In this Must Know…
- Blog Post: CAMEO Network’s Highlights and Takeaways from the 2025 OFN Conference
- For Your Clients: MEHKO 101 Webinars on November 6 and November 13, 2025
- Encourage your clients to complete the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey
- Findings from the new National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) survey
- Join Series 2 of our 9-course series on CDFI Microlending Origination and Portfolio Management, November 6 – December 4, 2025
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is Working Solution CDFI’s new milestone of $65 million in all-time investment in California small businesses.
CAMEO Network in DC: Highlights and Takeaways from the OFN Conference
Last week, CAMEO Network staff joined over 2,000 community development professionals in Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Conference. From AI to shared services, the event spotlighted how CDFIs are innovating to strengthen operations and impact. We also celebrated leaders—including Working Solutions CDFI’s continued representation on the OFN Board (congrats to Titi Ikhile!)—and connected with members to shape our 2026 training calendar. Read our full recap and takeaways from D.C. on the CAMEO Blog.
For Your Clients: MEHKO 101 Webinars
Interested in starting a legal home-based food business? Join COOK Alliance’s free MEHKO 101 webinar to learn the basics of California’s Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program. Perfect for aspiring food entrepreneurs and community advocates alike.
- English: November 6, 2025 at 5:30pm PT
- Spanish: November 13, 2025 at 5:30pm PT
For Your Clients: Small Business Credit Survey
The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey closes on November 14! Owners and key financial decisionmakers of for-profit businesses are invited to share experiences on debt use, financial conditions, and more. Responses directly inform the Fed, government agencies, policymakers, and service providers—creating a public good that benefits your business and others. The survey takes just 12 minutes.
Minority-owned Businesses Strained by Shutdown
Minority-owned businesses are facing serious financial impacts from the ongoing federal government shutdown, with projected losses of $400–$450 million, according to a new National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) survey. Delays in contracts, reduced demand, layoffs, and higher borrowing costs are taking a toll. SBA loan guarantees are also paused, cutting off critical funding.
The Goodies
New Resources
- In case you missed last week’s Connecting Communities’ event, “CDFIs Unpacked: Trends and Takeaways from Mission-Driven Lenders,” you can find the slide deck here.
- Listen to the Voices of the Community podcast’s latest series, “COVID-19’s Impact on San Francisco Nonprofits.”
For Your Clients
- Mission Edge’s Impact Lab is offering a free workshop on how to “Plan, Connect & Thrive” for early-stage entrepreneurs in San Diego, on November 5, 2025 at 9:00am PT.
- Public Private Strategies and AARP are hosting “Demystifying Medicare: What Every Employer Needs to Know” on November 11, 2025 at 12:00pm PT / 3:00pm ET.
Free Webinars
- Join Catchafire for “Protect your mission: Legal compliance for nonprofits” on November 5, 2025 at 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET.
- Join Public Counsel for “Practical Guidance for Uncertain Times: Nonprofit Mergers and Strategic Restructuring” on November 18, 2025 at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET.
Other Goodies
- Member Kudos: Congratulations to Working Solutions CDFI for reaching $65 million in all-time investment in California small businesses.
- Jobs: Greenlining, Main Street America, Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, and the DFPI announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!