Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. CAAs are intended to promote self-sufficiency and depend heavily on volunteer work.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is the agencies' core federal funding source. CAAs also operate a variety of grants that come from federal, state, and local sources. These grants vary widely among agencies, although most CAAs operate Head Start programs focusing on early childhood development. Other programs frequently administered by CAAs include Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) utility grants and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funded through the US Department of Energy (DOE).

Because each CAA is governed locally, each provides a different mix of programs and services. Services typically include:
-Community Coordination
-Emergency Services
-Education
-Food and Nutrition
-Family Development
-Training/Employment
-Income Management
-Transportation
-Housing
-Economic Development
-Health Care