In this Must Know…
- Register for our 2026 California Advocacy Day by May 22 to have CAMEO Network arrange your legislative meetings!
- Congressional Resolution on Responsible Small Business Lending
- New Research from PPSI: The Cost of Fraud, Ransomware and Scams on Small Businesses
- Join us November 16-18 in Sacramento, CA for our 2026 Conference: Collective Power in Action
- CAMEO in the News: Our CEO, Carolina, was interviewed for Minority Business Entrepreneur Magazine about the challenges small businesses are currently facing.
- May is AAPI Heritage Month! Support Asian American and Pacific Islander owned businesses in your community.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the budget request letter to the California Legislature to urge them to include funding for SEED 4.0.
Advocacy Day: Register by May 22 to Have Your Meetings Scheduled
Time is running out to register for the 2026 California Advocacy Day, June 1–2 in Sacramento! Register by May 22 to have CAMEO Network arrange your legislative meetings (after that, you can join a meeting that is already scheduled or will have to arrange your own meetings).
Join fellow advocates from across California to champion small business technical assistance, responsible lending, childcare businesses, small grocers, landscaper protections, and more.
Even if you have been to Sacramento recently, remember that advocacy is not a one and done. We must keep showing up, keep knocking on the door, keep making sure our issue is the one that is front and center in our elected representatives’ minds.
This is a great opportunity to double down on our ecosystem budget asks to be incorporated into the CA FY 26-27 budget that will be finalized on June 15. Don’t wait! Secure your spot today and make your voice heard.
And join our free Advocacy Day Prep Webinar on May 27 at 2:00pm PT, where we’ll walk you through the issues, talking points, and tips for effective legislative advocacy.
Congressional Resolution on Responsible Small Business Lending
Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez (NY) and Lateefah Simon (CA) introduced a resolution based on the Small Business Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, affirming that small business owners seeking financing deserve fundamental protections from unfair lending practices. The resolution marks a meaningful step forward in elevating small business borrower protections nationwide.
New Research: The Cost of Fraud, Ransomware and Scams on Small Businesses
America’s small businesses are quietly absorbing $131 billion annually from fraud, scams, and ransomware. Yet, fewer than one-third of small business owners are prepared to defend against these attacks. The Public Private Strategies Institute’s national survey of 500+ small business owners quantifies these losses for the first time. Combating this problem will require coordinated action from both the public and private sectors.
The Goodies
New Surveys
- Complete the FUND Community Institute’s Women in CDFIs Survey.
- Take NTEN’s State of Nonprofit AI Governance and Adoption survey to help them understand how nonprofits make decisions about AI at work.
Industry News
- Contra Costa County has voted to make its MEHKO pilot program permanent.
- California Gov. Newsom appointed former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra as Secretary of the state’s new Business and Consumer Services Agency.
For Your Clients
- The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce is hosting the webinar “Unlock Small Business Resources with U.S. Bank” on May 27, 2026 at 11:00am PT.
- Encourage your freelancer clients to complete the Freelancers Union’s survey for California freelancers.
Other Goodies
- Take Action: Sign on to this letter to the California Legislature to urge them to include funding for SEED 4.0 in next year’s budget.
- Jobs: Working Solutions CDFI, Main Street Launch and Cooperativa Latino Credit Union announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!