2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator is sponsored by Abbvie Foundation. A national call for U.S.-based nonprofits to develop and scale innovative, community-led solutions that address health access barriers or social determinants of health. Up to five organizations are selected to participate in a 10-week accelerator program to refine and scale their impact.

Geographic focus: United States

Focus areas: Health Equity, Healthcare Access, Social Determinants of Health, Community-led Care

## What are we looking for? The AbbVie Foundation, in partnership with MATTER, is inviting nonprofits with solutions that expand health care access in communities to apply for the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator.

We will support and scale solutions that have demonstrated early evidence of success, such as positive trends in health outcomes for participants, or engagement metrics that correlate to better outcomes within their communities — and can be expanded across geographies or populations.

## Focus areas include, but are not limited to, the areas below: Ensuring that the cost of care — whether services, prescriptions or insurance — does not stop people from getting the help they need.

**Solutions might include:** Innovating to lower or eliminate financial barriers (like medical bills, prescription costs or insurance premiums) by deploying patient advocates for cost navigation or offering sliding-scale fee models based on a person’s income. Making sure the right kinds of health services, support and resources exist in sufficient supply for a community to use.

**Solutions might include:** Addressing “care deserts” by bringing primary care or mental health professionals to a rural area or a region that previously had none. Making it easy for people to physically get to a place where care is offered. This means breaking down barriers like distance, transportation or physical obstacles.

**Solutions might include:** Reimagining how and where care is delivered (i.e., telehealth, embedding health services into trusted community settings, like schools, libraries, grocery stores, places of worship, etc.) Designing health services to fit the practical, real-world needs of the people using them. This includes convenient hours, flexible appointments and communicating in a person’s preferred language.

**Solutions might include:** Leveraging technology and data to enhance access, efficiency and coordination of care, and bringing care to meet people where they are through mobile clinics, pop-up models, etc. Delivering care in a way that is respectful, welcoming and compatible with a person’s cultural values, beliefs and background. This is essential for building comfort and trust.

**Solutions might include:** Creating new pathways for community-based health workers, doulas or navigators to extend reach and improve trust and cultural relevance. Have a solution that doesn’t fall into one of the focus areas listed? We welcome any additional areas that fit or align with the AbbVie Foundation’s mission of driving transformative change in communities worldwide so that everyone can live their healthiest life.

## The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator is an intensive, 10-week program designed to provide nonprofit organizations with access to mentorship, exclusive resources and an interactive curriculum from subject matter experts. Participants will refine their innovative solutions, plan for scale and showcase their potential to drive significant impact in health equity.

* **Expert guidance:** Receive tailored mentorship and strategic advice from subject matter experts and seasoned industry leaders. * **Powerful networking:** Connect with a curated cohort of peers and gain direct access to our network of health care systems, investors and philanthropic partners at the final showcase.

* **Increased visibility:** Showcase your solution to a broad audience, opening doors to potential additional funding, partnerships and support. * **Valuable resources:** Receive a free, six-month MATTER membership to continue your work. * **Unrestricted financial support:** Receive a $10,000 stipend to facilitate the effectiveness of your health care access solution.

At the program’s conclusion, one organization will be selected to receive an additional $50,000 unrestricted grant to scale its solution. For many individuals and families, getting quality health care isn’t simple. Barriers can take many forms: care might be too far away, hard to schedule or unaffordable.

At other times, services and/or programs may not align with a community’s unique needs, which can damage trust and prevent people from getting help.

We know that a person’s health is influenced by more than just clinical services; it is also influenced by non-medical factors — also known as social determinants of health — like education, access to quality food, financial stability, etc. Community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to navigate these challenges.

As trusted local leaders, they create innovative, grassroots solutions that meet people where they are and address their needs and concerns. By understanding the true needs of communities, these organizations can develop programs that effectively reduce barriers and ensure people receive the care they need — when, where and how they need it.

The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator aims to catalyze community-led innovation that expands access to health care, helping nonprofit programs scale their initiatives to reach more communities and create lasting impact. See the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator FAQs and glossary for more information.

## Participant expectations Accelerator participants should expect to: * Commit five to seven hours per week for 10 weeks for workshops, mentoring and cohort activities.

The majority of the program is conducted virtually, with in-person participation required for two key events at MATTER in Chicago, Illinois: * _Program Kickoff:_ Week of May 11, 2026 (for two days) * _Final Showcase:_ Week of August 3, 2026 (for two days) * Engage with a cohort of innovative nonprofit organizations. * Refine program models and strategies with support from the AbbVie Foundation, MATTER and industry experts.

* Graduate with a refined scaling model, a polished pitch deck and a concrete six-month implementation plan.

**January 27, 2026:** Applications open **March 8, 2026:** Applications close **March 23-April 3, 2026:** Meetings with top candidates **April 13, 2026:** Five organizations are selected and notified; cohort is announced **May 11–July 17, 2026:** Accelerator program, with weekly virtual meetings, except for two in-person meetings hosted at MATTER offices in Chicago, Illinois: * **Week of May 11, 2026:** Finalists meet in-person for the program kickoff * **Week of August 3, 2026:** Finalists present their solutions at the final showcase in-person * **U.S. nonprofit:** Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity based in the U.S. and its territories and in good standing.

* **Operational readiness:** Possesses a strong leadership team with relevant expertise and the organizational capacity to execute the program. * **Financial stability & vision:** Demonstrates stable financial health and a clear vision for long-term program sustainability. * **Collaborative & transparent:** Has the capacity to provide regular, transparent reports on progress and outcomes.

* **Ready to scale:** Exhibits readiness to engage with mentors, advisors and the curriculum to grow the solution. * **Challenge-focused:** The initiative must directly address the problem statement outlined in the Challenge. * **Beyond the idea:** The initiative is past the concept stage and has been tested, even on a small scale, with a focus on growth and impact.

* **Scalable solution:** The initiative impacts U.S. communities and has clear potential for replication in other geographies or populations. * **Deep community impact:** The initiative can provide evidence-based results and demonstrates a significant, measurable impact on underserved communities. Applications open on January 27, 2026, and close at 11:59pm CT on March 8, 2026.

MATTER will select and meet with up to 10 applicants between March 23 and April 3, 2026 to determine their fit for the program. MATTER will select five teams to participate in the accelerator, which begins May 11, 2026. See the full Terms & Conditions.

## About the AbbVie Foundation The AbbVie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to driving transformative change in communities worldwide and advancing health equity so that every individual can realize their full potential. At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare.

The MATTER collaborative includes more than 800 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare.