New Address: Two Embarcadero Center, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94111     

Federal Policy Update: Budget Budget Budget

Last Friday, the United States Congress voted to pass a 6-bill spending package to partially fund the federal government for the 2024 fiscal year, including agriculture, transportation, housing, energy, and veterans. Both houses must still negotiate on a second, and larger, spending package which includes the military, homeland security and healthcare, ahead of the March 22 deadline. 

Happy Holidays!

The end of 2023 is upon us – a year that saw CAMEO launch the National CDFI Academy, hold our very first annual summit, receive our largest grant, and double our staff. These and many other milestones have made 2023 a significant year for CAMEO. The best is yet to come.

2023 Holiday Gift Guide Roundup

Every year, CAMEO collects a list of holiday gift guides and events from our members and partners to give you all a variety of options to choose from when buying gifts for your loved ones.

California 2023 Legislative Roundup

The California 2023 legislative cycle officially came to a close last month, once the Legislature adjourned and every bill that passed made it to the Governor’s desk. It was a very active legislative session, with the Legislature introducing more bills than it had in over a decade and Governor Newsom signing almost 1,000 bills. Throughout the year, CAMEO tracked 47 bills related to small business, nonprofits, and other topics. Here is a roundup of these bills and their final status.

Education Campaign: How to File a Complaint with the DFPI

When a financial institution violates state law, the DFPI has the ability to launch investigations, enforce penalties, and change regulations. Thus, DFPI complaints are of vital importance to keep companies accountable. However, many small businesses and consumers of financial services/products are not aware that they can file a complaint, or are unsure how to do it, or believe it is too complicated. 

CAMEO Out and About – Fall 2023

October is a busy month for the economic development sector – from conferences to meetings and everything in between. CAMEO is not the exception. Here’s what our staff has been up to and the events coming up in the pipeline.

CAMEO Is Hiring!

Do you support local economies driven by local small business owners? Do you understand the power of business ownership to lift families and help them thrive and reach their version of the American Dream? If so, please apply and help us grow.

CAMEO Partners with COOK Alliance to Expand MEHKOs in California

The California Legislature allocated $8m to bolster California’s Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) program. Five million dollars of the budget is dedicated to nonprofit organizations to perform community outreach about MEHKO opportunities; educate and train MEHKO owners; market and build awareness for MEHKOs; and negotiate preferred rates for food, supplies, equipment, and services. The funding can also be used to provide pass through equity grants to help MEHKOs start or support their businesses.

2023 Bay Area Member Meeting Recap

On Friday, September 8, 2023, we held our Bay Area Member Meeting at the Google Community Space in downtown San Francisco. It was great to see so many of our members in one room and share with them all the exciting initiatives that CAMEO has been working on this year. We are especially thankful to Louise Dawson, Deputy Director of the SBA San Francisco District Office, for joining us to talk about important SBA updates.