We’ve been content heavy for a few weeks, so this week, just the need-to-know.
- CAMEO CEO Job Posting
- Annual Member Meeting and Advocacy Day – June 7 in Sacramento
- And…Action! – Taking a breather this week – you deserve it
- The Goodies – This week’s highlight is Aspen’s FIELD Institute released “The Promise of Shared Platforms for the Microenterprise Industry.” CAMEO is featured in the report targeted at the funders!
CAMEO CEO Job Posting
As you may know, Claudia Viek has announced that she is moving on from CAMEO and turning over the reins. The board has formed a search committee and is accepting applications. If you know of a visionary leader that can lead CAMEO and who is passionate about the microbusiness sector (and fill Claudia’s big shoes) please forward on the CAMEO CEO job description and encourage them to apply.
Annual Member Meeting and Advocacy Day – June 7 in Sacramento
Register for our Annual Member Meeting and Advocacy Day in Sacramento on June 7, 2017.
We’ve heard over and over again that one of the biggest needs of your clients is a lack of understanding of their businesses’ financials. And like everything else, technology is changing many elements of coaching including branding, business planning, and of course financial education. In our morning session, members who are addressing these changes in innovative ways will explain their solutions. We’ll look at their evolution over time, how their attitudes have changed, the outcomes of their program, how they use technology, and how they are leveraging platforms to help their clients. Business assistance providers will learn about new tool and methods of teaching and lenders will learn some new strategies to ensure their clients are successful borrowers.
And book your room! More information about the program and lodging is on the Annual Member Meeting webpage.
The Goodies
New opportunities for training, conference information, funding, scholarships, and other information that have crossed our desks since the last Must Know. I have posted a running tab of current Industry Goodies on the CAMEO website that lists items that were in past emails. Check it out to make sure you’re not missing anything, like grants whose deadlines are still alive!
New Report: Aspen’s FIELD Institute released “The Promise of Shared Platforms for the Microenterprise Industry.” The three reports look at how advancing technology can help organizations increase the impact of their work by delivering financial and technical support to micro and small businesses more efficiently. CAMEO is featured on page 16 of the report targeted to funders for our work with the MMS platform!
Funding Opportunity: Round four of Wells Fargo’s Diverse Community Capital (DCC) Program is open. Launched in late 2015, the nationwide initiative to invest in CDFIs serving diverse small businesses makes available $50 million in lending capital and $25 million in grant capital to be dispersed over three years. In addition to financial capital, the program provides a social capital program to increase the capacity of participating CDFIs to lend to diverse small businesses. The capacity building component includes a knowledge network, consulting, and other collaborative efforts. Interest forms are due May 19.
Free Webinar: Join CFED and their partners for “At the Expense of Consumer Financial Safety: How the Financial CHOICE Act Would Leave Consumers in Harm’s Way” on May 23, 2017 from 11:am-12:30pm PT // 2:00-3:30pm EDT. What changes would the CHOICE Act make to the CFPB? How would these modifications impact the Bureau’s work and what would that mean for the communities you serve? How can we take action to ensure that consumers have the protections they need?
Professional Development Webinar: Join ASBC for “Hone Your Message and Work with the Media to Get It Out” on May 25, 2017 from 10:00am PT // 1:0pm ET. Learn how to make the strongest arguments for your policy agenda and best practices in working with the media.
DIY Economy Event: The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City bring the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) to California and kicks off with an event in Oakland. The ICCC program provides free training, education and mentorship to small businesses to build their capacity and access to capital. Join for the Oakland ICCC kick off breakfast on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 8:00-10:00am at the .Oakland Marriott City Center, Junior Ballroom, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA. Kaiser Permanente and ICIC leaders will present this dynamic partnership to promote local economic vitality, key to the Total Health of our communities.
Professional Conference: Registration is now open for OFN’s 2017 Small Business Finance Forum, June 15 and 16 at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.
Professional Conference: Register for Credit Builders Alliance’s 2017 Credit Building Symposium, June 26-27 in Washington, DC.
Funding Opportunity: OFN announced their NEXT Fund for Innovation, a pilot that will provide flexible capital in amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million to CDFIs with innovative ideas. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis now through June 30, 2017. The fund is open to all qualifying CDFIs, including non-OFN Members and past NEXT Awards recipients.
Professional Development Opportunity: BALLE has opened the application process for their 2018 BALLE Local Economy Fellowship program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (so apply early!) from February 2017 until the cohort is filled. Applicants can expect to be notified of their first round status (finalist, declined, or still under review) within 4-6 weeks of receipt of your application.
Nonprofit Tip: Volunteer time = $24.14.
New Polls/Reports: Small Business Majority has several polls out: Small Businesses Support ACA Over Replacement Plan; Small Businesses Support Paid Family Leave Programs; Colorado Small Business Owners Support State Retirement Savings Program; and Freelancers Need Flexible Retirement Options.
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