RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity has announced it is accepting applications from qualified nonprofit organizations seeking to become designated Community Action Agencies in the state.
What Community Action Agencies Do
Designated Community Action Agencies (CAAs) serve as frontline organizations in the fight against poverty, delivering essential programs including housing support, workforce development, emergency aid, and financial literacy services to communities across North Carolina.
Organizations that receive CAA designation gain access to valuable resources, including Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding, state resources, and technical assistance to support their anti-poverty efforts.
Application Timeline and Information Sessions
The application deadline is set for close of business on August 29, 2025. To help interested organizations understand the designation process, the Office of Economic Opportunity will host three information sessions:
- Monday, August 11, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 13, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 19, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to register and attend one of these sessions.
Funding Background and Mission
The Community Services Block Grant program, administered at the state level, traces its origins to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The program was designed to promote and provide an array of services and activities aimed at reducing poverty, revitalizing low-income communities, and empowering low-income families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.
Target Areas and Selection Criteria
Up to three organizations will be selected to serve underserved or newly eligible areas specifically in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Randolph counties.
Applicants must demonstrate strong organizational capacity, meaningful local community engagement, and clear alignment with the anti-poverty mission of Community Action Agencies.
How to Apply
For more information about the designation process, interested organizations can visit the Office of Economic Opportunity’s website or contact Mecca Dixon at mecca.dixon@dhhs.nc.gov.
