The legal framework that governs both public and nonprofit Community Action Agencies (CAAs) as recipients of federal grant funds is vast. This guide aims to give leaders of CAAs – the board and the executive management – an overview of some of the legal requirements that they will work with on a regular basis. Even though this is an extensive guide, it is not intended to address every legal requirement that public and nonprofit CAAs face. The intent is to equip CAA leaders with the information they need to either make more informed decisions or recognize the instances when they may need additional information, as well as to help CAA leaders work more efficiently with outside attorneys who advise the organization on legal and compliance matters.

The guide is divided into the following four chapters:


  1. General overview of federal grant law
  2. The Community Services Block Grant Act
  3. Financial management of federal grants
  4. General tax-exempt organization requirements

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