“I have been dedicated to this work for the past 46 years; that dedication won’t change even as my role with NCAF adjusts to make space for a new leadership that I trust will bring passion and the critical strategy needed to move our network through the coming challenges.”
Statement from CEO of the National Community Action Foundation David Bradley
March 20, 2026
Washington, DC
The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF), the federal advocate for the national network of Community Action Agencies, today released the following abridged statement from CEO David Bradley, originally shared at NCAF’s 2026 Washington Conference:
“In 2027, I will begin to transition the leadership of the National Community Action Foundation to new leaders.
I was deeply committed to Community Action even long before I co-founded NCAF in 1981. It’s been my honor to ensure Community Action Agencies continue to be a critical and effective means of helping hardworking Americans achieve self-sufficiency, and I have no intention of stopping that work.
This is not a retirement announcement but rather I felt it was critical to share that, in partnership with the board, we have a well-developed and thorough plan to transition my formal role at NCAF down the road.
I have been dedicated to this work for the past 46 years; that dedication won’t change even as my role with NCAF adjusts to make space for a new leadership that I trust will bring passion and the critical strategy needed to move our network through the coming challenges.
We are lucky that there is excellent talent that has worked with the NCAF team, appreciates and embodies the value of the network, and has the Capitol Hill experience needed to take on the leadership of this organization. I will work closely with the new team to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Please know, I will only fully step away when assured that Community Action is in the best hands and is secure for the future.
Over the next year and well into the future, NCAF will remain a tireless advocate for Community Action in Washington.
I know the Community Action Agency network has a bright future and I look forward to continuing to see where this work takes us in the years to come!”
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.