AbbVie & MATTER Launch 2nd Accelerator to Scale Health Equity Solutions

CHICAGO, IL – January 27, 2026 – The AbbVie Foundation and healthcare innovation hub MATTER today announced a renewed call for applications for the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator. Now entering its second year, the program is designed to identify and bolster innovative nonprofit organizations that are actively working to dismantle barriers to healthcare access across the United States and its territories.

The initiative aims to select up to five high-impact nonprofits, providing them with critical resources, expert coaching, and funding to amplify their work. This effort represents a significant investment in community-led solutions, which are increasingly seen as essential to addressing long-standing health disparities.

“The AbbVie Foundation believes that transformative change begins in communities — and we are committed to partnering with nonprofits working every day to expand access to care so that everyone can live their healthiest life,” said Keya Milla, President of the AbbVie Foundation and Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Global Philanthropy at AbbVie. “The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator is designed to advance their work and missions, providing valuable resources and support to help scale innovative solutions and deliver meaningful, lasting impact.”

A Strategic Alliance for Social Impact

The partnership between the AbbVie Foundation and MATTER creates a powerful synergy, merging the philanthropic capital and strategic vision of a major corporate foundation with the specialized expertise of a premier healthcare incubator. This collaboration is more than a simple funding opportunity; it represents a model for how cross-sector partnerships can drive tangible social progress.

The AbbVie Foundation's involvement is rooted in a broader, long-term commitment to advancing health equity. This accelerator is a key component of a philanthropic strategy that has seen the foundation distribute hundreds of millions of dollars since its inception, with a sharpened focus in recent years on addressing systemic health and education inequities affecting marginalized communities in the U.S. This initiative aligns with AbbVie's larger ESG goals and a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to strengthening community healthcare systems.

MATTER brings its extensive experience in nurturing innovation to the table. As an organization that has guided over a thousand startups and forged connections across the healthcare ecosystem, it provides the essential framework for the accelerator. MATTER's role is to deliver the hands-on support—the mentorship, curriculum, and network access—that helps promising organizations refine their models and prepare for growth.

"With the launch of this year's program, we are looking for the most innovative nonprofit organizations that we can support to help them achieve their ambitions," stated Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER. "Last year's program was an incredible success, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the AbbVie Foundation to improve access to quality health care services."

Addressing Critical Gaps in Health and Funding

The accelerator's mission is set against the backdrop of persistent and complex challenges in the U.S. healthcare landscape. Disparities in health outcomes are deeply connected to social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, geographic location, and systemic biases. Many communities face significant hurdles, from "care deserts" with few providers to the high cost of services and the digital divide that limits access to telehealth.

Nonprofits are often on the front lines of addressing these issues, but they face their own set of obstacles. Funding is frequently fragmented and restricted to specific projects, making it difficult to invest in long-term organizational capacity. Many smaller organizations with proven, effective local interventions lack the resources, strategic guidance, and operational infrastructure needed to scale their solutions to reach a broader population. They are caught in a constant cycle of grant-seeking that can stifle innovation and growth.

The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator is structured to directly address these gaps. The program provides not only a $10,000 stipend to support participation but also a chance at a substantial $50,000 unrestricted grant for one organization. This unrestricted funding is particularly valuable, allowing a nonprofit to invest in its most critical needs, whether that's technology, staff development, or strategic planning. By combining this financial support with an intensive curriculum on scaling and impact measurement, the program equips leaders with the tools to build more resilient and impactful organizations.

Building on Inaugural Success: A Call to Innovators

The 2026 program is not a new venture but an evolution built on the success of the inaugural 2025 cohort. The first program brought together five distinct community-based organizations, providing them with a 10-week immersive experience. Feedback from participants highlighted the immense value of the mentorship and the collaborative relationships formed.

Reflecting on the experience, one participant from the inaugural cohort noted that the mentorship was "probably the most amazing aspect of this journey," underscoring the importance of expert guidance in navigating the complexities of scaling a nonprofit. The program fostered what were described as "incredible partnerships and relationships" between the cohort, the AbbVie Foundation, and MATTER, creating a supportive ecosystem for growth.

For the 2026 cycle, the accelerator is once again seeking nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate existing success in expanding healthcare access. The ideal candidates are not just startups with an idea, but established organizations with a proven model ready for the next stage of growth. The 10-week program, running from May 11 to July 17, 2026, will feature an interactive curriculum delivered by subject matter experts, exclusive resources, and invaluable networking opportunities. The program will culminate in a final showcase event in Chicago during the week of August 3, 2026, where participants will present their scaled solutions to an audience of potential partners and funders.

The Path Forward: How to Apply

For nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs dedicated to health equity, the accelerator represents a significant opportunity to gain the support needed to amplify their impact. The program is specifically looking for solutions that improve the affordability, availability, accessibility, and accommodation of healthcare services in communities across the U.S. and its territories.

Applications for the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator officially open today, January 27, 2026. The application window will remain open for six weeks, closing on March 8, 2026. Interested organizations are encouraged to visit the accelerator's website for detailed information about the program, eligibility criteria, and the online application portal. The selection process is expected to be competitive, seeking organizations with the most compelling and scalable solutions to some of health's most pressing challenges.