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Matt Ball

b. 1968

American animal activist

Animal rights advocate
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About Matt Ball

Born 1968. Matt Ball is an American animal rights advocate, known for One Step for Animals.

Matthew Michael Ball (born 1968) is an American animal activist. He is co-founder and President of One Step for Animals.

Previously, he was Director of Engagement and Outreach at Farm Sanctuary, and before that, Senior Advisor for VegFund. In 1993, Ball co-founded Vegan Outreach. Ball served as the group's Executive Director for 21 years. Ball is credited with helping shift the animal rights' movement to a more utilitarian focus, particularly with a focus on chickens. He is the co-author of The Animal Activist's Handbook (2009), author of The Accidental Activist (2014), and author of Losing My Religions (2022). He was inducted into the Animal Rights Hall of Fame in 2005.

Biography Ball was born in Toledo, Ohio. Before founding Vegan Outreach, Ball received a bachelor in aerospace engineering in 1991 from the University of Cincinnati, an M.S. in Forest Ecology in 1993 at the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in Engineering and Public Policy in 1997 at Carnegie Mellon University, during which time he was a Department of Energy Global Change Fellow. He also held a research fellowship in the Department of Biology at the University of Pittsburgh. Their child Elwen Katya Green was born on July 16, 1994, in Pennsylvania and was raised as a vegan. They live in Tucson, Arizona.

Ball says: "e must focus on getting people to consider their first step toward compassion, rather than arguing for our current philosophy or diet. Most non-vegetarians tune out when told to go vegan but may consider starting to make changes like adopting Meatless Mondays or eating fewer chickens."

Publications . , Foreword by Peter Singer, Introduction by Paul Shapiro.

Foreword by Ingrid Newkirk.

Foreword by Michael Klaper, M.D.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Animal rights advocate
Nationality
Known for
One Step for Animals
Education
University of Illinois System, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois
Also known as
Matthew Michael Ball

People in Matt Ball's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Matt Ball's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matt Ball?

American animal activist

When was Matt Ball born?

Matt Ball was born on 2 January 1968 in Toledo.

What is Matt Ball's occupation?

Matt Ball is an animal rights advocate.

What is Matt Ball known for?

Matt Ball is known for One Step for Animals.

What nationality is Matt Ball?

Matt Ball is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Matt Ball

· Wikidata: Q6788304

· DBpedia: Matt Ball

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Matt Ball. https://biography.guide/matt-ball-animal-rights-advocate/

MLA: "Matt Ball." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/matt-ball-animal-rights-advocate/.

Chicago: "Matt Ball." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/matt-ball-animal-rights-advocate/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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