The Charlotte Area Fund (CAF) has been at the heart of Mecklenburg County’s fight against poverty for more than 60 years. CEO Nick Wharton recently spoke with Live Impact News about the organization’s growth, its impact, and what’s ahead.
A new home in East Charlotte
Earlier this year, CAF moved its headquarters from uptown to East Charlotte to be closer to community needs.
The new space has energized staff and become a hub for collaboration with nonprofits, workforce programs, and affordable housing services.
Six decades of service
Founded during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, CAF has helped launch cornerstone programs in Charlotte’s social sector, including Head Start, the Food Bank, and Legal Services.
The mission remains focused on helping families reach self-sufficiency and building long-term solutions to poverty.
Major conference comes to Charlotte
From October 14–17, 2025, Charlotte will host the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) annual conference, drawing 300–400 leaders from eight states.
- Keynote: Jada Grandy-Mock, former Fifth Third Bank executive, on her journey from poverty to corporate leadership.
- Honoree: Civil rights icon and CAF board member Dorothy Counts-Scoggins.
- Focus areas: Workforce development, food security, Head Start, corporate partnerships, and strategies to boost economic mobility.
Wharton notes that Charlotte is a fitting host as the city continues working to improve economic mobility.
Resilience and financial empowerment
During the pandemic, CAF provided housing assistance, car repair support for essential workers, and launched a mobile unit with showers and laundry services that later aided disaster-struck communities.
CAF’s new Financial Opportunity Center expands coaching on budgeting, credit, and long-term stability alongside workforce training.
Looking ahead
Despite economic uncertainty, Wharton remains optimistic about locally driven solutions. Community action agencies are designed to be agile and responsive to families in real time.