What We Do

The principal purpose of Animal Grantmakers is to create opportunities for communication and association between grantmaking professionals and trustees engaged in animal protection funding, making our work more effective and responsive to the communities we serve.

To accomplish this we:

• Identify and discuss current and emerging issues and trends within the broad field of animal protection.
• Research funding patterns and animal-related issues, needs and initiatives that may be under-funded, but where programmatic success may have a far-reaching impact on the lives of animals.
• Reach out to like-minded foundations and other organizations to join us in raising awareness of and promoting respect for animal protection and animal-centered philanthropy.

Activities

Animal Grantmakers holds an Annual Conference in a different city each November, providing the opportunity for our members and prospective members to meet for two days of briefings and networking. The Conference is not open to grantseekers (other than those invited as presenters), creating a setting where grantmakers can share ideas and conversations among peers. Conference presentations provide timely education about emerging issues and trends in animal protection.

The Annual Business Meeting of the Animal Grantmakers is held each year in conjunction with the Conference. The composition of the Animal Grantmakers Board of Directors, member guidelines changes, budgets and other business matters are considered during this meeting.

Other opportunities for networking, sharing information, and exploration of collaborative efforts are available through the group’s Listserv and members-only Directory.

Animal Grantmakers commissions studies that document the geographic coverage, topical scope, and financial significance of grantmaking on behalf of animals. This data can be helpful for funders wishing to consider new or expanded initiatives to address areas of critical need.

Members can offer one-on-one assistance to new foundations or existing foundations new to animal protection philanthropy, helping to identify those facets of the world of animals that will best fulfill these foundations’ particular missions and interests.

As Animal Grantmakers evolves, we anticipate that it will increase efforts to promote animal philanthropy to other funders and to the public.