New Grant Program for Community Cats
I was asked to pass this press release along to my cat people by the United Spay Alliance and Feline Fix By Five:
United Spay Alliance launches holistic initiative to strengthen community cat management efforts nationwide, with support from the Summerlee Foundation
Dallas, TX (July 1, 2025) — United Spay Alliance has launched the Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program, a new national initiative designed to strengthen and expand humane community cat programming across the United States. With generous support from the Summerlee Foundation, the program offers a holistic approach that combines targeted financial support with expert training, mentorship, and practical tools to help organizations build sustainable, high-impact TNR programs.
Applications will be accepted July 1-15, and organizations are encouraged to apply early to secure their spot. To learn more or apply, visit unitedspayalliance.org/summerlee-grants.
This program reflects United Spay Alliance’s mission to increase access to affordable spay/neuter and proactively prevent animal suffering. It offers a unique opportunity for organizations to build capacity, reduce burnout, and enhance long-term impact – all while continuing to serve cats and communities more effectively.
“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 at United Spay Alliance. “It’s an exciting opportunity to help organizations grow while reducing suffering and saving more lives.”
This 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 decades-long Animal Protection Program and is informed by Free-Roaming Cat Management: A Funder’s Guide to Better Impact, a report commissioned by the Summerlee Foundation and released in early 2025, which 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.”
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipal agencies, or those with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must have an existing or planned community cat program and be willing to participate in both an 8-week certification course and a collaborative learning cohort.
Grant awards will typically range from $4,000–$8,000, tailored to meet each organization’s size, goals, and proposed impact. In addition to funding, grantees will receive a scholarship for a nationally recognized certification program through University of the Pacific-Benerd College, along with peer mentorship, and ongoing technical support.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until July 15, and space is limited.
The Summerlee Foundation is a mission-driven, private charitable foundation based in Texas, dedicated to the well-being of animals and the advancement of historical preservation. Since its founding in 1988, the Foundation has been a leading supporter of humane, science-based approaches to animal welfare, with a particular emphasis on advancing the care and protection of free-roaming and companion animals. By investing in innovative programs, policy change, and capacity-building, the Summerlee Foundation seeks to create a more compassionate and sustainable world for all animals. Learn more at www.summerlee.org.
About United Spay AllianceUnited Spay Alliance (USA) envisions a future where every cat and dog has a loving home. We work to make this a reality by championing affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services. Through proactive prevention, we aim to stop animal suffering before it begins. USA maintains a nationwide directory of low-cost spay/neuter services , fosters collaboration through the State Leader Network, and empowers veterinarians with programs like HQHVSN wet labs and Feline Fix by Five. In 2024, USA launched United We Spay, a monthly podcast sharing inspiring stories from the spay/neuter movement. Learn more at unitedspayalliance.org or follow @UnitedSpayAlliance on Facebook and Instagram.
Brianna Lovell Myers (she/her)Executive Director | United Spay AllianceEmail: brianna@unitedspayalliance.org
Work: (240) 415-8852 | Cell: (301) 592-7132Websites: unitedspayalliance.org | felinefixbyfive.orgPodcast: United We Spay — Inspiring stories from the s/n movement. *** Fix For Life. Because fixing is more than a procedure — it’s a promise.
