Statement from National Community Action Foundation CEO David Bradley on the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request

April 3, 2026
Washington, DC

The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF), the federal advocate for the national network of Community Action Agencies, today released the following statement from CEO David Bradley:

“It is deeply disappointing to see the President’s proposed budget eliminate funding for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), a program that has long earned strong bipartisan support, including among the 119th Congress, and has broad support in communities across the country.

It’s clear the Administration doesn’t understand what Community Action Agencies actually do. Today’s budget proposal is a repeat of a tired DEI-centered argument that has proven untrue and has already been rigorously rejected by Congressional leaders from both political parties. 

CSBG is a fiscally responsible, locally controlled program that helps more than 10 million Americans work toward greater economic independence. With a relatively modest federal investment, it gives states and communities the flexibility to address local needs, reduce barriers to work and stability, and support families on a path to self-sufficiency.

For decades, Community Action Agencies have used CSBG funds to deliver practical, community-based solutions — from employment and workforce support to food assistance, emergency services, and disaster response. These agencies are accountable to the communities they serve and operate with strong oversight, local governance, and a clear focus on results. They have boards comprised of local officials, private-sector leaders, and community representatives — all of whom are tasked with ensuring the best use of federal funds. 

CSBG has often been recognized as a model for how federal resources can support state and local leadership rather than impose one-size-fits-all solutions from Washington. It reflects values that have traditionally drawn support across party lines: efficiency, flexibility, local decision-making, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

We encourage the Administration to take a closer look at the impact of the Community Services Block Grant and the role it plays in helping communities respond to local challenges. Community Action Agencies across the country stand ready with their doors wide open. We welcome members of this Administration to come and visit to see in person what this work is all about  — helping hardworking Americans on a path to self-sufficiency. We are confident that a fuller review would reinforce what many members of Congress, local leaders, and community stakeholders already know: CSBG is an effective and worthwhile investment that should be preserved.

We urge Congress to reject once again the Administration’s short-sighted request to eliminate funding for the Community Services Block Grant, which would cause irreparable harm to communities across the country.”

About the National Community Action Foundation

The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) is the trusted, independent voice for America’s Community Action Agencies in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1981 by advocates determined to protect and strengthen the Community Action network, NCAF has spent more than four decades ensuring that locally‑led, accountable, and efficient solutions to economic hardship have a seat at the federal table.

We work not just with political leaders, but across sectors and across the country to protect the tools communities need to solve problems — whether that’s job training in rural counties, small business support in urban neighborhoods, or housing stability in towns hit by economic change. Our impact is quiet but powerful: CSBG reaches over 10 million people each year, with low administrative costs and a high return‑on‑investment. Learn more at NCAF.org.