In this Must Know…
- ICYMI: CAMEO Network Statement on the Rollback of Basic Civil Rights that Will Harm Small Businesses
- CAMEO Network is hiring!
- Save the Date for the 2025 CAMEO Summit!
- Member Kudos: Cal IIP Awards
- MEHKO Advocacy Cohort proposals are due TOMORROW!
- Join our Out-of-State Member Meeting on January 30, 2025
- Join our Los Angeles Member Listening Session on January 31, 2025 at 2:30pm PT. Check out the CAMEO Blog to find disaster relief and recovery resources for nonprofits and small businesses.
- CAMEO in the news: CAMEO Network CEO Carolina Martinez was quoted in an Inc. story about how businesses should prepare for the new administration’s deportations.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the opening of the FY 2025 funding round for the CDFI Program and NACA Program!
ICYMI: CAMEO Network Statement on the Rollback of Basic Civil Rights that Will Harm Small Businesses
On his second day in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that aims to terminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs, policies, directives, and guidance throughout the federal government.
The administration’s efforts to roll back decades-old regulations preventing discrimination in government hiring, granting, and contracting are deeply concerning. This sweeping executive order is an attempt to take us back to a pre-Civil Rights era when opportunities for small businesses were doled out based on the color of the owner’s skin, not on merit.
We are currently analyzing the full ramifications of these executive actions and will continue to update our network on its effects on our work – as well as next steps to protect the communities we serve. We are unwavering in our efforts to build a small business economy that works for all.
Please read our full statement on the CAMEO Blog.
CAMEO Network Is Hiring!
CAMEO Network is hiring a Program Assistant! The Program Assistant will be responsible for tracking and supporting the workflow and process of CAMEO programs, training, and resources we provide to our network of member organizations. General duties include program logistics, technical, clerical, and record-keeping, as well as member outreach.
Learn more about this and other open positions on our Careers page.
Save the Date: 2025 CAMEO Summit
Mark your calendars for the 2025 CAMEO Summit on May 28-29, 2025 in Sacramento!
This two-day event will include a training conference with capacity-building sessions on business coaching and microlending, as well as our annual Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.
Stay tuned for more details!
Member Kudos: Cal IIP Awards
The California State Treasury announced recipients of awards through the California Investment & Innovation Program (Cal IIP) for the state’s CDFIs. The awards include $9.1 million dedicated to helping 45 California CDFIs deliver affordable, transparent capital to underbanked small businesses.
23 of those organizations are CAMEO members! Congratulations to these organizations on receiving this funding – which will be critical to helping Los Angeles small businesses rebuild from the fires.
The Goodies
Free Webinars
- Join NALCAB on January 30, 2025 at 12:00pm PT for a webinar on the 119th Congress Public Policy Landscape.
- Join Connecting Communities for “The Power of Place: Building Inclusive Economies Through Collaboration” on February 13, 2025 at 12:00pm PT.
New Research
- Read the California Budget & Policy’s Center recent report which analyzes Governor Newsom’s 2025-25 state budget proposal.
- Read SoLo Funds’ “2025 Cash Poor Report,” which provides much needed understanding of the realities of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.
For Your Clients
- West Business Development Center’s 5-part webinar series on “ChatGPT for Business” starts February 3, 2025.
- Applications are open for ICA Fund’s 12-week Accelerator program, which starts May 8, 2025. Graduates of the Accelerator are eligible to apply for ICA’s founder-friendly capital ($25K–$1M).
Other Goodies
- Funding Opportunity: The CDFI Fund opened the FY 2025 funding round for the CDFI Program and NACA Program. All applicants must be registered by February 18, 2025.
- Jobs: Alliance for Community Development, TMC Community Capital, HIAS Economic Advancement Fund, announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!