Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program

United Spay Alliance’s Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program, launched with founding support from the Summerlee Foundation, is designed to strengthen and expand community cat spay/neuter efforts across the United States.

These grants are more than just funding for spay/neuter—they are a comprehensive program combining financial support, education, and mentorship to help organizations build sustainable, humane community cat programs. Through targeted funding, structured training, and ongoing guidance, the Sustainable Solutions Grant Program empowers organizations to increase their capacity, strengthen their operations, and expand their impact. Whether your organization is already actively involved in TNR or looking to scale your efforts, this program is here to support your growth while saving more lives in your community.

What This Grant Supports

The Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program supports targeted, measurable projects that strengthen and expand your existing community cat work while increasing your organization’s capacity and efficiency.

This program is not intended to replace your ongoing TNR efforts but to help you pilot or scale a focused project that demonstrates effective strategies within your current program framework.

You don't need a project to apply. Grantees develop their targeted project during the certification course, using what they learn, and then submit a funding proposal for approval. The examples below show the kinds of projects grantees build.

Examples of projects grantees develop:

• Targeted TNR in a high-need zip code to reduce intake and complaints.
• Outreach campaigns to engage community participation in TNR.
• Building or refining processes to reduce barriers to spay/neuter access.
• Tracking and evaluating data to measure program effectiveness.

Projects should:

• Align with current, accepted best practices in humane, effective community cat management.
• Focus on increasing your impact while reducing burnout and inefficiencies.
• Create learning opportunities that strengthen your organization for the long term.

*Please note that grant funds must be used to support direct community cat programming and related costs. Reasonable indirect costs that directly support your community cat programming (e.g., labor for TNR staff, program-related marketing, and surgical supplies) may be included.

Indirect costs unrelated to your community cat program—such as general administrative salaries, office rent for unrelated departments, or organization-wide overhead—are not permitted and could disqualify the grantee from receiving future funding.

Detailed budget guidelines are shared with grantees when project proposals open.

Grant Application Requirements

• Be a 501(c)(3), municipal entity, or have a fiscal sponsor.
• Have an active or planned community cat program.
• Designate one representative who will complete the 8-week certification course, attend cohort calls, and serve as your main contact.
• Be willing to track and report organizational metrics, including cats sterilized, areas served, people assisted, outreach conducted, and other metrics as requested.

Nonprofits must have a claimed and updated GuideStar (Candid) profile to apply. Municipal and government entities are exempt from this requirement.

Before You Apply

The application is open for two weeks only, so gather these ahead of time:

• Your mission statement
• Your Candid (GuideStar) profile link and EIN (nonprofits)
• Fiscal sponsor name and EIN (fiscally sponsored projects)
• Your most recent IRS filing type and year
• Your total annual operating budget
• Your course representative's name, title, and email, plus their confirmation that they can commit to the schedule
• Financial documents showing what you budgeted and what you actually took in and spent, for your last completed fiscal year and the current year to date:
  • If you use accounting software (QuickBooks, Aplos, Xero, etc.), a budget vs. actuals report from it
  • If you don't, your budget and an income and expense statement (profit & loss) prepared by your treasurer or bookkeeper
  • If you have neither, our budget and actuals template

If someone other than your course representative is writing your application, have your representative review it before you submit. They're the person completing the course and serving as our main contact, so your team should be on the same page.

Why Apply?

Funding is just one piece of the Summerlee Sustainable Solutions Grant Program. This opportunity is designed to advance and elevate your community cat program by providing not only financial support but also crucial tools, mentoring, and structured learning to help your organization maximize its impact.

This grant offers a 360-degree, holistic approach to advancing your TNR efforts by:

• Guiding you to increase efficiency, save resources, and streamline workflows.
• Helping you build sustainable systems to serve more cats with less burnout.
• Providing access to expert-led mentoring and peer learning opportunities.
• Equipping you with best practices in outreach, fundraising, and data tracking.
• Empowering you to save more lives and reduce suffering in your community.

When you apply, you’re not just applying for funding. You are stepping into a supportive, structured pathway with comprehensive education that helps your organization grow, scale, and become a leader in humane, effective community cat programming.

How the Program Works

Here’s what you can expect if you are accepted into the Sustainable Solutions Grant Program:

Application period: November 8–22, 2026
The application is open for two weeks only. We encourage you to submit early so there's time to sort out any technical issues before the deadline. Late applications can't be accepted.

Selection by January 8, 2027
Selected organizations are notified and receive next steps for onboarding.

Certification course: February 1 – March 29, 2027
Your representative completes the 8-week virtual University of the Pacific-Benerd College Community Cat Program Management Certification Course.

Project proposals due March 29, 2027
Using what you learned in the course, you'll develop a targeted project and submit a funding proposal. Proposals are reviewed, and grant amounts are awarded based on merit.

Project proposals approved by April 10, 2027 and funds disbursed
Proposals are reviewed, and grant amounts are awarded based on merit.

Project implementation and cohort calls begin the week after the course completes
You'll carry out your project while joining biweekly virtual cohort calls for mentorship, troubleshooting, and peer learning.

Wrap-up and final report due no later than July 15, 2027
Projects are completed and a brief final report is submitted.

