The Latest News
Explore breaking news and recent commentary from the National Community Action Foundation and Community Action Agencies across the country.
June 26, 2025
Carl Howell, Sentinel & Enterprise
“Beyond human services, Community Action Agencies are powerful economic engines. Each year, Community Teamwork alone channels millions of federal and state dollars directly into our local economy — supporting small businesses like fuel providers, general contractors, childcare centers, and property owners. These investments don’t just stabilize families — they sustain local jobs and strengthen the economic infrastructure of entire communities.”
June 25, 2025
Featuring Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency, 99.9Y Country
“Agency Director Kim Smith Oldham tells us federal Community Services Block Grants are the backbone of the organization’s budget.”
June 21, 2025
Tomekia Moore, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
“Across Arkansas, community action is more than just a concept — it’s a lifeline. Every year, thousands of families rely on the critical services made possible by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)…”
June 20, 2025
Featuring South Plains Community Action Association, KTTZ NPR
“Samantha Mendoza is the communications director for SPCAA. She said that when it comes to nonprofits and their programs, a lot of people don’t know where the funding comes from.
“For the most part, it starts at the very top of the Congressional Budget and gets filtered down to government agencies and then down to the states,” Mendoza explained. “But eventually it gets back to us.”
June 3, 2025
Press Release
Statement from National Community Action Foundation CEO David Bradley in response to the release of the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.
“The news that CSBG has been targeted for elimination is blindsiding state and local governments, and organizations across the country, who never thought such a popular program could be targeted for elimination…”
May 21, 2025
Anna Smith, The Morning Call
“Our ability to take a neighborhood-driven approach to community development is dependent on reliable funding. We are fortunate to have incredible supporters at the state and local level, from government to corporate partners and foundations. However, the federal government has provided stable, unwavering support in the form of the Community Services Block Grant since our inception. While not a household name, CSBG funding allows anti-poverty agencies across the country to build programs that are guided by the needs and visions of low-income residents. There is no question that the federal government’s support is vital to the work that we do….”
May 16, 2025
Brian McGrain, Bridge Michigan
“The proverb ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’ underscores the importance of empowering individuals by providing them with skills and knowledge for long-term self-sufficiency rather than offering temporary solutions. Whether you’ve heard of or interacted with your local Community Action Agency or not, this is the essential role these 27 agencies across Michigan serve. But right now, that invaluable role they play in our communities is at risk…”
May 9, 2025
Featuring Community Action Pioneer Valley, Daily Hampshire Gazette
“The budget request, which must be approved by Congress, could have a massive impact on Community Action, according to Executive Director Clare Higgins.
‘I think we would be a much smaller agency,” [Executive Director Clare] Higgins said. “It would be a huge loss to the region.’”