model:

  • The Foundation awarded 79 grants in 2023 to organizations from a pool of 265+ total grantees since inception
  • The Accelerator Program selects 5 organizations from applicant pool (success rate varies by year)
  • One organization from the 5-participant accelerator cohort receives the $50,000 grand prize (20% of participants)

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for most programs given the invitation-based model. For the Accelerator Program, unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future cycles when applications reopen.

Application Success Factors

Since the AbbVie Foundation operates primarily through invited partnerships rather than open applications, organizations should focus on these factors:

For Strategic Visibility:

  1. Deep Community Roots and Trust: The Foundation explicitly seeks "nonprofit organizations deeply rooted in local communities." Organizations should demonstrate long-standing community presence, trust, and relationships with the populations served.

  2. Evidence of Health Equity Impact: Given the Foundation's strategic focus shift toward U.S. health equity, organizations must show concrete outcomes in reducing health disparities, particularly for Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and economically disadvantaged populations.

  3. Innovative Approaches to Care Delivery: The Foundation values organizations "innovatively rethinking the delivery, space and place of care." Examples from recent grantees include:

    • Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico's "Food as Medicine" program combining food access with basic health services for older adults
    • Integrated models addressing social determinants of health alongside clinical care

  4. Scalability and Sustainability: Evaluation criteria emphasize "project reach and scalability" and "financial sustainability." The Foundation seeks solutions that can grow beyond initial implementation.

  5. Strong Leadership and Proven Expertise: Organizations must demonstrate "strong leadership team with proven success and relevant expertise" in their focus areas.

For Accelerator Program Applications (when available):

  1. Community-Led Solutions: The program seeks "community-led solutions to address health disparities." Solutions should originate from and be designed by the communities experiencing the disparities.

  2. Addressing Access Barriers: Focus on "communities with limited access to healthcare services" through innovative delivery models (mobile clinics, telehealth integration, co-location with community services).

  3. Partnership Philosophy Alignment: Tracie Haas's quote emphasizes the Foundation's approach: "listen closely, then partner with nonprofits who are experts at driving change." Organizations should position themselves as experts leading solutions, not recipients needing direction.

Examples of Funded Work:

  • Direct Relief's Fund for Health Equity: Awarded 30 grants to community health centers addressing social determinants of health; served over 14,000 patients (46% Black, 31% Hispanic/Latinx)
  • UNCF Healthcare Diversity Workforce Program: Awarded scholarships and support to 800+ students; established partnerships with 85 institutions of higher learning
  • Year Up: Served close to 5,200 young adults across Boston, Bay Area, Chicago, and New York/New Jersey with training and internship programs
  • University of Chicago Medicine's Urban Health Initiative: $8 million to advance health equity on Chicago's South Side (77% Black residents)
  • National Urban League's Project Ready Mentor: $7 million for mentorship program targeting 11-18-year-old African American and urban youth

Language and Terminology to Use:

  • Health equity (not just health outcomes)
  • Community-centered care
  • Addressing social determinants of health
  • Systemic barriers and systemic change
  • Underserved and marginalized communities
  • Workforce diversity in healthcare
  • Community-led solutions
  • Scalable impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: The Foundation operates through invited strategic partnerships and periodic competitive programs like the Health Equity Accelerator. Focus on building organizational visibility and reputation in health equity work rather than submitting cold applications.

  • Multi-year, substantial commitments: The Foundation makes significant investments ($1-10 million over multiple years) in select partners. Grant sizes vary dramatically from $5,000 (likely employee matching gifts) to $10.6 million, with median grants of $25,000 and average grants of $496,254.

  • Health equity is the unifying theme: Since the strategic shift around 2020, virtually all funding connects to reducing health disparities, particularly for Black and marginalized communities. Projects must demonstrate clear health equity impact.

  • Community roots matter more than scale alone: The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations "deeply rooted in local communities" and values community-led solutions. Being locally trusted is more important than being nationally recognized.

  • Innovation in care delivery is valued: The Foundation supports organizations rethinking where and how care is delivered—examples include food-as-medicine programs, mobile clinics, and integrated social services with healthcare.

  • Watch for Accelerator opportunities: The Health Equity Accelerator represents the most accessible pathway for community-based organizations. Monitor MATTER's website and the Foundation's announcements for application windows (typically September-October).

  • Employee connections may help: With $700,000 in annual ERG grants and a matching gift program, having relationships with AbbVie employees could provide an indirect pathway to Foundation support, though this is not a public application process.

References

All sources accessed December 2024.

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