Statement from CEO of the National Community Action Foundation David Bradley

November 13, 2025
Washington, DC
Contact: sarahgrucza@ncaf.org

The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF), the federal advocate for the national network of over a thousand Community Action Agencies, today released the following statement in response to the end of the government shutdown and the passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund federal programs like the Community Services Block Grant, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Head Start through January 30, 2026: 

“The last 43 days have been a challenging time for Community Action Agencies (CAAs). These local poverty-fighting organizations have faced a huge uptick in demand for services ranging from food assistance to rental and heating aid, all while often working without the federal funds they normally rely on. We’re grateful to see the end of the government shutdown and are hopeful that an expeditious release of federal funds will allow CAAs to quickly return to the full range of efficient and effective services they’ve provided for decades.

Thank you to the CAA leaders and staff around the country who rallied to provide services, even if they didn’t know what tomorrow’s funding might look like. We’re also incredibly appreciative of the state and local leaders, who once again proved to be champions of Community Action. And of course, we’re proud that Community Action Agencies and their core funding through the Community Services Block Grant continue to receive bipartisan support.

Our goal remains to lift as many people out of poverty as possible and help them on the road to self-sufficiency. As we look to the future and funding for the rest of FY2026, we look forward to working with all members of Congress to ensure that this vital program continues.”

– David Bradley, CEO and Co-Founder, National Community Action Foundation