What Grantees Will Receive

Grant Funding: Awards typically range from $4,000–$8,000 to support spay/neuter for community cats, program development, and outreach initiatives. Award amounts are based on the project proposal you submit, your organization's size and capacity, and your representative's engagement in the course, including attendance, participation, and completed assignments. Funds are released after course completion and project approval.

University of the Pacific-Benerd College Community Cat Program Management Certification Course: Grant recipients will receive full tuition for one representative to attend a comprehensive, nationally recognized 8-week virtual certification program. This course equips you with the tools, systems, and strategies to build a sustainable, effective community cat program and earns you a professional certification in community cat program management.

Mentoring and Support: Access to mentoring and peer learning opportunities facilitated through United Spay Alliance, ensuring you have guidance and community as you grow your impact.

Resource Access: Templates, tracking tools, and fundraising resources to help you increase your efficiency, community visibility, and effectiveness in serving cats.

What’s Required of Grantees

If awarded a Sustainable Solutions Grant, grantees must:

• Use grant funds specifically to strengthen or grow their community cat program, with a focus on maximizing capacity, efficiency, and impact.
• Track and report key organizational metrics related to the grant, including (but not limited to) the number of cats served, community outreach conducted, and geographic impact. Brief monthly updates and a final summary report are required.
• Complete the 8-week certification program (or have an approved representative attend) to build long-term program capacity.
• Participate in bi-weekly calls as part of a collaborative learning cohort.
• Meet minimum attendance requirements for certification course and cohort calls.

To maintain eligibility for future funding opportunities through the Sustainable Solutions Grant Program and United Spay Alliance, organizations must meet all grant requirements, including timely reporting and participation in required activities.

 

FAQs

Q: What exactly is the University of the Pacific-Benerd College (UoP) Certification?
A: The Community Cats Program Management Certification is an eight-week course offered by Community Cats Central in partnership with the University of the Pacific-Benerd College. This comprehensive course is the first of its kind to empower both professional staff and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to implement a robust and effective community cat program in their community.  

Q: If I already have the UOP Certification, can I submit an application?
A: Yes, and we encourage it. Your course representative needs to be someone who hasn't completed the course yet, so you'll designate another person from your organization to take it with this cohort. Your certified team members are a great resource for them along the way.

Q: Do I have to take the certification course when it's scheduled, or can I receive the grant and take it later?
A: Participation in the certification course is required and takes place on a fixed schedule tied to the grant cycle. This program follows a specific timeline, and completing the course as scheduled ensures that your organization stays on track with the grant’s collaborative phases. This cycle's course runs February 1 – March 29, 2027

Q: Can multiple people attend the class on behalf of our organization?
A: No. We require one dedicated individual to represent the organization and complete the course. This person will serve as the program’s main point of contact throughout the grant cycle.

Q: Can I receive funding without taking the course if I have previously received a Summerlee grant?
A: No. The Sustainable Solutions Grant Program is separate from other Summerlee Foundation grants, and course completion is required for every grantee. If your organization has received Summerlee funding before, you're welcome to apply. Your representative will complete the certification course with this cohort.

Q: What if our organization cannot start the project within the given timelines?
A: This grant program is structured around a sequential timeline, with a required certification course followed by project planning and implementation. This cycle's dates are listed under How the Program Works, and grantees should expect to move through each phase in close succession with limited flexibility for delays. If your organization anticipates scheduling conflicts or delays, it may affect your eligibility for the cycle. We encourage applicants to assess their readiness before applying.

Q: Is funding provided upfront or reimbursed over time?
A: Funds are released after your representative completes the certification course and your project proposal is approved. Disbursement details are shared with grantees at that stage.

Q: What types of expenses can the grant cover?
A: Eligible expenses include spay/neuter services, outreach and education, staff support related to the program, and other direct costs tied to your implementation plan. Specific budget guidelines are shared with grantees when project proposals are being developed.

Q: Can we apply if we are a small or all-volunteer organization?
A: Yes. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to apply. The key requirement is having the capacity to participate fully in the training, mentoring, and implementation phases.

Q: Can we submit more than one application if we manage multiple programs?
A: No. Only one application per organization will be accepted. Choose the program or area that best represents your strategic focus and potential for impact.

Q: Do we need a project idea to apply?
A: No. You'll develop your project during the certification course and submit a funding proposal afterward. We're most interested in your organization's needs, readiness, and openness to learning.

Q: Someone other than our course representative is writing our application. Is that okay?
A: Yes, as long as your team is coordinated. Your representative completes the course, attends cohort calls, and serves as our main contact, so they should review your application and confirm they can commit to the schedule before you submit.

Q: We're a municipal or government entity. Do we need a Candid (GuideStar) profile or an EIN?
A: No. Choose "Not applicable" for the Candid question and enter N/A for the profile link and EIN.

Q: We don't use accounting software. What financial documents should we send?
A: Upload your budget and an income and expense statement prepared by your treasurer or bookkeeper. If you don't have those, download and complete our budget and actuals template.

Q: When will we hear back?
A: Selected organizations will be notified by January 8, 2027.

Got more questions? Email summerleegrants@unitedspayalliance.org