2026 Animal Grantmakers Conference - Oklahoma City

Animal Grantmakers is a group of foundations, other grantmaking organizations and individuals engaged in grantmaking that benefits animals.

This diverse group of philanthropists works locally, regionally, nationally and internationally on issues involving companion animals, captive and free-ranging wildlife, farmed animals and animals used in research, among others. Conference registration is limited to foundations, grantmakers, philanthropists and other funding organizations that focus on, or have an interest in, animal protection efforts. Advisors to animal protection funders may also be eligible. To learn more, please contact membership@animalgrantmakers.org.

• Conference Hotel Room Block Deadline: August 24, 2026

• Conference Registration Deadline: September 7, 2026.

Animal Grantmakers’ 2026 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, research 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.

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.

Conference 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 5th Annual Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award presentation.

• 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 for a select number of people to attend the ANIMAL Conference immediately following AGCon, September18-19, through a partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation. A special AG Ticket is required.

Book your hotel reservations at The Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City: BOOK ONLINE or CALL 405-590-4714. If you wish to book nights other than what is shown online, book the nights listed and then email or call Ambassador Hotel Sales Manager, Connie Cuellar, to get Animal Grantmakers' rate for pre-or post-conference nights: 405-590-4714 or ccuellar@couryh.com

The negotiated/discounted room block rate of $249/night (plus taxes) closes on Monday, August 24, 2026. After this date, contact Lisa Rapps, Lisa@animalgrantmakers.org for possible availability.

ADDRESS

1200 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIMES

3PM Check In; 11AM Check out

PARKING

Valet parking $25/night. On-site self parking is not available. Street parking is limited and subjected to city meter rules (enforced 7 AM–6 PM, Mon–Sat). Additional reserved parking for hotel guests is nearby in the hotel lot on NW 12the Street, between N. Hudson Ave. and N Walker Ave.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Ambassador Hotel offers accessible rooms and features. Read more.

SMOKING

This property is 100% Non-Smoking. Smoking vapors are also prohibited.

PET-FRIENDLY

The Ambassador Hotel is pet friendly! Up to two dogs are permitted per room for a one-time $100 USD non-refundable fee; 50 pound maximum. The hotel offers pet-friendly rooms in this Midtown location, provides treats upon check-in, and features nearby walking spots and a dog park within a mile.

Please help us cover our 2026 Conference costs!

Historically, annual membership has included two complimentary conference registrations (and one complimentary registration for associate members). To help protect the quality and sustainability of the event while keeping membership dues as low as possible, we are introducing a suggested minimum conference registration contribution of $100 per attendee (for the first two attendees from each regular member organization and for the first attendee from each associate member organization).

Members may choose to contribute more, less, or $0 based on their circumstances, but we encourage those who are able to support the conference at or above the suggested $100 contribution level to do so. Includes all sessions, breakfasts, lunches, opening reception, and gala dinner.

Because Animal Grantmakers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your donation is tax-deductible.

Thank you very much for your support!

All conference participants, including speakers and moderators, are expected to abide by Animal Grantmakers’ Conference Code of Conduct, which states:

Animal Grantmakers (an affinity group for animal protection funders) honors the intrinsic dignity, autonomy, potential, and worth of all people; and values the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences of its audience.

The Animal Grantmakers Annual Conference is intended to provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for funders of animal protection and causes that intersect with animal issues to: network; hear from leading experts on many challenging issues, topics, and trends relevant to their funding activities; and, enhance their grantcraft.

To that end, this conference promotes an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, supportive, collaborative, and productive for all participants, including speakers, attendees, vendors, sponsors, and staff/consultants.

To ensure a successful conference, all participants are expected to abide by the following principles:

• Kindness and courtesy toward fellow participants

• Open and respectful communication

• Respect for diversity of opinions

• Professionalism

Animal Grantmakers, and its agents, may take any action deemed necessary, including immediate removal from the conference without warning or refund, against any participant who engages in inappropriate behavior.

Join us as a sponsor of the 2026 Animal Grantmakers Conference. Providing funding for the conference offers the opportunity to play a key role in advancing collaboration and impact across the animal philanthropy community while helping make this important convening possible. Learn more here about conference Sponsorship Opportunities.

To sponsor the conference or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email communications@animalgrantmakers.org.

Learn More: https://animalgrantmakers.org/

Note: the Animal Grantmakers Conference is not open to the general public. Participation is limited to members of Animal Grantmakers and to organizations that are primarily grantmakers.

Non-members attending AGCon for the first time in 2026 and that become members of Animal Grantmakers by September 30, 2027 will receive a credit of up to $700 on their 2027 membership dues. To learn more about membership, contact membership@animalgrantmakers.org.