Animal Grantmakers Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Philanthropy infrastructure organization (PIO) for funders of animal protection, as well as individuals or professional services firms that advise and facilitate grants from funders to non-profit organizations whose programs help animals. The organization provides educational programs, information, data, and resources, as well as avenues for connection, coordination, and collaboration.
- Income
- $145,294
- Spending
- $175,662
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 50%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $160,317 spent. Annual Conference: In October 2025, Animal Grantmakers held its 26th annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas, with approximately 70 participants from the U.S., Canada, U.K., Mexico, and Asia. Given Texas' reputation for everything being bigger there, the conference theme - Bigger and Better, Together - explored new and varied ways to collaborate and cooperate to achieve greater impact on behalf of animals. The conference kicked off on October 15 with two field trip choices: 1) Bat World Sanctuary, a sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), and Lake Mineral Wells State Park; and 2) Humane Society of North Texas' Equine Ranch and Saxe Forte Adoption Center (a shorter afternoon-only excursion). It then officially began that evening with a reception at the historic Hilton Fort Worth, where the two days of programming that followed were also held. Featuring experts from academia, science, law, and advocacy speaking on a wide range of animal protection and grantmaking topics, sessions on October 16 discussed: unwantedness and the moral weight of different types of animals; funding to achieve systemic change (drawing on examples of such change for dogs and cats from across the globe); using peer-to-peer grantmaking as the scaling mechanism for lifesaving in companion animal shelters (highlighting several companion animal welfare organizations in Texas); and protecting farm animals in large meat-producing states like Texas. A variety of formats were utilized on day one, including panels, virtual presentations, and several solo "lightning talks" on the following topics: improving animal welfare in aquatic good systems; animals in tourism; mitigating AI safety risks and making AI a positive force for animals; sanctuaries as lifetime care; and protecting animals, protecting people (on the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence). The first day also featured the Fourth Annual Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award, which honored two Animal Grantmakers members: Sue Leary, who had just retired as president of the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation, and Andrew Rowan, president of Wellbeing International and a co-founder of Animal Grantmakers. Both winners were recognized for their many decades of impactful animal advocacy, particularly for their work in advancing alternatives to animal testing in medical research, cosmetics testing, and other industries. Members of GFAS, which decided to hold its board meeting at the Hilton Fort Worth earlier in the week, joined the conference on day one (and for the previous day's field trip to Bat World, which it made possible, and the opening reception), creating additional synergies. A nod to Animal Grantmakers' early years and offering an unparalleled opportunity to learn from each other, the second day of the conference was dedicated to: member-led presentations; interactive discussions; and workshops on how to design smart grants and strategies for identifying high-impact opportunities within one's chosen animal cause area. The final session on October 17, a discussion led by Animal Grantmakers President Bethany Heins, reflected on key insights from the conference and celebrated attendees' collective power to improve the lives of animals. That evening, the conference officially closed out with a gala dinner that included a lively and inspiring keynote delivered by American philosopher and New York University professor, Jeff Sebo, on "working together for all animals." A key takeaway was the opportunity for funders to help even more animals by giving 5% to projects / programs each year outside of their traditional focus areas. For example, if a funder is typically focused exclusively on dogs and cats, it could consider giving 5% of its total grants in a given year to causes that help wild horses, whales, mountain lions, or whatever else may be of concern. The highly successful conference attracted funding from 11 sponsors. Other programming for members: Throughout the year, Animal Grantmakers shared webinars, other field events, articles of interest, books and films, and other content with members on its website, in its member newsletter, AGuardian, and via its listserv. It updated and added new resources in the members-only area of the Animal Grantmakers website, such as white papers and other research. Through its membership in United Philanthropy Forum, Animal Grantmakers passed along additional resources and information to members, including advocacy resources and industry events, as well as discounts on products, services, and subscriptions. It also continued to offer unlimited free subscriptions to Inside Philanthropy (valued at over $500 per subscription) to all active members.
- $120,268 spent. Other programming for members: Throughout the year, Animal Grantmakers shared webinars, other field events, articles of interest, books and films, and other content with members on its website, in its member newsletter, AGuardian, and via its listserv. It updated and added new resources in the members-only area of the Animal Grantmakers website, such as white papers and other research. Through its membership in United Philanthropy Forum, Animal Grantmakers passed along additional resources and information to members, including advocacy resources and industry events, as well as discounts on products, services, and subscriptions. It also continued to offer unlimited free subscriptions to Inside Philanthropy (valued at over $500 per subscription) to all active members.
- $160,317 spent. Other programming for members: Throughout the year, Animal Grantmakers shared webinars, other field events, articles of interest, books and films, and other content with members on its website, in its member newsletter, AGuardian, and via its listserv. It updated and added new resources in the members-only area of the Animal Grantmakers website, such as white papers and other research. Through its membership in United Philanthropy Forum, Animal Grantmakers passed along additional resources and information to members, including advocacy resources and industry events, as well as discounts on products, services, and subscriptions. It also continued to offer unlimited free subscriptions to Inside Philanthropy (valued at over $500 per subscription) to all active members.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2016.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.