Funders, advocates, and field leaders gathered in Oklahoma City to examine emerging challenges, opportunities, and strategies for advancing animal protection through philanthropy

 

Animal Grantmakers, philanthropy’s leading affinity group for animal funders, convened leaders in animal philanthropy, advocacy, and related fields in Oklahoma City September 15–17 for the 2026 Animal Grantmakers Conference (AGCon), themed The Frontier of Animal Philanthropy. AGCon is an annual gathering focused on strengthening the effectiveness and impact of funding for animals of all types.

Held at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, the conference brought together animal-focused funders and nonprofit leaders for a program examining the evolving animal protection landscape, emerging opportunities for philanthropic impact, and ways grantmakers can respond to some of the field’s most complex challenges. Speakers included Drew Edmondson, former Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma; journalist, author, and animal advocate Jane Velez-Mitchell; Matt Dominguez, U.S. director of Compassion in World Farming; and several other leaders from across animal philanthropy, advocacy, public policy, and the larger animal protection movement.

Throughout AGCon, speakers and participants explored how philanthropy can help shape the next chapter of animal protection, including:

  • The state of the animal protection ecosystem – from animals in our homes and communities to those in the wild, in labs, on farms, and at work and in entertainment – including emerging needs and opportunities for funders;
  • Strategies for increasing philanthropic impact, including practical approaches to grantmaking, innovation, and collaboration across the field;
  • Artificial intelligence and emerging technology, including their potential benefits and risks for philanthropy and animal protection;
  • Public policy, advocacy, and systems change as tools for improving outcomes for animals;
  • Supporting journalism and other media that raise awareness of animal issues and the people and organizations working to address them;
  • Knowing when and how to take action for lasting change while sustaining optimism and momentum toward a safer and kinder world for animals.

“AGCon continues to demonstrate the value of bringing animal funders together, not simply to exchange information, but to think collectively about where our field is going and how philanthropy can help move it forward,” said Stien van der Ploeg, chair of the 2026 Animal Grantmakers Conference, executive director of Animal Charity Evaluators, and an Animal Grantmakers board member. “The challenges facing animals are significant, but so are the opportunities for funders to be thoughtful, strategic, and ambitious about the change we can help make possible. The conversations and connections in Oklahoma City reflected a philanthropic community that is increasingly committed to learning from one another and strengthening its collective impact.”

During the conference, Animal Grantmakers presented the 2026 Animal Grantmakers Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award, now in its fifth year, to pioneering animal law attorney and advocate Joyce Tischler, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the animal protection movement. Known as “The Mother of Animal Law,” Tischler is widely regarded as one of the founders of the field of animal law and has spent decades advancing the legal interests and protection of animals.

After earning her law degree in 1977, Tischler co-founded the Animal Legal Defense Fund in 1979, the first nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting animals through the legal system. Tischler also played an important role in the growth of animal law education, including decades of involvement with Lewis & Clark Law School. She supported the development of its Animal Law Review and student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter, and helped establish the Center for Animal Law Studies in 2008.

The conference concluded with a Frontier Film Festival featuring three short films exploring the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence for animals:

Through Animal Grantmakers’ partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation, a longtime member, AGCon attendees also had the opportunity to participate in the ANIMAL Conference, held September 18–19, also at Oklahoma Contemporary. The biennial educational event is hosted by the foundation as part of its Safe and Humane initiative.

Animal Grantmakers gratefully recognizes the philanthropic partners and sponsors whose support helped make its 2026 conference possible: