Mountain View Nonprofit Forgoes Federal Funding to Uphold Values

Community Services Agency will not apply for grants that require tracking immigration status or restricting referrals.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Community Services Agency (CSA) in Mountain View, California, has decided to forgo federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant program rather than comply with new requirements to check the immigration status of those they serve and refrain from making referrals to organizations that offer abortion services. CSA's executive director stated the nonprofit will continue serving all who come to them regardless of immigration status.

Why it matters

This decision by CSA highlights the challenges nonprofits face when federal funding comes with strings attached that conflict with their organizational values and mission to serve the community. It raises questions about the role of government in dictating how nonprofits can operate and the tradeoffs organizations must weigh between maintaining principles and securing critical funding.

The details

CSA, the primary nonprofit provider of safety net services in Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills, offers food assistance, emergency housing aid, homeless support, and senior services. The organization's board unanimously voted in December not to accept federal funds that would require tracking immigration status or restricting referrals, even though this funding makes up 12% of CSA's $6 million annual budget and supports key programs like senior nutrition. While this decision puts CSA's federal funding at risk, the nonprofit has invested in diversifying revenue and building reserves to weather the potential financial impact.

  • In December 2025, CSA's board voted unanimously not to accept federal funding that would require tracking immigration status or restricting referrals.
  • On February 5, 2026, CSA Executive Director Tom Myers announced the nonprofit's decision to forgo federal CDBG grants with those requirements.
  • CSA plans to engage in contract negotiations with the city of Mountain View and Santa Clara County in March 2026 to try to offset any federal funding shortfalls.

The players

Community Services Agency (CSA)

The primary nonprofit provider of safety net services in Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills, offering food assistance, emergency housing aid, homeless support, and senior services.

Tom Myers

The executive director of the Community Services Agency.

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What they’re saying

“We will serve anybody who comes to us. We do not track immigration status. We will make referrals so that people can make their own choices about where they get assistance.”

— Tom Myers, Executive Director, Community Services Agency (mv-voice.com)

“This could have consequential [impacts] on funding. There's no doubt about it.”

— Tom Myers, Executive Director, Community Services Agency (mv-voice.com)

What’s next

CSA plans to engage in contract negotiations with the city of Mountain View and Santa Clara County in March 2026 to try to offset any federal funding shortfalls. The federal grant restrictions are currently being challenged in court, and if the litigation is successful, CDBG funding could be on the table again for CSA.

The takeaway

This decision by the Community Services Agency highlights the difficult tradeoffs nonprofits sometimes face between maintaining their principles and securing critical government funding. It underscores the tension between nonprofit autonomy and federal oversight, and the importance of diversified revenue streams to weather potential funding cuts when organizations choose to uphold their values.