In this Must Know…
- Small Business at the DNC
- Support Our Bills in the Assembly
- Submit your nomination for CAMEO Network’s Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards.
- Join the upcoming session of Microlending Essentials on September 9-13, 2024.
- Join the National CDFI Academy sessions, CDFI History and Impact on September 18, 2024 at 12:00pm PT and SBA Microloan Program 101 on September 19, 2024 at 10:00am PT.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the California Investment and Innovation Program (Cal IIP) Application and NOFA. Applications are due October 1, 2024.
Small Business at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention took place this week in Chicago. Small business owner Juanny Romero took the stage on Day 4 to recount how her coffee shop was able to weather the pandemic and grow thanks to the support from the Biden administration. She also called out the record 19 million business applications filed in the last four years.
Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, spoke about access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Listen to our CEO, Carolina Martinez, speak to KNX News about CAMEO Network’s expectations for small business support from an incoming administration.
Support Our Bills in the Assembly
We sponsored three bills this session and all three are almost at the finish line. Sign on to our letters to bring them home!
- SB 1482 (Glazer) closes loopholes in price disclosure regulations. Sign on to support.
- SB 1286 (Min) protects small business borrowers from harassment in debt collection. Sign on to support.
- SB 1103 (Menjivar) expands translation requirements, limits security deposits, and increases notice periods for contract termination in commercial leases for micro businesses. Call or email your assemblymembers and ask them to vote Yes!
Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards
At our 30th Anniversary summit, we want to celebrate the good work you do. Nominations are open for CAMEO Network’s Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards!
The awards will be presented at the summit, “Equity in Action: Innovating the Small Business Ecosystem” on November 13-14, 2024.
Winners will receive a free one-year CAMEO membership for 2025 and have the honor of being recognized by their peers as leaders in the field.
The Goodies
Funding Opportuntities
- NCRC has extended the deadline for the 2024 Field Empowerment Fund! Applications are now due September 13, 2024.
- The California Investment and Innovation Program (Cal IIP) Application, Application Instructions, and NOFA are now available. Applications are due October 1, 2024.
Free Webinars
- Join the 2024 Grant Application Workshop Webinar for the California Investment & Innovation Program (Cal IIP) on September 11, 2024 at 11:00am PT.
- Join Small Business Majority on August 28, 2024 at 11:00am PT for a webinar dedicated to addressing critical issues facing Black-owned businesses.
New Resources
- CDFI Friendly America created the CDFI Market Map to make it easy to see the market potential for CDFIs throughout the U.S.
- Heat Ready CA provides personalized heat plans, information on the signs of heat-related illness, and other resources designed to keep Californians safer during extreme heat.
Other Goodies
- Industry news: The Biden Administration announced a new effort to crack down on junk fees, which affect very small business owners who use consumer financial products and services for their business needs.
- Jobs: California Budget and Policy Center, CWA, and AFR Education Fund announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!