USG Fort Dodge plant awards $5,000 to Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa

Nonprofit shelter provides safe refuge for homeless dogs and cats, places them in permanent homes; USG employees selected grant recipient

“USG’s grant was a blessing for the shelter as our air handlers that control the heating and cooling for our cat and dog areas were not functioning at full capacity, and the parts and labor estimate we received to get them fixed was just over that amount,” said Ashley Tuttle, Executive Director of Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa. “This grant allowed us to get those air handlers fixed in a timely manner to ensure the animals in our care had the proper heating this winter. We are so thankful for USG!” (Photo courtesy of USG/Almost Home Humane Society)

USG Fort Dodge has announced that the company’s Community Foundation Grant for 2025 has been awarded to Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa, a nonprofit animal shelter providing a safe refuge for homeless dogs and cats, and works to place them in permanent, loving homes.

Through the USG Foundation “Give Local” program, each of the company’s plants annually select a nonprofit in their local community, and direct $5,000 toward that organization’s work.

USG’s Fort Dodge employees nominate and vote on where the donation where will given each year, and this is the second time in three years that Almost Home has been the recipient.

“USG is proud to support the Almost Home Humane Society and the vital work they do for Iowa animals and families here in Fort Dodge,” said USG Fort Dodge Plant Manager Ashley Little. “This contribution reflects our ongoing commitment to stand alongside our community members who make a meaningful difference every day. We encourage anyone looking for a new furry friend to explore this local resource.”

For four decades and counting, Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa has operated an adoption center for dogs and cats from Fort Dodge and the surrounding north-central Iowa region. Acting as a refuge for lost, unwanted, and abandoned cats and dogs, the Society helps educate the community about responsible pet ownership and compassion for all living things. They work to find “forever homes” for every pet that comes through their doors. Emphasizing respect and compassion in how animals are treated, the Society houses dozens of animals at any given time. Staff and volunteers work with animals on socialization and rehabilitation so they are better prepared for adoption.

“USG’s grant was a blessing for the shelter as our air handlers that control the heating and cooling for our cat and dog areas were not functioning at full capacity, and the parts and labor estimate we received to get them fixed was just over that amount,” said Ashley Tuttle, Executive Director of Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa. “This grant allowed us to get those air handlers fixed in a timely manner to ensure the animals in our care had the proper heating this winter. We are so thankful for USG!”

For USG, a company where safety is central to everything it does, supporting Almost Home Humane Society was a natural fit. With two facilities in Iowa (Fort Dodge and Sperry), USG integrates safety into every aspect of its operations, from product development to workplace culture, and extends that same commitment to the well-being of the communities where its employees live and work.

More specifically in Fort Dodge, USG supports events and organizations such as the Frontier Days Parade, Fit Night and the local nature center, as well as partnerships with the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Iowa Central Community College and Fort Dodge Senior High School. The building materials that USG makes are used in hospitals, offices, airports, universities, and homes throughout Iowa and across the country.

USG’s Fort Dodge employees nominate and vote on where the donation where will given each year, and this is the second time in three years that Almost Home has been the recipient. (Photo courtesy of USG/Almost Home Humane Society)