In this Must Know…
- Protecting Small Business Lending Programs: CDFI Fund, CRA, and SBA
- California’s responsible lending bill advances
- Nominate an organization for the 2026 CAMEO Network Ecosystem Awards.
- Upcoming CAMEO Network trainings
- CAMEO Network is hiring a Finance Manager.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the Public Policy Institute of California’s fact sheets on poverty in California and poverty among California’s workers.
Protecting Small Business Lending Programs
A lot is happening on the federal level as it relates to our industry and how it is funded.
First, on Friday CAMEO and Inclusive Action for the City asked the court to release and protect the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which connects small business owners in low- and moderate-income communities to affordable capital. We will keep you updated.
Second, also last week, the FDIC and OCC published proposed changes to the CRA rules in the Federal Register with comments due on October 13, 2026. The rule is 350 page long and fairly complex. We’re joining our friends at NCRC and Rise Economy in calling for an extension on the comment period so that we can properly analyze the rule that encourages banks to invest in our communities. Please sign on by Friday, August 21, 2026, close of business, by filling out this form.
Finally, we are leading a coalition sign-on letter urging Congress to pass S.J.Res. 202/H.J.Res. 207 (introduced by Sen. Markey and Rep. Velazquez). This resolution would reverse the recent SBA rule change limiting access to SBA-backed loans for businesses with green card holder ownership. We invite you to sign on to our letter.
Responsible Small Business Lending Bill Advance
AB 2116 (Schiavo), co-sponsored by CAMEO Network, the Responsible Business Lending Coalition, Small Business Majority, and CLICC, made it out of suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee today. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor where it will be heard sometime in the next few weeks. Help us get it across the finish line! Call your Senators this week and tell them to vote YES!
Nominate a Champion of Small Business Success
The 2026 CAMEO Network Ecosystem Awards, presented at the 2026 Conference: Collective Power in Action on November 16-18, honor organizations strengthening small business ecosystems and expanding opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs. Awards recognize excellence across the “5 Cs” of a thriving ecosystem: Coaching, Capital, Connections, Culture, and Climate. Nominate an organization, including your own, by August 31.
Upcoming CAMEO Network Trainings
Strengthen your impact and build new skills with our upcoming training opportunities:
- August 25 and September 1 – AI for CDFIs: From Strategy to Implementation
- August 27 – Board Essentials: Strong Governance for CDFIs
- October 5-9 – Microlending Essentials
2026 Conference: Collective Power in Action
Don’t forget to reserve your spot for our 2026 Conference! Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Katie Wonnenberg of Public Private Strategies, who will discuss the post-election policy landscape, funding uncertainty, and strategies for navigating a changing policy environment.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation! Join us on November 16-18, 2026 in San Jose, CA.
CAMEO members receive a discount on registration. To receive the member discount code, email Sandra Flores.
The Goodies
Professional Opportunities
- Greenlining’s Block Video Training Series is a new on-demand learning experience designed to help community organizations navigate the capital development process with greater confidence.
- Sign up as a partner for AMIBA’s Choose Indie Art Month Campaign ahead of Indie Art Month in October.
New Resources
- Read Next City‘s recent piece “How a Community Land Trust Brought an Indie Bookstore to Fresno’s Tower District.”
- The Public Policy Institute of California offers fact sheets on poverty in California and poverty among California’s workers.
Free Webinars
- Join How to Build a Google Ads Strategy Around Your Nonprofit’s Goals on August 20, 2026 at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET.
- Join the Aspen Institute on August 26, 2026 at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET for Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders.
Other Goodies
- Upcoming Event: Register for Independent Sector’s National Summit on October 13-16, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ.
- Jobs: The Alliance for Community Development, Public Counsel, LA Más, and Pacific Community Ventures announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!