In a rapidly changing world, the ability to innovate and think creatively is more crucial than ever. The Community Action industry, often operating at the grassroots level, plays a pivotal role in fostering these attributes. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) work on the front lines, addressing societal challenges through local initiatives, advocacy, and support services.
Since its conception, Community Action has served communities in the exact way it’s needed. It has been a breeding ground for innovation and creativity as each community has unique needs and challenges that only that community can combat. Community Needs Assessments, various funding sources, and more contribute to a Community Action Agency’s ability to design and implement out-of-the-box solutions to their community’s needs in order to continue building resilient, empowered communities capable of sustaining positive change.
Community Needs Assessments
CAAs are often the first to identify and respond to local needs. This grassroots approach ensures that solutions are tailored to specific problems. When addressing issues like housing, food security, or education, these organizations must think creatively to develop effective strategies with limited resources.
CAAs are required to conduct regular Community Needs Assessments but many agencies find this a valuable tool in increasing participation and the voice of the people they serve. These assessments help agencies identify the most pressing issues facing their communities and develop strategic plans to address them. By systematically evaluating local needs, CAAs can design targeted, innovative programs that are directly responsive to the unique challenges of their service areas. This data-driven approach fosters creativity and ensures that resources are used effectively.
Funding Sources
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a crucial source of funding for CAAs across the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CSBG is designed to alleviate poverty and empower low-income individuals and families. One of the significant aspects of CSBG is its role in fostering innovation within CAAs, allowing them to develop and implement creative solutions to address community needs.
CSBG provides CAAs with flexible funding that can be used across a wide range of services and programs. This flexibility is crucial for innovation, as it allows agencies to allocate resources where they are most needed and to experiment with new approaches without being constrained by rigid program guidelines. CAAs can respond quickly to emerging community issues, testing and scaling innovative solutions that might not fit into more narrowly defined funding streams.
CSBG funding includes provisions for capacity building, helping CAAs enhance their organizational capabilities. This support can be used for staff training, technology upgrades, and other initiatives that strengthen the agency’s ability to deliver services effectively. By investing in capacity building, CSBG enables CAAs to adopt new technologies, improve their service delivery models, and explore innovative approaches to community development.
CSBG emphasizes the importance of local control and decision-making, empowering CAAs to develop solutions tailored to their specific communities. This localized focus encourages innovation, as agencies can draw on their deep understanding of community dynamics, strengths, and needs. Local control also facilitates the involvement of community members in the design and implementation of programs, fostering a collaborative environment where new ideas can flourish. Many CAAs have developed innovative programs with the support of the various funding sources procured.
A short-term funding source that became available to Community Action Agencies was the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020 marked a significant moment for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the United States. As a response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act provided substantial funding and resources to help communities cope with the crisis. This infusion of support fostered creativity and innovation among CAAs in several ways.
The CARES Act provided a substantial increase in funding for CAAs, including an additional $1 billion in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding. This financial boost allowed CAAs to expand their services and implement new programs rapidly. The act also offered flexibility in how the funds could be used, enabling CAAs to allocate resources where they were most needed and to innovate in response to emerging community needs.
The urgent nature of the pandemic required CAAs to respond quickly to a rapidly changing situation. The CARES Act funding enabled CAAs to pivot and address immediate needs such as food insecurity, housing stability, and health services. For example, many CAAs quickly set up food distribution programs, rental assistance initiatives, and virtual health consultations to support those affected by the pandemic.
While the CARES Act funding was a response to an immediate crisis, it also had long-term implications for CAAs. The innovations and improvements made possible by the funding have created a foundation for sustainable change. Many of the new programs, technologies, and collaborative practices developed during the pandemic are likely to continue, enhancing the capacity of CAAs to serve their communities effectively in the future.
Innovative Programs within the CalCAPA Network
The Community Action Partnership of Riverside County partnered with community partners to create and launch the Saving for Success program.
Saving for Success are special matched savings accounts designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a “productive asset.” A “productive asset” is something of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner — benefits like security, stability and opportunities for more income. RivCo.Saving for Success participants may use their savings and match money toward any one of three productive assets: a first-time home purchase, a small business start-up or expansion, or post-secondary education or vocational training.
Participants attend a series of both mandatory and elective workshops to increase financial knowledge as well as to become better prepared for their goal. Participants open a savings account and contribute to reach the goal of $1,000 savings to be matched.
Participates attend a series of workshops which assist in financial matching of funds to purchase the following:
- Purchase first home (4:1 Match up to $4,000 in match funds).
- Pursue education (2:1 Match up to $2,000 in match funds).
- Start or expand a small business (2:1 Match up to $2,000 in match funds).
Those who participate in the Housing program (only) must have earned income from a job or self-employment to be eligible for the program.
The Savings for Success program evolved into a new Financial Wellness Network within the region with the help of CSBG funds. This program also assesses the needs of low to moderate income individuals and how their financial health impacts their physical and mental health. The CSBG covered the overhead administrative costs of the program to ensure smooth operation, as well as to provide matching funds for education and business start-up purposes. This innovative program won the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County the Agency Innovation Award at the 2023 CalCAPA Annual Conference.
In 2021, the Butte County Community Action Agency launched a new food distribution program called, “530 Food Rescue.” The 530 Food Rescue Coalition (530 FRC) is an innovative food recovery project in Butte County working to save perfectly good food from going to waste. By using a custom-built app, they mobilize volunteers to transport food donations from food retailers to non-profits. The 530 FRC aims to fill gaps in the existing food recovery system.
“It’s an innovative way to keep food from going to waste and increase access to fresh foods for residents in Butte County, ” said Sheila McQuaid, Project Director of 530 Food Rescue Coalition. “530 Food Rescue is filling gaps in the existing food bank and pantry system and providing a community-building volunteer opportunity while doing it.”
In May 2024 alone and with the help of 36 volunteers, the 530 FRC completed 149 food rescues. This equated to 33,745 lbs of food, 28,126 meals, and 22,207 lbs of CO2 prevented. In a little over two years of operation, 530 FRC has rescued and redistributed over 390,000 lbs of good food via 2,690 food rescues– mitigating CO2 equivalent of 978,500, serving over 100 food business donors and over 65 nonprofits with 100 community volunteers.
“The ability to invest in capacity at our local agencies is what creates the opportunity for Community Action Agencies to be innovative each time a need presents itself,” says David Knight, Executive Director of the California Community Action Partnership Association.
Innovation is not just about trying new things, but about finding effective solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. By addressing local needs through collaborative, adaptive, and participatory approaches, these organizations develop unique solutions to complex challenges. Their work not only improves immediate conditions, but also builds resilient, empowered communities capable of sustaining positive change. “Local innovation is efficient innovation– everything doesn’t have to be created in D.C.,” continues Knight.
As we look to the future, the continued support and recognition of Community Action’s role in fostering innovation will be essential for addressing the evolving needs of society.