Help Spread Compassion for Animals

Farmed animals need people willing to speak up for them—and to make compassionate choices easier for others. CAA helps Minnesotans put empathy for animals into action through education, plant-based food, student leadership, and changes to the systems that shape what people eat.

Your gift can help turn compassion into lasting change. Two donors are each matching eligible gifts dollar for dollar. Up to $5,000 of any individual gift can be matched, with total matching funds capped at $32,000. The first $16,000 in eligible gifts will unlock the full match—so every $1 given brings in $2 in matching funds, for $3 total.

We brought “Be Kind to All Kinds” into public view

This year, CAA completed a public mural in Minnesota celebrating compassion for farmed animals. Its portraits and message, “Be Kind to All Kinds,” invite people to see the animals as individuals in a place they pass every day. A QR code links to stories about each animal and offers ideas for spreading compassion. The mural launch was covered by MplsArt and Southwest Voices, introducing its message to new audiences. The mural is a lasting reminder that animals deserve kindness—and a vivid example of what our community can create when we come together for them.

We brought compassion to classrooms, restaurants, and communities

• In 2026, CAA helped more than 2,500 students connect with their empathy for animals and/or learn about the varied benefits of plant-based eating. At the University of Minnesota, we supported student leaders in creating opportunities for their peers to embrace that empathy and take action.

• We got people to take action for mother pigs by writing more than 1,000 postcards urging legislators to oppose the inclusion of the Save Our Bacon act in the farm bill.

We also made plant-based food more visible and inviting. 

• This year’s Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge supported 28 restaurants in offering a new vegan dish. Among 306 surveyed diners, 47% were not vegan—a sign that the challenge reaches people who may be just beginning to explore plant-based meals.

• At Twin Cities Veg Fest, 68% of non-vegan attendees who answered our impact question said they were more willing to reduce meat, dairy, or eggs after attending. CAA’s social media content also received more than one million views, extending our outreach well beyond in-person events.

• And we launched the Minnesota Plant Protein Pipeline, building a path toward lasting support for plant-protein entrees in Minnesota schools. Legislation to fund this work has been drafted. The next steps include building a statewide coalition, working with pilot districts, and testing meals students enjoy.

These are just some of this year’s accomplishments. With donors and volunteers like you, we made strong progress on our 2024–2026 strategic plan. Nearly 200 community members shared feedback as we shaped bold goals for the years ahead. We’ll share those goals in December. 

Between now and November 19, Give to the Max can Make Your Gift Bigger

 Each time you make a gift during Give to the Max, you could help us win part of the $100,000+ Prize Pool! In fact, there are nearly 150 chances to win during Give to the Max Day and Early Giving, beginning November 1!

Thank you to the Bush Foundation for their continued support of Minnesota nonprofits and schools by sponsoring the prize pool again in 2026. 

CAA has twice won prize grants: your gift will enter us for a chance to win again!

Prize opportunities that could benefit CAA include:

• $500 Early Giving Golden Tickets: Did you know you can make your Give to the Max gifts early? The Give to the Max team starts counting the total and giving out prizes on November 1, and they'll be drawing one gift each day for a $500 Early Giving Golden Ticket. 
  
  

• $500 Golden Tickets every 15 minutes on Give to the Max Day: We're thrilled that the Give to the Max team will be drawing Golden Ticket winners every 15 minutes on November 19! Every 15 minutes is a new chance to win, and we are eligible to win one or more.
  
  

• $1,000 Hourly Golden Tickets on Give to the Max Day: Back again this year, the Give to the Max team is also giving away our traditional $1,000 Hourly Golden Tickets on November 19. If a CAA gift is selected, CAA receives an additional $1,000
  
  

• $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket: The grand prize of Give to the Max, you could turn any gift of $5 or more into $10,000 for CAA! This prize will be drawn from all gifts made during Give to the Max Day and Early Giving, from November 1-19. 

Prefer to make a gift of stock? It will also be matched, and we'll add it to these page metrics once we've received it!

Thank you for being part of our compassionate community!