2026 ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative (NTSI) Quality of Life Grant

Timeframe: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 9 a.m. CT - Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT

The Northern Tier Shelter Initiative (NTSI) is accepting applications from brick-and-mortar animal shelters in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to improve the quality of life for animals in their care by installing new cat or dog housing units (or upgrading existing ones) to meet Key Statements from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (ASV Guidelines).

Grant funds can be used to address one or more relevant animal housing Key Statements from the ASV Guidelines. Relevant Key Statements can be found in the Companion Guide and QoL ASV Worksheet.

Grant Amounts

Individual grant amounts will range from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000.

Eligibility

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans. We invite all voices to join us in working together to improve the lives of animals in need.

Applicants must operate a brick-and-mortar animal shelter located in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.

Applicants must meet ASPCA Grantee Organizational Standards:

If a past ASPCA grant recipient, must be current on all reporting requirements for such grant
If a nonprofit organization:
- Must be an incorporated or organized legal entity in good standing with the Secretary of State in the state where the organization is incorporated or organized
- Must have a board of at least 4 members with a majority of independent members with neither board chair nor treasurer receiving compensation from the organization
- Must have a current/active charitable registration in the state of the Grantee’s primary location (for grants ≥ $25,000)

Applicants must meet the ASPCA NTSI program’s shelter standards:

Must strive to adhere to the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
Must follow or be willing to implement a vaccinate on intake policy in adherence to the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
Must report monthly data to the ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative coalition in Shelter Animals Count
An onsite visit to your facility by a NTSI team member may be required

Detailed Requirements

See Companion Guide

Funding Restrictions and Parameters

Brick and mortar shelters (nonprofit or municipal) in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Strong Proposals Should

Align funding need with the ASV Guidelines Key Statement categories outlined in the Companion Guide and QoL ASV Worksheet
Clearly identify the ASV Guidelines Key Statement(s) you are aiming to improve upon
Clearly and succinctly outline the program or project
Quantify the expected impact
Describe any expected barriers and how you plan to overcome them
Declare how much this project will cost in total, how much is requested and how the funds will be used
Share how the work might continue beyond the grant term, including how you will financially sustain any practices that result in ongoing expenses beyond the requested funding amount

Fund Use Examples from Past Grantees

Portals to retrofit cat housing to have double compartments
Pass-through, saloon or Guillotine doors to retrofit dog kennels to have double compartments
New cat or dog housing units that meet the ASV guidelines
Housing units that allow dogs or cats to make normal postures (e.g., sitting, standing, stretching, scratching, climbing, perching, laying down).

Timeline

RFP will open on May 4, 2026, at 9 a.m. CT
RFP will close on May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT

How to Apply

Applications must be completed in one session. You cannot save your work or revise a submitted application.

Submit Your Application

To aid in your process, NTSI is offering two free “office hours” sessions on May 12, 2026, and May 20, 2026, to answer frequently asked questions about the ASV housing guidelines and the grant application process.

We encourage applicants to utilize this QoL ASV Worksheet developed by NTSI to help your agency determine which animal housing area(s) are in most need of improvement and to strengthen compliance with the ASV Guidelines.

Please be sure all requested information is included in your responses. Applications cannot be revised after submission.

Helpful Resources

Contact and Support

For program-related inquiries, please contact ntsi.aspca@aspca.org
For application submission inquiries/technical difficulties, please contact ntsi.aspca@aspca.org.