Five nonprofits selected to join the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator
December 18, 2024, CHICAGO, IL — The AbbVie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to drive transformative change and advance health equity in communities worldwide, in partnership with MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, are pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of the AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator.
The AbbVie Foundation and MATTER invited nonprofit organizations to submit their solutions rethinking the delivery, space and place of care for underserved communities with limited access or proximity to healthcare services. The nonprofit applicants were evaluated based on the following criteria: program focus, developmental stage, project reach and scalability, and community impact.
The following organizations have been selected to participate in the Accelerator:
Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico:
Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico is a nonprofit organization with the mission to end hunger in Puerto Rico through programs that address nutrition and improve the quality of life of the one in three Puerto Ricans living with food insecurity.
Healing California:
Healing California provides free, quality dental, medical and vision care to those in need in California. They partner with local area nonprofits and community groups to set up one- or two-day clinics using our fully mobile equipment and dedicated volunteer healthcare providers to offer comprehensive screenings and treatment where and when people need it most.
Healthy Hood Chicago:
Healthy Hood Chicago’s mission is to foster transformative healing with a community approach to wellness. Through innovative programming grounded in restorative practices and radical healing, they confront systemic injustices, address health disparities and nurture collective resilience.
The Health Betterment Initiative:
The Health Betterment Initiative (HBI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming healthcare access for underserved and evolving communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. By offering free, culturally tailored education, resource navigation, and seamless linkage to care, HBI dismantles barriers to equitable healthcare and empowers individuals to take charge of their health.
Vecinos:
Established in 2004, Vecinos is a free clinic and State Designated Rural Health Center that provides equitable, culturally centered healthcare and wellness services with a focus on Latinx and farmworker communities.
Through the Accelerator, the cohort will receive mentorship and exclusive resources designed to enhance their innovative solutions, refine their model and strategies, and empower them to drive significant impact in health equity.
Additionally, each selected participant will receive a $10,000 stipend, recognizing their time and dedication to the program. Following a final showcase on March 4, 2025 in Chicago, one nonprofit organization will be awarded a $50,000 unrestricted grant to support the implementation and development of their innovative approach to expanding access to care.
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.
About MATTER
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.