AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator

Seeking innovative solutions that rethink the delivery, space and place of care for communities with limited availability or proximity to healthcare services.

Underserved communities often experience limited access to quality healthcare services due to various factors, including geographical and physical barriers, lack of available culturally competent care, discrimination and bias, constraints on how care is delivered (e.g., in-person vs. virtual) and more. By rethinking the delivery, space and place of care to expand access to care beyond traditional settings to institutions trusted by communities, community-based organizations can address non-medical factors that influence a person’s health outcomes, commonly known as social determinants of health (or non-medical determinants of health).

Innovative, grassroots solutions have the potential to bridge these gaps, improving access and enhancing the quality of care by meeting communities where they are and providing tailored services to address the specific needs of diverse populations.

Community-based organizations are particularly effective in this regard due to their deep knowledge of local community dynamics, cultural nuances and specific needs. They also have the ability to foster partnerships, collaborations and leverage investments beyond the traditional healthcare system, addressing the socioeconomic and structural factors that drive population health.

The AbbVie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to drive transformative change and advance health equity in communities worldwide, in partnership with MATTER, has launched the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator. We invite applications for innovative, scalable solutions that rethink the delivery, space and place of care for communities with limited access or proximity to healthcare services.

The accelerator will empower nonprofit organizations to drive innovative, community-led solutions to address health disparities by providing mentorship and access to resources to scale their programs’ impact and drive meaningful change.

See the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator FAQs and glossary for more information.

Participants in this eight-week accelerator will gain access to valuable resources, including a dynamic, interactive curriculum delivered by subject matter experts. This program is designed to enhance participants’ solutions, refine their model and strategies and empower them to drive significant impact in health equity.

Key benefits include:

• Financial support: Each selected participant will receive a $10,000 stipend, recognizing their time and dedication to the program. Additionally, one winning solution will be awarded a $50,000 unrestricted grant to support the implementation and development of their innovative approach to health equity.
• Expert guidance and mentorship: Participants will benefit from tailored mentorship from industry leaders and health equity experts. This guidance will help refine their strategies and maximize their impact.
• Networking opportunities: Engage with a diverse cohort of peers, potential partners, and stakeholders in the health equity space. These connections can lead to valuable collaborations and long-term partnerships.
• Visibility and recognition: Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions to a broader audience. This exposure can open doors to additional funding and support.

Accelerator participants should expect to:

• Engage with other innovative nonprofit organizations
• Refine their solutions, model, and strategies with support from MATTER and other industry experts
• Pitch to potential investors, partners and clients at the final showcase
• Dedicate three to five hours per week to accelerator assignments and activities, such as cohort events, workshops, mentoring sessions and weekly progress check-ins
• Complete program with actionable next steps to further advance their solutions over the subsequent six months
• Receive a free, six-month MATTER membership

September 4, 2024: Applications open
October 27, 2024: Applications close
November 22, 2024: Up to five finalists are selected and notified; cohort is announced
January 6-February 28, 2025: Finalists participate in accelerator
Week of March 3, 2025: Finalists present their solutions at the final showcase in-person in Chicago, Illinois

Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older and represent a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S. We seek community-based organizations that are innovatively rethinking the delivery, space, and place of care for communities with limited access to healthcare services. If your organization is developing or implementing solutions to enhance healthcare accessibility and impact for underserved populations, we encourage you to apply.

Applications will be evaluated with the following criteria in mind:

Organization Criteria

• Nonprofit status: Be a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and classified as a public charity under Code 509(a). The organization must be in good standing.
• Operational capacity: Demonstrate the ability to effectively execute the proposed solution, including:
  • Leadership and team: Have a strong leadership team with proven success and relevant expertise.
  • Financial health: Show reasonable financial health and stability to enable scale or replication of the solution. Preference for solutions with a clear plan or vision for achieving financial sustainability.
  • Reporting: Be capable of providing regular, transparent reports on progress and outcomes.
  • Mentorship readiness: Be ready to engage with mentors and advisors provided by the accelerator program and effectively utilize the provided resources, training and support.

Program criteria

• Program focus: Ability to clearly articulate the problem statement addressed in the Challenge description.
• Development stage: Be in the execution stage or have been tested at least on a small scale (i.e., moved past the idea/concept stage and pursuing growth, whether that is early product-market fit or plans for significant scale).
• Project reach and scalability: Be focused on impacting U.S. communities and have the potential to be scaled or replicated in other communities or contexts.
• Community impact: Be focused and demonstrate the potential to make a significant impact on underserved or marginalized communities.

Applications open on September 4, 2024, and close at 11:59pm CT on October 27, 2024. MATTER will select up to 10 applicants to determine their fit for participation in the program. MATTER will select at least 5 teams to move on to the accelerator which begins January 6, 2025.

See the full Terms & Conditions.

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 1,000 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. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.