Advocacy in Action: How CAP-HC Is Working for Change in 2026
Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) takes a holistic approach to eliminating barriers and creating opportunities for people with low incomes. One way we do this is through our broad range of direct services that help people meet their immediate needs and build stability.
Another way we pursue lasting, positive change for people with low incomes is through our advocacy work. Using an advocacy-through-education approach, CAP-HC expands policymakers’ awareness of community needs and the root causes of poverty. Our advocacy work builds momentum for legislation and systemic change that creates greater opportunity for everyone.
CAP-HC’s 2026 Legislative Priorities
Each year, CAP-HC works with our statewide association, Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP), to identify priorities for our legislative agenda. Our board of directors approved CAP-HC’s 2026 Legislative Priorities at our February 2026 board meeting.
These priorities include:
- Reinstating Minnesota Community Action Grant (MCAG) funding at the previous biennium amount and securing that amount in the state’s base budget. In addition to providing more funds so that CAP-HC can help more people stabilize, the flexible nature of MCAG funding would also enable us to adjust funding for programs as community needs shift.
- Reinstating Family Assets for Independence in MN (FAIM) Program funding at the previous biennium amount and securing that amount in the state’s base budget. Additional FAIM funding would allow CAP-HC to support long-term asset building and financial stability for more people with low incomes.
- Seeking Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Getting to Work funding for vehicle repair and maintenance programs. When DEED funded the previous Getting to Work grant (2024-2025), CAP-HC’s Vehicle Repair Program was able to help more than 170 people with low incomes repair their vehicles so they could obtain or maintain employment with safe, reliable transportation.
CAP-HC’s advocacy work is not separate from our mission. It complements our direct-services work, providing long-term, community-level opportunities for people with low incomes to lift themselves out of poverty.
MinnCAP Advocacy Day on the Hill 2026
On March 2, staff from Community Action organizations across Minnesota gathered at the State Capitol for MinnCAP Advocacy Day on the Hill. More than 60 Community Action staff members met with legislators to have meaningful discussions about the needs of their communities. These conversations helped highlight both the growing demand for services and the importance of continued support for Community Action Programs.
For CAP-HC, opportunities like Advocacy Day on the Hill reflect the power of showing up together, sharing what communities are experiencing, and helping public officials connect policy decisions to real-life impact.
How You Can Join CAP-HC’s Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy is most effective when it reflects real experiences in the community. Want to help create positive change in Hennepin County? Here are some ways you can get involved:
- If you’ve been a CAP-HC client, consider sharing your story with us.
- Share your story directly with public officials. Find your elected officials.
- Join CAP-HC’s email list to stay up to date on our programs, events, and positive impact in the community. Fill out the short form at the bottom of our website homepage.