
The AbbVie Foundation concentrates on health equity, medical research and humanitarian relief while also investing in workforce development, education access, and employee-led community engagement. They fund major academic medical centers and international health NGOs for cancer, HIV and disaster response, while supporting local partner organizations in North Chicago and large national intermediaries that run volunteering and scholarship programs. Their grants mix corporate philanthropic vehicles (matching funds/employee relief) with direct program and capacity support to community schools, scholarship providers, and workforce pipelines. Recurrent funding to a set of institutional partners and annual volunteer/Week of Possibilities programming is a distinctive feature.
A $15 million grant to The University of Chicago Medicine for its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion stands out as the clearest signal of the AbbVie Foundation’s priorities. Across its recent grants, the foundation supports health equity, cancer research, workforce development, scholarships, humanitarian relief, and local community needs. The funding pattern mixes large institutional awards with repeated support for the same partners over multiple years, including University of Chicago, Year Up Inc, Direct Relief, and the Blackbaud Giving Fund. The foundation also uses philanthropy to reinforce employee-directed giving and community engagement. Grants to Foundation For The Carolinas supported the AbbVie Employee Relief Fund, while Points of Light Foundation received repeated funding for Week of Possibilities volunteer projects and planning. In education and workforce pathways, the foundation backed United Negro College Fund and Scholarship America for scholarships and healthcare workforce diversity. Local grants also reached North Chicago, including support for a kitchen renovation project at North Chicago Community Unit School. Recent awards show a funder that moves between national intermediaries, academic medical centers, and community organizations, with recurring emphasis on access to care and health-related opportunity.
Cancer research and cancer center support appear prominently in the foundation’s giving. In 2025, The University of Chicago Medicine received $15,000,000 for UChicago Medicine, its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion, and University of Chicago received $2,000,000 for Shaping the Future of Cancer Research and Care. Health equity and care access are another major thread. Direct Relief received $1,900,000 in 2025 for Fund for Health Equity, following similar awards in 2023 and 2024. University of Chicago also received $1,700,000 in 2025 for Liaison in Care Program (LinC): Empowering our Community to Reduce Health Disparities. Workforce and education funding is also visible. Year Up Inc received $2,000,000 in 2025 for Year Up: Closing the Opportunity Divide, and United Negro College Fund received $2,400,000 in 2024 for the UNCF Healthcare Workforce Diversity Program. Scholarship America received $2,033,164 in 2025 for Scholarships.
$33.8M
$265.6M
$125.2M
$36.7M
Most grants fall between $25K and $435K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$435K
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Concentrated, institution-focused giving with a mix of several multi-year, large grants to anchor partners and numerous smaller repeat grants to community organizations; heavy use of fund-distribution/matching vehicles for employee philanthropy and recurring support for annual volunteer initiatives.
Notable grantees: The Blackbaud Giving Fund, University of Chicago / University of Chicago Medicine, Direct Relief, Year Up, United Negro College Fund
Typical grants cluster around a median of $50,000, with a lower quartile of $25,000 and an upper quartile of $434,800. The recent record also includes several very large awards in the $1.5 million to $15 million range, showing a mix of small, program-specific awards and major institutional commitments. Recurring support is a defining pattern. Multiple recipients appear in consecutive years, including The Blackbaud Giving Fund, Foundation For The Carolinas, Direct Relief, Year Up Inc, and University of Chicago. The foundation is a regular funder, and the active programs indicate a mix of direct grantmaking, employee giving match programs, multi-year partnerships, and investigator-initiated studies. Some grantmaking is structured through employee-directed or foundation-backed channels rather than open solicitation.
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States in the recent grants list, and 59% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. Chicago is the most visible city in the portfolio, with large awards to The University of Chicago Medicine and University of Chicago, plus support for North Chicago Community Unit School in North Chicago. Other repeated recipient cities include Charleston, Charlotte, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Santa Barbara, Houston, and Washington, DC. The foundation’s giving is national in scope, but it is especially concentrated in Illinois.
Recent grants show a focus on cancer research and cancer center support, health equity and access to care, workforce development, scholarships, and employee-led community engagement. Examples include funding for The University of Chicago Medicine, Direct Relief, Year Up Inc, United Negro College Fund, and Points of Light Foundation.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including The Blackbaud Giving Fund, Foundation For The Carolinas, Direct Relief, Year Up Inc, and University of Chicago. That pattern points to recurring partnerships rather than one-off awards only.
The grant-size distribution centers on a median of $50,000, with p25 at $25,000 and p75 at $434,800. Recent awards also include larger commitments, such as $15,000,000 to The University of Chicago Medicine and several $2,000,000 awards.
Its recent grants are entirely to U.S. recipients, and Illinois receives 59% of grants. Chicago appears frequently in the grant list, alongside other recipient cities such as Charleston, Charlotte, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Santa Barbara, Houston, and Washington, DC.
