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Welcome to AMACG’s Monday Morning Brief, a weekly roundup of consequential developments gathered from government agencies, regulators, funders, and other credible sources.
This week brings changes affecting borrowing costs, federal contractors, government vendors, specialized community-development organizations, and certain Georgia businesses and nonprofits. Several funding and regulatory deadlines also require prompt attention.
Below are the developments most relevant to AMACG clients and prospective clients, along with what they could mean for your organization.
What changed: Revised federal regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, or VEVRAA, take effect September 21, 2026.
The Section 503 revisions eliminate several requirements related to disability self-identification, data collection, and the 7% utilization goal. However, covered federal contractors must still comply with applicable disability nondiscrimination, reasonable-accommodation, affirmative-action, outreach, accessibility, and recordkeeping requirements.
The VEVRAA rule primarily updates regulatory references and federal-contract thresholds. Its core protections and affirmative-action obligations for protected veterans remain in place.
Why it matters: Federal contractors should not assume the revised rules eliminate their broader employment obligations. Removing forms or changing applicant and employee procedures without a complete review could create compliance gaps.
Learn more: Section 503 final rule and VEVRAA final rule
What changed: The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund opened the 2026 New Markets Tax Credit allocation round with $5 billion in allocation authority.
Organizations that are not already certified Community Development Entities, or CDEs, must submit their certification applications by September 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Allocation-application registration closes October 6, and completed applications are due November 10.
Why it matters: The New Markets Tax Credit program helps attract private investment to qualifying low-income communities. However, this is not a general small-business grant or nonprofit tax-credit application. It is intended for established community-development organizations with the experience, structure, investor relationships, and systems required to operate as CDEs.
Learn more: Review the 2026 New Markets Tax Credit allocation notice
What changed: The Georgia Secretary of State’s office will host a free FIN FIT webinar, “Funding Strategies & AI-Powered Decision Making,” on September 21 at 6:00 p.m.
The webinar will address how lenders evaluate business risk, how financing can affect costs and cash flow, and how business owners can use AI responsibly when evaluating funding options.
Why it matters: Being offered financing does not necessarily mean the financing is affordable or appropriate. Business owners must evaluate repayment capacity, total borrowing costs, cash-flow pressure, and the consequences if projected revenue does not materialize.
Learn more: Georgia FIN FIT webinar
What changed: The Citi Foundation launched a $25 million Global Innovation Challenge focused on preparing low-income youth for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Fifty eligible community organizations will receive $500,000 each. Proposals are due October 6, 2026, at noon ET.
Why it matters: The opportunity is not limited to technical AI instruction. It supports programs that combine AI and digital literacy with critical thinking, problem-solving, employment access, technology resources, and cross-sector partnerships.
Learn more: Review the Citi Foundation challenge and eligibility requirements
What changed: The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75%–4.00%, citing elevated inflation.
Why it matters: The federal funds rate is not the rate businesses pay directly, but increases can contribute to higher costs for credit cards, lines of credit, variable-rate loans, and newly originated term loans. Nonprofits using bridge financing while awaiting grants or reimbursements may also face higher carrying costs.
Learn more: Read the Federal Reserve announcement
What changed: Georgia has elected to participate in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit beginning January 1, 2027. Individual taxpayers may be able to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations, or SGOs.
Why it matters: This could create a new fundraising opportunity within the education sector. However, donations will qualify only when made to an SGO included on a participating state’s approved list and when all federal requirements are satisfied.
Learn more: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
What changed: The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a two-year, $20 million pilot to help small businesses commercialize promising deep technologies. The pilot will test the use of commercialization funding, expert mentorship, and investor connections.
Why it matters: Technology companies often struggle to move from research and product development to successful commercialization. The pilot is intended to help close that gap.
Learn more: NSF commercialization pilot
This brief is provided for general educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment, or financial advice. Organizations should review the official sources and consult professionals when determining how a development applies to their specific circumstances.
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