Community Action Agencies (CAAs) like us were established by the Economic Opportunities Act of 1964, a key part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty.’ While CAAs were originally conceived as a way to empower low-income communities with direct support, they evolved into nonprofits governed by tripartite boards representing public, private and low-income interests in the community.

We formed in 1966 as the Community Action Commission for the County of Dane and the City of Madison. After expanding to Jefferson County in 1992, we became Community Action Coalition for South Central WI, Inc. Our final expansion reached Waukesha County in 1996.

We’re a member of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP), which coordinates all 16 of Wisconsin’s Community Action Agencies. Many anti-poverty programs got their start within our organization, including Head Start and Madison-area community gardens, now run by Community Groundworks.

We were born out of the War on Poverty, and that purpose still motivates us today. We’re committed to evolving the way we work to help people overcome poverty and thrive in their daily lives.

From Crisis to Stability: How CAC Supports Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness

Community Action Coalition (CAC) works to ensure that everyone in Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties has access to stable housing, health, and financial opportunity. This video highlights the realities of homelessness in our communities—and the long-term, relationship-centered support CAC provides to help families rebuild stability.

CAC's 2024 Annual Report

View the 2024 report here

The CAC 2024 Annual Report highlights a year of growth, innovation and rising community need across Dane, Jefferson and Waukesha counties, showcasing major progress in housing stability, food security, mental health support and community empowerment. In 2024, CAC expanded critical programs such as Rapid Rehousing, Early Childhood Zones, SASH and Supportive Services for Veteran Families, helping hundreds of households remain stably housed. Food assistance efforts distributed 1.3 million pounds of food, strengthened the TEFAP and HUB models, expanded senior nutrition through CSFP, and advanced local food systems with the new Foodshed Partnership and LFPA grants. The Double Dollars program served over 1,300 people, while mental health initiatives delivered essential training and crisis-response resources to healthcare workers and community members. Winter Glow reached its largest impact yet, serving 578 households and providing winter gear and essential goods. Overall, CAC served tens of thousands of neighbors in 2024 and directed 93% of all funds back into the community, demonstrating a deep and continued commitment to helping people build stability and thrive.

2025 Community Needs Assessment

View the 2025 Community Needs Assessment here

The 2025 CAC Community Needs Assessment provides a comprehensive look at the most urgent challenges facing residents of Dane, Jefferson and Waukesha counties, helping CAC meet federal standards while deepening our understanding of local conditions. Built through surveys, interviews, stakeholder input and community data, the assessment identifies the primary barriers preventing households from achieving social and economic security. Three top areas of need emerged—housing, health (physical and mental) and employment—along with critical related issues in childcare, transportation and food access. Rising housing costs, evictions and homelessness continue to destabilize families, while limited access to affordable healthcare and persistent food insecurity undermine overall well-being. At the same time, low wages, limited career pathways and lack of childcare and transportation make it difficult for many residents to secure and maintain stable employment. Collectively, these findings outline the conditions shaping daily life in our communities and highlight where targeted, community-driven strategies are most needed to support long-term stability.

Thank you!

We’re grateful you could celebrate with us today. Your partnership makes our shared impact possible, and we look forward to continuing this work together. If you’re not already connected with us, we invite you to follow CAC on social media and subscribe to our newsletters to stay up to date on community initiatives and upcoming events.

CAC's Annual Rewind Lunch

By Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin

CAC's Annual Rewind Lunch

Thank you for being a part of our 2025 Rewind Lunch. Scroll down to learn more about CAC's impact over the last year. View our latest video on housing and reports from within our community