Conference Overview

The 2026 Animal Grantmakers Conference, The Frontier of Animal Philanthropy, will bring together funders and philanthropic leaders committed to advancing thoughtful, strategic, and impactful investment across the animal protection movement. Taking place September 16–17, 2026 at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City, the conference will explore the evolving frontiers of animal philanthropy: where emerging opportunities, underfunded issues, innovative approaches, and cross-sector collaboration offer funders the potential to catalyze meaningful and lasting change for animals. Conversations will span the breadth of the movement — from companion animals to farmed animals, wildlife, laboratory animals, policy advocacy, systems change, and beyond — while also examining how philanthropy can more effectively support organizations and ideas at every stage of growth and visibility.

AGCon 2026 Highlights {subject to change}

• Optional pre-conference activities, such as a nature walk at Red Ridge and visits to local animal welfare nonprofits

• An opening night reception at the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City (the main conference hotel)

• Informal dine-arounds to local favorite vegan (or vegan-friendly) restaurants

• Morning inspiration to begin each day's programming (e.g., poetry, storytelling, short keynotes)

• Expert speakers from philanthropy, advocacy, academia, and science

• Sessions exploring emerging frontiers in animal philanthropy, such as:

• • The new funding sources reshaping our field

  • Strategies for maximizing philanthropic impact across animal causes

  • Practices quietly producing outsized impact

  • Our successes, as well as the under-funded corners of animal protection that deserve more of our attention

  • Insights from young philanthropic leaders, grantmakers, and animal advocates shaping the future of our movement

• Highly interactive frontier-focused presentations, discussions, and workshops, including:

• • State of the Ecosystem sessions covering each major animal category

  • A hands-on theory of change workshop attendees can apply directly to their own grantmaking

  • Member and non-member grantmakers sharing what they're seeing in animal philanthropy

  • Dedicated structured networking time to foster meaningful connections and collaboration
    

• Presentation of the 5^th Annual Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award

• A gala reception and keynoted dinner

• Opportunities to engage with nonprofit leaders, researchers, advocates, and fellow funders working across the animal protection landscape

• Continuous opportunities to connect with funders from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond
  

• A tour of Oklahoma Contemporary followed by a closing reception with attendees of the Kirkpatrick Foundation's ANIMAL Conference

• The chance to attend two conferences for the cost of one trip and continue networking with a new community of animal friends on the same visit . . .

Special Added Benefit⭐

We're pleased to offer an additional benefit this year. Through a partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation, we have a select number of spots for AGCon attendees to attend its biennial ANIMAL Conference, which will also be held at Oklahoma Contemporary immediately following AGCon 2026, September 18–19, at no extra cost. Together, the back-to-back conferences will create a rare opportunity for attendees of both events to connect, learn, and collaborate across two complementary communities. We hope you will join us at the frontier of animal philanthropy for an extended week of relationship-building, strategic discussion, and shared learning among funders, non-profit leaders, advocates, and movement partners working to improve the lives of animals. Whether attending one conference or both, participants will gain valuable insights, expand their networks, and engage in timely conversations shaping the new frontier of animal protection philanthropy.

We’ll be sharing more details about the program and speakers soon!

Conference Registration Deadline: September 7, 2026

Animal Grantmakers has reserved a block of rooms at the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, a boutique hotel within walking distance of Oklahoma Contemporary. A special discounted rate has been negotiated for Animal Grantmakers Conference attendees and will be available while rooms remain in the block. Visit the Conference Hotel page to learn more and to book your room.