
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.
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.
$131.8M
$217.7M
$67.6M
$113.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $435K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$435K
About 59% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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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
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago Medicine | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000,000 | 2025 | Support for UChicago Medicine, its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion |
| THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND | Charleston, SC | $12,074,098 | 2025 | Matching grants |
| Scholarship America Inc | Minneapolis, MN | $2,033,164 | 2025 | Scholarships |
| Year Up Inc | BOSTON, MA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | Year Up: Closing the Opportunity Divide |
| University of Chicago | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | Shaping the Future of Cancer Research and Care |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Charlotte, NC | $1,900,000 | 2025 | AbbVie Employee Relief Fund |
| Direct Relief | Santa Barbara, CA | $1,900,000 | 2025 | Fund for Health Equity |
| University of Chicago | CHICAGO, IL | $1,700,000 | 2025 | Liaison in Care Program (LinC): Empowering our Community to Reduce Health Disparities |
| Points of Light Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $1,586,400 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities 2024 Implementation and Week of Possibilities 2025 planning |
| North Chicago Community Unit School | North Chicago, IL | $1,500,000 | 2025 | General Mission - Kitchen Renovation Project |
| National Urban League Inc | NEW YORK, NY | $1,400,000 | 2025 | Project Ready Mentor |
| United Negro College Fund | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,300,000 | 2025 | UNCF Healthcare Workforce Diversity Program |
| Transform for Kids | Lake Bluff, IL | $1,120,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning |
| Partners In Health | Boston, MA | $1,100,000 | 2025 | Partners In Health: United States: Advancing Health Equity through Community-Led Solutions |
| Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDs Initiative | HOUSTON, TX | $930,000 | 2025 | BIPAI HIV and General Mission Support |
| The Heart of America Foundation | Washington, DC | $900,000 | 2025 | 2024 Week of Possibilities Transformation Projects |
| Indiana University | Detroit, MI | $770,000 | 2025 | Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) - Grant Year September 1, 2024 -August 31, 2025 |
| Transform for Kids | Lake Bluff, IL | $700,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning |
| Points of Light Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $531,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities 2024 Implementation and Week of Possibilities 2025 planning |
| North Chicago Community Partners | Lake Bluff, IL | $500,000 | 2025 | General Mission Support |
| Innovation Development Institute Inc | CHICAGO, IL | $370,000 | 2025 | Health Equity Accelerator Program |
| Providence St Mel School | CHICAGO, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | AbbVie Scholarships and the Academic Intervention Model |
| Jersey Cares Inc | Livingston, NJ | $300,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities Volunteer Management & Bedtime Bags Project |
| CommunityHealth | CHICAGO, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | Small Targets, Big Impacts |
| Bernie's Book Bank | Lake Bluff, IL | $297,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities 2024 |
| Transform for Kids | Lake Bluff, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning |
| Partners In Health | Boston, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | Strengthening Community Health in Rural Mexico |
| Cradles to Crayons Inc | Chicago, IL | $182,000 | 2025 | Week of Possibilities 2024 |
| Beacon Place NFP | Waukegan, IL | $175,000 | 2025 | General Mission Support |
| American Red Cross | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | Disaster Relief: Hurricane Helene |
| Teach For America | Chicago, IL | $122,000 | 2025 | Expanding Impact for North Chicago Students through Teacher Recruitment and Support |
| Heart to Heart International Inc | Lenexa, KS | $100,000 | 2025 | Disaster Relief: Hurricane Helene |
| The Heart of America Foundation | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | 2024 Week of Possibilities Transformation Projects |
| Bernie's Book Bank | Lake Bluff, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | General Mission Support |
| Erie Family Health Centers | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | General Mission Support |
| College Bound Opportunities | Riverwoods, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | GENEVA, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 Week of Possibilities: Expanding Outreach through Volunteers |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | GENEVA, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | General Mission Support |
| Chinese American Service League | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Dress for Success Worldwide | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| WELLNESS TOGETHER | ROSEVILLE, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Brave Space Alliance | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Travis Manion Foundation | Doylestown, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Waymakers | Irvine, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| United Services Organization Inc | Arlington, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Girl Talk Inc | Atlanta, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Impacting Veterans Lives Inc -Midwest Veterans Closet | Wadsworth, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Iola Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation | Grayslake, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
| Lawrence Hall | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ERG General Mission Support |
The University of Chicago Medicine
$15,000,000Support for UChicago Medicine, its Comprehensive Cancer Center and new cancer pavilion
THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND
$12,074,098Matching grants
Scholarship America Inc
$2,033,164Scholarships
Year Up Inc
$2,000,000Year Up: Closing the Opportunity Divide
University of Chicago
$2,000,000Shaping the Future of Cancer Research and Care
Foundation For The Carolinas
$1,900,000AbbVie Employee Relief Fund
Direct Relief
$1,900,000Fund for Health Equity
University of Chicago
$1,700,000Liaison in Care Program (LinC): Empowering our Community to Reduce Health Disparities
Points of Light Foundation
$1,586,400Week of Possibilities 2024 Implementation and Week of Possibilities 2025 planning
North Chicago Community Unit School
$1,500,000General Mission - Kitchen Renovation Project
National Urban League Inc
$1,400,000Project Ready Mentor
United Negro College Fund
$1,300,000UNCF Healthcare Workforce Diversity Program
Transform for Kids
$1,120,000Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning
Partners In Health
$1,100,000Partners In Health: United States: Advancing Health Equity through Community-Led Solutions
Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDs Initiative
$930,000BIPAI HIV and General Mission Support
The Heart of America Foundation
$900,0002024 Week of Possibilities Transformation Projects
Indiana University
$770,000Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) - Grant Year September 1, 2024 -August 31, 2025
Transform for Kids
$700,000Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning
Points of Light Foundation
$531,000Week of Possibilities 2024 Implementation and Week of Possibilities 2025 planning
North Chicago Community Partners
$500,000General Mission Support
Innovation Development Institute Inc
$370,000Health Equity Accelerator Program
Providence St Mel School
$300,000AbbVie Scholarships and the Academic Intervention Model
Jersey Cares Inc
$300,000Week of Possibilities Volunteer Management & Bedtime Bags Project
CommunityHealth
$300,000Small Targets, Big Impacts
Bernie's Book Bank
$297,000Week of Possibilities 2024
Transform for Kids
$200,000Week of Possibilities: 2024 Execution and 2025 Planning
Partners In Health
$200,000Strengthening Community Health in Rural Mexico
Cradles to Crayons Inc
$182,000Week of Possibilities 2024
Beacon Place NFP
$175,000General Mission Support
American Red Cross
$150,000Disaster Relief: Hurricane Helene
Teach For America
$122,000Expanding Impact for North Chicago Students through Teacher Recruitment and Support
Heart to Heart International Inc
$100,000Disaster Relief: Hurricane Helene
The Heart of America Foundation
$100,0002024 Week of Possibilities Transformation Projects
Bernie's Book Bank
$50,000General Mission Support
Erie Family Health Centers
$50,000General Mission Support
College Bound Opportunities
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Northern Illinois Food Bank
$25,0002024 Week of Possibilities: Expanding Outreach through Volunteers
Northern Illinois Food Bank
$25,000General Mission Support
Chinese American Service League
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Dress for Success Worldwide
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
WELLNESS TOGETHER
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Brave Space Alliance
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Travis Manion Foundation
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Waymakers
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
United Services Organization Inc
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Girl Talk Inc
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Impacting Veterans Lives Inc -Midwest Veterans Closet
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Iola Foundation
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation
$25,000ERG General Mission Support
Lawrence Hall
$25,000ERG General Mission Support