Community Services Block Grant Program

Community Services Block Grant Program Main_Content ​​​Program Overview ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Through a statewide network of seventeen Community Action Agencies in Maryland, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program supports a range of direct services designed to assist low-income individuals and families with achieving self-sufficiency. Congress annually appropriates funds for the Community Services Block Grant program which are administered at the state level by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Pursuant to the federal CSBG Act (42 9901 et seq.), Community Action Agencies (also known as CSBG Eligible Entities) receive 90 percent of the funds allocated to Maryland in order to operate programs and services that effectively address the causes and conditions of poverty in the Agency’s service area. These Agencies have been formally designated by local governing bodies to serve as the official anti-poverty agency for that jurisdiction. Under the CSBG Act, the state may utilize five percent of the federal allocation as discretionary funding to support activities and programs conducted by Community Action Agencies or other non-profit organizations to eliminate poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and stimulate community revitalization. Additionally, the funds may be used to provide training and technical assistance and to support coordination and communication among Community Action Agencies. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) serve every jurisdiction in Maryland and provide a range of services to help families achieve self-sufficiency. Contact the Agency that serves the county where you are located for more information about their programs and services.​ CAAs Contact Information (Updated May 2023) ​​ Community Services Block Grant State Plan Every two years, the State is required by law to submit a Community Services Block Grant State Plan to the US Department of Health and Human Services for approval. The Plan outlines how the State will administer the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). The FFY25/FFY26 CSBG State Plan is available below. FFY25/FFY26 CSBG State Pl​an ​​ Eligible Applicants Maryland's seventeen designated Community Action Agencies are eligible to apply for the 90 percent of CSBG funds allocated annually by the federal government. Community Action Agencies must have a board of directors in which one-third are elected public officials currently holding office, or their designees; at least one-third are chosen by a democratic selection method designed to assure that they will represent low-income persons in the community, and the remainder are officials or members of other major groups and interests in the community. Community Action Agencies provide services in all twenty-three Maryland counties and the City of Baltimore. Eligible Activities The services and activities provided by CSBG Eligible Entities serve individuals and households in urban and rural areas throughout the State with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. In most cases, services are provided through a one-stop service delivery system. Community Services Block Grant - Discretionary Community Action Agencies, non-profit organizations, and units of local government that serve individuals and families at or below 200% of poverty, are eligible to apply for CSBG Discretionary funding. The eligible applicant’s proposed program must display measurable outcomes that help families and individuals move toward self-sufficiency. How to Apply

Congress annually appropriates funds for the Community Services Block Grant program which are administered at the state level by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Pursuant to the federal CSBG Act (42 9901 et seq.), Community Action Agencies (also known as CSBG Eligible Entities) receive 90 percent of the funds allocated to Maryland in order to operate programs and services that effectively address the causes and conditions of poverty in the Agency’s service area. These Agencies have been formally designated by local governing bodies to serve as the official anti-