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Accion Opportunity Fund Calls on Senate to Pass Clarity Act, Give Small Businesses Clear Rules for Digital Assets

SAN JOSE, Calif. – September 9, 2026 – Today, Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), released a letter urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (“Clarity Act”), which would establish a consistent federal framework for digital assets…

Luz Urrutia on Leading Through Change

AOF President and CEO Luz Urrutia joins CEOs, founders and academic leaders in a new Leadership Today article on what it takes to bring people through organizational change.

Accion Opportunity Fund Hires Emily Nichols as Chief Development Officer

SAN JOSE, Calif. – July 9, 2026 – Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), a leading national nonprofit lender and advocate for underserved small businesses in the United States, announced today the hiring of Emily Nichols as Chief Development Officer. She will lead AOF’s fundraising strategy, philanthropic partnerships, and development team. Nichols will work alongside AOF’s executive…

Nimisha’s vision for Jain Family Foods – AOF Program Client

The story behind Jain Family Foods When Nimisha Jain couldn’t find a quick, convenient meal option that was also flavorful, nourishing, and culturally authentic, she built what she couldn’t find. In 2020, she launched Jain Family Foods from her kitchen in Woodbridge, CT — Indian-inspired lentil cooking kits made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and bold spices. What began as a single hand-packaged product…

Houston-based small business owner Mario McCoy – AOF Program Client

The story behind NCMPRBL When Houston-based small business owner Mario McCoy reached out to Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) for business advising, his modern minimalist accessories brand, NCMPRBL, had survived both the pandemic and a personal health crisis. But survival wasn’t enough. Mario knew his business needed clearer positioning and strategic direction to support sustainable growth. NCMPRBL was built around quiet luxury…

The Spinning Hand by Kari Capone – AOF Program Client

The story behind The Spinning Hand Last summer, Kari Capone was ready to walk away. Her knitting business, The Spinning Hand, had been running on Etsy since 2007 — built slowly and carefully alongside a full-time career and a family. But summer sales were slow, revenue was barely breaking even, and she found herself asking the…

Small Businesses in Underserved Communities Turn to Tech, Crypto, and AI to Compete

A new national survey from Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), conducted in partnership with Ripple, reveals that underserved small business owners increasingly rely on digital tools, including cryptocurrency payments and AI-powered platforms, as part of their business operations. The findings are detailed in the report, Unlocking Opportunity Together: Research on Digital Adoption and Access for Underserved…