In this Must Know…
- Take Action: Sign our letters of support for SB 362 and SB 728
- Join the 2025 CAMEO Network Summit, “Leading in Uncertain Times: Meeting the Mission, Telling the Story, Promoting Policy” on May 28-29, 2025 in Sacramento
- California CDFI Summit Recap
- CAMEO Network is hiring!
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the deadline to submit FY 2025 CDFI Program or NACA Program Applications TOMORROW, March 21, 2025.
Take Action: Support Responsible Small Business Lending Bills
CAMEO Network is proud to announce that we are co-sponsoring two bills in the 2025 California Legislative Session aimed at creating a fairer regulatory framework for small business financing.
SB 362 (Grayson) strengthens California’s first-in-the-nation pricing disclosure requirements for small business financing transactions. SB 728 (Padilla) requires Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) companies and brokers to register with the DFPI. If you supported SB 1482 (Glazer) last year, they are conceptionally the same bills.
Both bills will be heard in the Senate Banking Committee on April 2. Please sign on to our SB 362 letter of support and our SB 728 letter of support by NEXT TUESDAY, March 25!
2025 CAMEO Network Summit
Lead with impact at “Leading in Uncertain Times: Meeting the Mission, Telling the Story, Promoting Policy” on May 28-29, 2025. This two-day event will focus on strengthening organizations, building narratives, and advocating for small businesses.
📅 Day 1: Hands-on training and power-building for CDFIs and TA providers.
📅 Day 2: Advocacy Day—engage with legislators to champion small business needs.
California CDFI Summit Recap
CAMEO Network CEO Carolina Martinez and COO Mark Herbert took the stage this week at the California CDFI Annual Summit in Sacramento, hosted by the California Coalition for Community Investment (CCCI).
Mark led a panel on deepening CDFI impact in underserved regions of California, while Carolina spoke on a state policy panel about the State’s programs that support small businesses and how our network is working to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Then on Wednesday, it was great to walk the halls of the Capitol with all of our CDFI friends and advocate for renewal of the $50 million Cal IIP program, which invested in CDFIs. The cherry on top was that it was also SBDC Day! Go small business ecosystem!
The Goodies
Industry News
- Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week that seeks to increase the amount of capital available to small businesses.
- The House Financial Services Committee is requesting feedback on access to capital and investor opportunity by March 31, 2025.
For Your Clients
- Accessity is hosting a Spanish-language breakfast/conference for women entrepreneurs in San Diego on March 22, 2025 in collaboration with the Eva Longoria Foundation.
- Prospera is looking for Spanish-speaking business mentors for its cohort of Latina women entrepreneurs. The deadline to fill the interest form is March 26, 2025.
Funding Opportunities
- FY 2025 CDFI Program or NACA Program Applications are due TOMORROW, March 21, 2025.
- Every month, the Center for Cultural Innovation distributes Quick Grants to support artists and arts organizations’ financial resilience through professional development support.
Other Goodies
- Professional Opportunity: Join the California Budget & Policy Center’s Annual Policy Insights Conference on April 10, 2025 in Sacramento, CA.
- Jobs: ICA Fund, Pacific Community Ventures, The California State Assembly, and TMC Community Capital announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!