Carteret Community Action, Inc. was established in 1965 as a private corporation with a public mission—to reduce the amount of poverty in our communities, and to assist families and individuals in becoming self-sufficient. It began with three employees and a budget of $27,000. Twenty-five years later it employed more than 100 people, had a budget exceeding three million dollars, and served five counties (Carteret, Craven, Jones, Pamlico, and Onslow).

In 1998, the Board of Directors changed the name of the organization to Coastal Community Action, Inc. (CCA) to more accurately reflect the service area, which is now seven counties in eastern North Carolina : Carteret, Craven, Jones, Pamlico, Duplin, Onslow and Lenoir.

In 2004, CCA has a staff of almost 200 employees and a budget exceeding eleven million dollars. Services are provided to eligible area residents in seven major program areas. CCA is directed by a fifteen-member tripartite board, comprised of representatives of the community, of the poor, and of elected officials or their representatives.