United Spay Alliance is proud to offer Community Cats Grants to support spay/neuter programs for community cats.

Formerly managed by Community Cats Podcast, the Community Cats Grants program was designed to help small organizations build their fundraising capacity to help even more cats.

Grants are targeted toward grassroots TNR groups, rescue organizations, and low-cost spay/neuter providers.

There are two grant cycles per year. Our application deadlines are:

Spring/Summer: Applications for the spring/summer cycle are due by March 31.
Fall/Winter: Applications for the fall/winter cycle are due by August 31.

This is a matching grant opportunity. If selected, grantees must create and implement a brand-new fundraiser. Grantees must raise $2,000 (net) to receive a matching grant of $2,000 from United Spay Alliance.

Want to Apply for a Grant? Start Here!

Watch our recorded webinar at the bottom of this page for an in-depth look at the application process and what to expect. You can also download our Community Cats Grants Overview for Applicants for key information, eligibility guidelines, and tips for a successful application.

Download the Overview for Applicants

Grant Funding Guidelines

Funding must be used to support spay/neuter programs for community cats.

Funds may be used to offset the direct costs of spay/neuter surgery for individual cats.
On a case-by-case basis, funding may also be approved to support the overall spay/neuter program (e.g. purchasing surgical equipment or clinic supplies) provided it directly benefits community cats.
Funding cannot be used for unrelated medical costs.
Funding cannot be used to purchase traps for TNR.

Definition of a Community Cat

A community cat is defined as “any cat from a targeted area that is free-roaming.” If a cat is outdoors and unsterilized, it is considered a candidate for funding.

Grant Recipient Responsibilities

Those participating in the Community Cats Grants program are strongly encouraged to attend monthly support calls (3) throughout the fundraising period.
Timely submission of required reports is mandatory.

Reapplying for Funding

Prior grant recipients are welcome to re-apply for the grants program if they have a new fundraiser in mind.
Given the high volume of applications, priority may be given to first-time applicants.
Organizations are generally limited to receiving funding a maximum of two times.

We aim to fund as many qualified applicants as possible, but funding is limited each year. We are grateful for the donations we receive, which allow us to continue our work to promote affordable, accessible spay/neuter services throughout the United States.

The ideal applicant:

Is a US-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been in operation at least 2 years
Is a small, grassroots organization with annual revenue which does not greatly exceed $150,000
Has claimed and updated their organization’s Candid GuideStar profile with current information (Bronze Seal or above preferred)
Has an established, active trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for community cats
Does NOT routinely combo test community cats (i.e. does not routinely test for FIV/FeLV)
Enforces spay/neuter before adoption (if they have an adoption program), including pediatric spay/neuter beginning at two months or two pounds
Will embrace the opportunity to create a brand-new fundraising event with the support of United Spay Alliance and other grantees

Other considerations:

Availability of TNR information on the organization’s website and social media
Responsiveness to calls and emails
Prior participation in the Community Cats Grants program
- Organizations are generally limited to receiving funding a maximum of two times
- Past recipients must wait at least one full grant cycle before reapplying and may not participate in consecutive rounds

Ready to Apply?

Applications submitted for consideration in March will receive a response by the end of April. Applications submitted for consideration in August will receive a response by the end of September.

Please submit only one application per organization. Do not reapply or enter duplicate information. If you have questions or would like to check the status of your application, please contact us via our contact page and we’ll be happy to help you.

Apply Here

Application 101: Community Cats Grants Overview and Cool Tools

Updated for 2025! The webinar below was recorded in March 2025 to provide more information about the Community Cats Grants program and application process. Tune in for answers to frequently asked questions, and to see whether this program might be a good fit for your organization. Plus, some cool tools and unique ideas sure to boost anyone’s fundraising!

BONUS content! Check out the webinar on ChatGPT to see how easy it is to use AI to power your mission (and how it might even help you on your next grant application).