Resource Library
All of CAPLAW’s resources and publications are now available in CAPLAW’s new Resource Library. Use the search filters below to find the resource you need.
Featured Resources
From Community to Boardroom: FAQ on Democratic Selection and the Low-Income Sector
Low-income individuals in the community have an important voice in the administration of poverty alleviating programs. The federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act recognizes this and...
Bylaws Toolkit
This updated Bylaws Toolkit will help CAAs develop bylaws that are clear, effective, and up-to-date. The toolkit outlines key concepts for an agency’s bylaws, such as the authority of the Board of...
Uniform Guidance Crosswalk
This Crosswalk focuses on key substantive changes made in 2024 to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform...
All a-Board! Series: Board Chair Role and Responsibilities (People)
This video examines the roles and responsibilities of a CAA board chair. It highlights the vital leadership the board chair provides to the board and emphasizes the importance of the chair/executive director relationship to a vibrant, healthy organization. Join us again in the studio as late-night...
All a-Board! Series: Terms and Term Limits (Process)
Like pruning a plant to encourage growth and fruitfulness, a CAA board of directors can implement requirements to facilitate turnover and help keep itself fresh and energized. Establishing terms for board service and a limit on the number of terms a board member may serve are two such...
Tax Issues to Consider When Sharing Employees
This article focuses on the tax considerations for CAAs entering into a shared employee relationship. It presents three commonly-seen examples of sharing employees within the Community Action network:a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association sharing employees with another tax-exempt organization,...
Public CAA Boards
Tripartite boards of public Community Action Agencies (CAAs) face unique challenges in overseeing programs funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and other sources. While their relationship with local government provides lines of communication to individuals with authority and...
Preserving the Low-Income Voice
A crisis creates a multitude of unprecedented challenges for any organization. One of the challenges that spurred CAAs to innovate was the need to recruit and elect representatives of the low-income community to serve on the tripartite board during an emergency.This collection of snapshots...
Raising the Low-Income Voice
This series of case studies developed by CAPLAW address the various ways that CAAs are meeting the CSBG Act’s requirement that the low-income sector of the tripartite board be selected in accordance with “democratic selection procedures." These case studies have since been updated to reflect how...
Weatherproofing CAA Bylaws
A crisis presents numerous challenges for CAAs that impact existing governance structures and practices. CAAs need flexible bylaws that contemplate emergency situations.CAPLAW created this resource to help CAAs prepare their bylaws for future emergencies and avoid the significant problems that...
CSBG Eligibility
The federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to carry out a variety of activities designed to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals to become self-sufficient. The following Q&A is...
Finishing Strong with Finances
Receiving an influx of restricted funding presents unique challenges in addition to exciting opportunities. Many of these challenges, from managing indirect cost rate rates and cost allocation plans to revisiting budgets with your board, relate to the financial administration of new or increased...