In this Must Know…
- Policies in Reconciliation Bill Will Harm Entrepreneurs
- Wins and losses in the California State Budget
- Watch Carolina’s panel at last week’s Aspen Ideas Festival
- Happy 4th of July! Support independent businesses this holiday weekend.
- Join our AI Essentials Train-the-Trainer series. The next session, covering graphic design, is July 9, 2025.
- For Your Clients: Join COOK Alliance’s webinar on July 8, 2025 at 5:30pm PT for a practical conversation about running a safe, compliant MEHKO.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is Small Business for America’s Future’s upcoming conversation with Sen. Ed Markey about the impact of tariff uncertainty on small businesses, next Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11:00am PT.
Policies in Reconciliation Bill Will Harm Entrepreneurs
Congress just passed a Budget Reconciliation bill that poses serious threats to small businesses—cutting Medicaid, weakening borrower protections, and favoring large firms with skewed tax breaks. These changes could increase costs, reduce access to capital, and hurt healthcare access for millions.
But the fight isn’t over: use the Summer Recess to urge your lawmakers to protect small business programs such as CDFI Fund and SBA in the FY26 budget. Join us on July 15 to prepare you for your efforts.
California State Budget
Governor Newsom signed California’s 2025–26 budget, marking two wins and a loss for small business support. The SB-TAP program received $23 million to continue helping entrepreneurs through various small business assistance programs, while DFPI’s fee schedule was updated to strengthen financial oversight.
However, Cal IIP—which provides key funding for CDFIs—was not included. One final round of funds remains in 2026, giving us a critical window to advocate for its renewal.
Aspen Ideas: How Small Businesses Power Industry
Last week, CAMEO Network CEO Carolina Martinez spoke at the Aspen Ideas Festival about how small businesses are driving a new industrial revolution. Alongside fellow panelists, she explored how to redefine “industry” to reflect today’s small-scale manufacturers—and how to better support them through technology, ecosystem-building, and equitable opportunity. Watch the full session to hear how small businesses are shaping the future of industry.
Celebrate Independent Businesses
This Fourth of July, honor the spirit of independence by supporting the small retailers and independent workers who fuel our economy.
Amid rising tariffs, inflation, and limited access to capital, they face real challenges. The White House’s proposed budget and Congress’s reconciliation bill threaten to cut key support programs—making it even harder for them to succeed. We can exercise our power of the purse and shop small to do our part.
The Goodies
Virtual Events
- Join us on July 9, 2025 at 11:00am PT as we discuss the impact of tariff uncertainty with Small Business For America’s Future, Sen. Ed Markey, and small business owners sharing their stories.
- Join AMIBA on July 10, 2025 at 10:00am PT for the roundtable “Managing DEI Backlash: Solutions for Local Organizations.“
Funding Opportunities
- Credit Builders Alliance’s CBA Fund is offering low-cost loans and capacity-building grants to nonprofit lenders expanding access to small dollar loans. The deadline to apply is July 8, 2025.
- U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance’s Access Capital program offers funding to nonprofits that provide technical assistance to real estate developers. Proposals are due July 31, 2025.
For Your Clients
| EmpowHer grants of up to $25,000 support women who need early-stage business capital, a network of business advisors, or both.The first application window for the California Competes Tax Credit runs from July 21 to August 11, 2025. Join the free application webinar on July 23 at 9:30am PT. |
Other Goodies
- New Resource: The Aspen Institute recently published “Building Shared Success: A Guide to Small Business Job Quality Advising for CDFIs.”
- Jobs: CIELO, IEWBC, the Bay Area Jobs First Collaborative, and the California Budget & Policy Center announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!