FEB. 4, 2026 – Direct Relief today announced that more than $67 million has reached

community organizations in all 50 U.S. states to organizations working to eliminate health

disparities and improve healthcare quality.

Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity was launched in 2021 through the generous support

of the AbbVie Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, and Mackenzie Scott. Since then, the

Fund has provided assistance to 301 organizations focused on diversification of the

healthcare workforce, reducing health disparities, and leveraging technology and

innovation to improve access to reliable care.

Included in that total are $4 million in grants to 28 organizations issued this month in the

latest round of funding.

“The organizations receiving this support from the Fund for Health Equity are critically

important to their communities and play key roles in addressing the systemic barriers that

impact health outcomes,” said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief’s Chief Health Officer and Co-

Chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “This support allows them to do even more to help

people reach their potential and live healthy lives.”

The AbbVie Foundation committed $10 million over five years to the Fund for Health

Equity in 2020. Since then, the Foundation’s support has enabled Direct Relief to

distribute grants to 50 organizations. This year, the Foundation is awarding $1.58 million in

grants to 10 additional organizations through the Fund.

“We are honored to continue our partnership with Direct Relief and proud to support the

2026 Fund for Health Equity grant recipients who are working to address health disparities

across the United States,” said Keya Milla, President, AbbVie Foundation and Vice

President, Corporate Responsibility & Global Philanthropy, AbbVie. “This longstanding

partnership exemplifies the AbbVie Foundation’s mission to advance health equity and our

commitment to driving transformative change in communities so that everyone can live

their healthiest life.”

Lilly also supported the Fund with a $5 million commitment in early 2021, as part of the

Lilly 30×30 effort, which aims to improve access to quality health care for 30 million people

living in resource-limited settings annually by 2030.

With the support from Lilly’s commitment, Direct Relief has been able to distribute a

portion of its Health Equity Fund to 20 awardees across the U.S. since 2021, and an

additional four new awardees this year.

“Lilly is proud to contribute to Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity in support of Direct

Relief’s charitable work to eliminate health disparities and improve access to quality

healthcare in resource-limited communities across the United States. We look forward to

the continued impact that will be made by the community-based organizations supported

by the Fund,” said Cynthia Cardona, Lilly’s Vice President of Social Impact.

The Fund for Health Equity continues to grow, supporting a broad range of community-

based organizations addressing issues such as chronic disease management, maternal

and child health, mental health services, and culturally competent care.