What is VACAP?
Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP) is the statewide membership association for Virginia’s 33 non-profit private and public community action agencies. We all work together on our common vision to fight poverty and build self-sufficiency, for strong families and communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each agency focuses on its unique local needs. Each is also part of the community action network, coming together to discuss common issues, share ideas, experiences and strategies for success.
VACAP serves its members with state and federal legislative representation and advocacy, member training and education, public relations and marketing, resource development, facilitating collaboration, and statewide efforts to increase public awareness of Virginians in poverty and strategies to improve their lives and their communities.
VACAP Staff
What are Community Action Agencies?
Community action agencies change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities and make America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other as they move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Community agencies were created through the Federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Community Action Boards of Directors are composed of at least one-third members from the low-income community, one-third public officials, and up to one-third members from the private sector.
Core funding for the community action comes from the Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). CSBG is flexible and primarily funds local investments in services, facilities and partnerships in the community. Additional funding is provided by state and local governments as well as private sector contributions and substantial volunteer time and in-kind contributions. Community action relies on mobilizing help from private-sector partners, volunteers, and faith-based groups. Each $1 of core funds is leveraged by an additional $10 in cash and in-kind contributions.
Community action agencies coordinate programs and services offered to the community. There is no "typical" community action agency, because each is governed by the leadership and needs identified in its community. The community action approach to fighting the causes of poverty is to provide a range of services addressing poverty-related problems.