🚨 Funding alert:

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Communities of Practice (CoP) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS).

The Administration for Children and Families is seeking applicants to establish six regional Communities of Practice (CoPs) that will deliver training and technical assistance (TTA) across the national Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) network. Through six cooperative agreements, recipients will strengthen the capacity of states, tribes, territories, Community Action Agencies, and state associations to improve service delivery, promote economic mobility, and advance evidence-informed approaches that help low-income individuals and families achieve greater self-sufficiency.

With approximately $4.35 million in total funding available and six anticipated awards of $725,000 annually over a three-year project period, this opportunity emphasizes innovation, partnership, workforce development, and measurable systems improvement. Applications are due August 24, 2026.

🔧 What it supports:

Funding supports the creation and operation of regional Communities of Practice that provide technical assistance, peer learning, training, capacity building, data-driven decision making, and systems improvement across the CSBG network. Projects should strengthen organizational performance while advancing scalable strategies that improve employment outcomes, financial stability, housing access, education, transportation, and coordinated anti-poverty services.

🎯 Key focus areas include:

• Workforce development and economic mobility
• Employment stability and asset development
• Technical assistance and organizational capacity building
• Evidence-informed and data-driven service delivery
• Community Action Agency and CSBG network strengthening
• Cross-sector partnerships and systems alignment
• Housing stability and community revitalization
• Performance measurement and continuous improvement
• State, tribal, and local collaboration
• Optional bonus focus on integrating substance use disorder prevention, intervention, and recovery strategies into CSBG services

💡 Why it matters:

This opportunity is designed to strengthen the national infrastructure supporting Community Services Block Grant programs. Rather than funding direct services, it invests in the organizations that build capacity across the CSBG network—helping communities improve workforce outcomes, modernize service delivery, expand partnerships, and implement proven strategies that create lasting economic opportunity for families experiencing poverty. Organizations with expertise in technical assistance, workforce systems, community development, and capacity building are especially well positioned to compete.

📌 How to apply:

Eligible applicants include CSBG-eligible entities and statewide or local organizations with demonstrated expertise in providing training and technical assistance to organizations serving low-income communities. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, with active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations in place before submission. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on August 24, 2026, and applicants should carefully review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for required narratives, work plans, logic models, budgets, and supporting documentation.

👥 Who should consider this:

• Community Action Agencies (CAAs)
• State Community Action Associations
• CSBG-eligible organizations
• National and regional nonprofit organizations
• Workforce development organizations
• Technical assistance and capacity-building providers
• Tribal organizations and eligible tribal entities
• Organizations with experience in systems change, training, organizational development, and anti-poverty initiatives

If your organization is exploring this opportunity, The New Growth Team can help assess eligibility, shape a winning strategy, and build a competitive grant writing approach for this workforce and community capacity-building opportunity. Reach out to start the conversation about developing a strong, competitive proposal.