In this Must Know…
- Submit your proposal to join the 2025 MEHKO Advocacy Cohort before January 24, 2025
- CDFI Essentials starts February 18, 2025 – register now!
- Save the date for the California Rural Success Summit on May 13-14, 2025.
- News You May Have Missed
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the Brookings Institution’s report, “Why don’t more Americans work for Black-owned firms?”
Join the 2025 MEHKO Advocacy Cohort
CAMEO Network and COOK Alliance are seeking five community-based organizations to advocate for the establishment of a Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program in counties where MEHKOs are not currently legal.
As part of the cohort, you will collaborate to develop MEHKO advocacy initiatives, including engagement with legislators, training new advocates, and building support for the program.
Cohort members will receive $5,000 to facilitate their participation. The deadline to submit proposals is January 24, 2025.
CDFI Essentials 2025
CDFI Essentials, CAMEO Network’s signature year-long training for microlenders, kicks off its 2025 cohort on February 18!
This intensive peer cohort program supports new and emerging CDFIs to learn skills, create policies and manage risk — while meeting their mission to serve entrepreneurs of color and LMI communities.
CAMEO members are entitled to special discounts for registering (see event page for details).
Save The Date: California Rural Success Summit
Mark your calendars for the first annual California Rural Success Summit on May 13-14, 2025 in Visalia, CA!
The California Rural Success Summit is designed by and for the thriving rural communities of California with the aim to unite and educate key rural stakeholders, community leaders, and businesses through success stories and resource sharing.
Registrations open soon – stay tuned!
News You May Have Missed
H.R. 9495: The legislation that would empower the Treasury Secretary to label any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and unilaterally strip it of 501(c)3 status passed the House of Representatives last year. However, advocacy from our sector has turned the bill into a controversial measure that the Senate is unlikely to pass.
Continuing Resolution: Late last month, Congress approved a spending plan to fund the government through March 14, 2025. The package includes $100 billion in disaster aid as well as a one-year extension of the Farm Bill.
The Goodies
Industry News
- California Senator Adam Schiff will serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for the 119th Congress.
- The CDFI Fund’s FY 2025 CDFI Program and NACA Program Application is opening soon. Here are some steps you can take to get ready.
New Research
- The Brookings Institution’s report, “Why don’t more Americans work for Black-owned firms?” explores the impact and implications of Black entrepreneurship on Black Americans’ wealth.
- Read the DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy’s report on Advancing Disability Inclusion in Very Small Businesses.
New Resources
- Listen to Moving the Needle’s recent podcast episode, “Revolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation” with Tom McDougall, CEO of food delivery network 4PFoods.
- Download Main Street America’s recently released “Disaster and Resilience Toolkit.”
Other Goodies
- For Your Clients: Beginning January 1, 2025, the Freelance Worker Protection Act is in effect across the State of California. Help your clients know their new rights.
- Jobs: TMC Community Capital, HIAS Economic Advancement Fund, Main Street Launch, and AFR Education Fund announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!