Yes. Recent grants include matching grants to The Blackbaud Giving Fund and support for Foundation For The Carolinas’ AbbVie Employee Relief Fund. Points of Light Foundation also received funding for Week of Possibilities volunteer projects and planning.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago Medicine | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000,000 | 2026 | Support for UChicago Medicine, its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC | NEWARK, DE | $11,357,716 | 2026 | Matching grants 2025: AOGF |
| Health Leads | BOSTON, MA | $3,000,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| Points of Light Foundation | ATLANTA, GA | $2,591,700 | 2026 | Week of Possibilities 2025 |
| Scholarship America Inc | Minneapolis, MN | $2,082,269 | 2026 | Scholarships Management Fees and Awards |
| Transform for Kids | Lake Bluff, IL | $2,050,000 | 2026 | Week of Possibilities: 2025 Execution and 2026 Planning |
| Partners In Health | Boston, MA | $1,400,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| YourCause Holdings LLC | Plano, TX | $1,182,284 | 2026 | GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| The Heart of America Foundation | Washington, DC | $1,100,000 | 2026 | Heart of America WOP 2025 |
| Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere Inc | ATLANTA, GA | $750,000 | 2026 | Advancing health equity through community health workers and cash, food, and transportation |
| E4E Relief | Charlotte, NC | $600,000 | 2026 | AbbVie Employee Relief Fund |
| Direct Relief | Santa Barbara, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | Los Angeles CA Wildfire Disaster Response |
| Community Health | CHICAGO, IL | $500,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| North Chicago Community Partners | Lake Bluff, IL | $500,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support |
| Innovation Development Institute Inc | CHICAGO, IL | $475,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDs Initiative | Houston, TX | $465,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity | Gurnee, IL | $360,000 | 2026 | Week of Possibilities 2025 Habitat Home |
| Bernie's Book Bank | Lake Bluff, IL | $345,064 | 2026 | General Mission Support and Week of possibilities 2025 |
| Indiana University | Detroit, MI | $330,500 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Charlotte, NC | $300,000 | 2026 | AbbVie Employee Relief Fund |
| Jersey Cares Inc | Livingston, NJ | $300,000 | 2026 | 2025 Week of Possibilities - Remote Kit Assembly |
| International Medical Corps | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | Los Angeles CA Wildfire Disaster Response |
| American Red Cross | Chicago, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | Los Angeles CA Wildfire Disaster Response |
| Cradles to Crayons Inc | Chicago, IL | $215,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support and Week of possibilities 2025 |
| The Beacon Place NFP | Waukegan, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support |
| Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico Inc | SAN JUAN, PR | $67,200 | 2026 | Empowering Community: 2025 Week of Possibilities |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | GENEVA, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support and Week of possibilities 2025 |
| Erie Family Health Centers | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support |
| Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico Inc | Carolina, PR | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Teach For America | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | General Mission Support |
| Project HOPE - The People-to-People Health Foundation Inc | Washington, DC | $48,200 | 2026 | Week of Possibilities 2025 |
| Travis Manion Foundation | Doylestown, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Best Buddies International | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Asian Health Coalition | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Waymakers | IRVINE, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Impacting Veterans Lives Inc -Midwest Veterans Closet | North Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Science Club for Girls | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| The HBCU Project Foundation Inc | Dallas, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| CHOC Foundation | ORANGE, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Girls in the Game | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Step Up Women's Network | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Operation Homefront Inc | San Antonio, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Dress for Success Greater Chicago | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| College Bound Opportunities | Highland Park, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Transitional Living Services | Crystal Lake, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Center on Halsted | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Miriam's Kitchen | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Chinese American Service League | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Mano a Mano Family Resource Center | ROUND LAKE PK, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
| Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT |
The University of Chicago Medicine
$15,000,000Support for UChicago Medicine, its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion
Points of Light Foundation
$2,591,700Week of Possibilities 2025
Scholarship America Inc
$2,082,269Scholarships Management Fees and Awards
Transform for Kids
Week of Possibilities: 2025 Execution and 2026 Planning
Partners In Health
$1,400,000STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT
YourCause Holdings LLC
$1,182,284GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
The Heart of America Foundation
$1,100,000Heart of America WOP 2025
Advancing health equity through community health workers and cash, food, and transportation
North Chicago Community Partners
$500,000General Mission Support
Innovation Development Institute Inc
$475,000STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT
Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDs Initiative
$465,000STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC GRANT
American Red Cross
$250,000Los Angeles CA Wildfire Disaster Response
Empowering Community: 2025 Week of Possibilities
General Mission Support and Week of possibilities 2025
Erie Family Health Centers
$50,000General Mission Support
Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico Inc
$50,000GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Week of Possibilities 2025
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Best Buddies International
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Asian Health Coalition
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Impacting Veterans Lives Inc -Midwest Veterans Closet
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
The HBCU Project Foundation Inc
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Dress for Success Greater Chicago
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Transitional Living Services
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT
Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club
$25,000EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP GRANT - GENERAL MISSION SUPPORT