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

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

Because each CAA is governed locally, each one 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