In this Must Know…
- Happy Holidays from the CAMEO Network family
- Check out our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide Roundup and submit your organization’s gift guide if you haven’t!
- CNN producers are looking for a small business who’s been impacted by tariffs to interview for Jake Tapper’s show. If you have a client who would be interested in speaking to them, email Daniela Fernandez-Ulen.
- Fill out our 2026 AI Training Feedback Form to help us shape next year’s AI training sessions!
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is the open application for NALCAB’s 2026 Pete Garcia Community Economic Development Fellowship. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.
Happy Holidays
This year our sector has faced many challenges. Navigating shifting regulations, funding pressures, and economic instability has required adaptability and commitment. We are proud to stand alongside you during this time—as a trusted partner sharing timely resources and opportunities, advocating for policies that support small businesses, and learning together to become a more resilient network.
Even amid these hurdles, we enter the new year with clarity and momentum. At our Annual Member Meeting last week, we unveiled our new Strategic Plan for 2026-2028—which will guide our work to bolster the small business support ecosystem, advance effective policy solutions, and deepen the value we deliver to our members. To learn more about our Strategic Plan, watch the Annual Meeting’s recording on CAMEO Academy.
As the year comes to a close, we thank you for the work you do every day to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across the nation. Your dedication to strengthening local economies and expanding opportunity makes a real difference in communities large and small.
May the holiday season bring you time to rest, reflect, and celebrate with those who matter most. We look forward to continuing our work together and advancing an economy that works for everyone.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
The CAMEO Network team
The Goodies
New Research
- Read the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s recent report, “Turning Public Money into Amazon’s Profits: The Hidden Cost of Ceding Government Procurement to a Monopoly Gatekeeper.”
- SBAN released new case studies on community ownership strategies. The case studies include two CAMEO Network members!
Industry News
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is accepting nominations for the National Small Business Week Awards. Submissions are due December 22, 2025.
- Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed five bills relating to SBA programs and operations. Will the Senate take action?
Professional Opportunities
- Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services is hosting a virtual info session on their upcoming Emerging Developers Program on January 7, 2026 at 6:00pm PT.
- Applications are now open for NALCAB’s 2026 Pete Garcia Community Economic Development Fellowship. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.
Other Goodies
- New Resource: NCRC recently launched a tip line for anyone to flag possible fair lending violations as the federal government pulls back on enforcing fair lending laws.
- Jobs: Pacific Community Ventures, The Center for Community Wealth, National Consumer Law Center, and Greenlining announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!