New Grant Program Aims to Transform Community Cat Care Across the US

United Spay Alliance has announced the launch of the Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program, a new national initiative aimed at strengthening and expanding humane community cat programming across the United States. With generous funding from the Summerlee Foundation, the program takes a holistic approach by pairing financial support with expert training, mentorship, and practical tools to help animal welfare organizations build sustainable, high-impact TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs.

Applications open July 1 and close July 15, with early applications encouraged due to limited capacity. Interested organizations can learn more and apply at unitedspayalliance.org/summerlee-grants.

This groundbreaking grant program aligns with United Spay Alliance’s mission to increase access to affordable spay/neuter services and proactively prevent animal suffering. It provides a unique opportunity for animal welfare organizations to expand their impact, build long-term capacity, and avoid burnout—all while improving outcomes for both cats and communities.

“By combining targeted funding with hands-on education and mentorship, this program has the power to transform how community cat programs operate,” said Brianna Lovell Myers, Executive Director of United Spay Alliance. “It’s an exciting opportunity to help organizations grow while reducing suffering and saving more lives.”

The Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program is made possible through the visionary support of the Summerlee Foundation, a long-time advocate for free-roaming cats and humane population control. The initiative builds on the Foundation’s Animal Protection Program, which has supported animal welfare for decades, and is informed by Free-Roaming Cat Management: A Funder’s Guide to Better Impact—a 2025 report commissioned by the Foundation that calls for more strategic, systems-level investment in community cat management.

“We’ve funded community cat efforts for years, but this program reflects what we’ve learned about what it truly takes to create lasting change,” said Mitchell Fox, Director of the Animal Protection Program at the Summerlee Foundation. “By combining funding with support, training, and accountability, we’re helping organizations build not just programs, but sustainable solutions. We hope this approach will inspire other funders to think differently about how they invest in animal welfare.”

Grant Program Highlights

• Eligibility: Open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipal agencies, or groups with a fiscal sponsor

• Requirements: Applicants must have an existing or planned community cat program and commit to an 8-week certification course and collaborative learning cohort

• Funding Range: $4,000–$8,000 per award, tailored to each organization’s size, goals, and proposed impact

• Additional Benefits:

  • Full scholarship to a nationally recognized certification program through the University of the Pacific–Benerd College

  • Peer mentorship

  • Ongoing technical support

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through July 15. With limited slots available, early submission is strongly encouraged.

For more information or to apply, visit unitedspayalliance.org/summerlee-grants.