Animal Grantmakers, a group of funders working together to create real and lasting change for animals, offers an annual conference for its current and prospective members to convene and participate in learning opportunities to strengthen their practice and grow their professional network. Normally held in person each fall in a different city rich in animal-protection expertise, the premier offering will take place virtually this year on October 28 and 29.

CONNECTION: The 2020 Animal Grantmakers Virtual Conference will focus on bonding with colleagues old and new, sharing knowledge and ideas, and learning from experts (and artists, too!). Complimentary to all attendees this year, and sponsored by Life of Riley at Spring Point, Kirkpatrick Foundation, Maddie’s Fund®, PetSmart Charities® and The Summerlee Foundation, the conference will help expand visions and develop grantmaking strategies to confront some of the biggest challenges in animal philanthropy.

CONNECTION will kick off with the Animal Grantmakers 2020 Annual Meeting (members only) on October 28, followed by a sector-wide discussion about guidelines for assessing diversity, equity, and inclusion on grant applications, and a virtual happy hour for all registrants later that afternoon.

To date, the following speakers are confirmed to present on October 29:

Animal Grantmakers hopes that its 2021 conference will return to its regular format – four days of gathering in informal settings, networking and hearing from some of the leading experts in the field of animal protection on a wide variety of subjects relevant to funders – and take place in Toronto.

Over the past two decades, conference sessions have covered topics such as collaborative approaches to the surplus companion animal problem, wildlife protection and environmental conservation, animal hoarding, and the impact of euthanasia and laboratory animal treatment on animal care workers.

Registration for the 2020 Animal Grantmakers Virtual Conference is now open. Participation is limited to members of Animal Grantmakers and organizations that are primarily grantmakers. Funders who are interested in learning more about Animal Grantmakers and attending the conference should contact membership@animalgrantmakers.org.