How to Secure Funding, Increase Visibility,
and Build Long-Term Support
Live Masterclasses featuring Stephanie Mathers and Heather Ripley
Hosted by Better Life for Animals
Animal sanctuaries are under increasing financial pressure, yet the need for rescue, care, and advocacy continues to grow. These two live bonus trainings focus on the skills sanctuaries need most right now: securing funding through grants and building visibility through practical PR strategies.
Helping Sanctuaries Be Seen: Practical PR Strategies That Build Support with Heather Ripley, Founder of Ripley PR and Orange Orchard PR
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Funding Compassion: Grant Writing Introduction for Sanctuaries with Stephanie Mathers, Founder and CEO of Grants 4 Animals
Friday, February 27, 2026
10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
What You’ll Learn
- How grant funding works, and what percentage of your sanctuary's operating budget can potentially be covered by grants
- How grant funding complements other funding streams such as sponsorships, memberships, and donations
- What makes a sanctuary grant-ready, and why grant-readiness is the most important stage of grant writing
- How to identify grant opportunities that can fund the programs and projects you need the most
- Grant writing tips, tricks, and hacks specific to sanctuaries that work with farmed animals, equines, wildlife, and other underrepresented species
- How to clearly communicate your sanctuary’s mission in a way that resonates with the public and the media
- Practical PR strategies that help your sanctuary gain visibility without a big budget
- How to position your sanctuary as a trusted, credible resource in your community
- Ways to attract supporters, donors, and volunteers through consistent storytelling
- Simple outreach tactics that build long-term awareness and support for your work
Both sessions are live and include interactive Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions specific to your sanctuary.
Join both live sessions and gain practical tools to strengthen your sanctuary’s funding and visibility.
Heather Ripley is the founder and CEO of Ripley PR, a global public relations agency, and Orange Orchard, an award-winning PR firm specializing in animal advocacy and animal-friendly brands.
With more than 20 years of PR experience, Heather has helped purpose-driven organizations amplify their message and inspire meaningful action. Orange Orchard has worked with organizations such as The Orangutan Project and earned the 2025 Merit Award Gold for Best Public Service Campaign.
Heather is a 2024 PRNews Top Women in Business Entrepreneur, one of ACHR News’ Top Women in HVAC, and the author of NEXT LEVEL NOW: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for Your Home Service Business.
Stephanie Mathers is the Founder and CEO of Grants 4 Animals, a grant writing firm dedicated exclusively to supporting animal nonprofits and sanctuaries. A lifelong animal advocate, she created Grants 4 Animals to align her professional expertise with her commitment to helping animals and the organizations that protect them.
With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit grant writing, Stephanie has helped animal-focused organizations secure over $5 million in grant funding from foundations, corporations, and state and federal sources.
She holds a BA in English and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with an endorsement in Educational Leadership, bringing a practical, systems-based approach to grant readiness and long-term funding sustainability.
