This is an unusual election year because many local offices do not have an incumbent candidate, so there is an opportunity for new faces and fresh ideas. Did you know that some of our local races might be decided in June? If any candidate receives a majority (50% +1) of the vote in June, they win, and there is no election for that position in November. Now is the right time to engage!
Nonprofits have a vital role in our democratic process by educating both their communities and candidates about issues important to nonprofits and the communities they support, and encouraging their communities to vote. Thrive is engaged in nonpartisan efforts around voter outreach and education, including:
Voter Outreach
Voter Outreach Toolkit + Stipend: Thrive has created a voter education and outreach toolkit that includes everything you need to talk about voting in a simple box (either electronic or physical, in Spanish or English). Get a toolkit and share it with your staff or community so they are empowered to hold gatherings to talk about why and how to vote. Each toolkit comes with a stipend to support outreach and encourage participation.
Voter Outreach Materials – with your logo! Thrive is creating nonpartisan voter outreach and education materials that we can personalize with your organization’s logos!
Voter Outreach Training: Thrive will host a training session to help nonprofits learn how to engage in voter outreach, including the use of the toolkit.
Candidate Forums
In partnership with other nonprofits, Thrive will be hosting a series of candidate forums to elevate the most pressing issues for nonprofits and their communities in San Mateo County. The nonprofit organizations will be asking questions directly to the candidates. Please attend to learn how the candidates plan to address the issues that matter most to the community. Lastly, we will feature specific subject area forums: a Board of Supervisors forum on children's issues and a Congressional District 15 forum on the environment. See below for more details and dates.
Join us to shape the future of our County!
Petra Silton, Director of Advocacy & Education
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For more Thrive and Community events, visit Thrive's Event Page.
Environment & Sustainability
On March 17, Thrive brought together California State Senator Josh Becker, Allison Chan from Save the Bay, Linda Hutchins-Knowles from Acterra, and Joshua Hugg from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to discuss environmental legislation and the best ways to get involved through advocacy opportunities. We heard about the environmental work they were working on, including legislation around EVs, electrification, food, green infrastructure, wetland restoration, and the importance of creating partnerships with local community organizations. Read more here.
Environment & Sustainability Thrive Action Group
Earth Day Social
Thurs, April 21, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Join us at Twin Pines Park (Belmont, CA) for our first in-person social in years! Celebrate Earth Day by getting together in person and catching up with the environment & sustainability community while also enjoying delicious (vegan) food and drinks!
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has approved an allocation of $10M in ARPA funding to expand access to summer enrichment programs for vulnerable/low-income students. This effort supports students' social-emotional well-being and counterbalances the learning loss caused by the pandemic. This allocation includes $4.6M in investments in children and families to help the child care field and $3.3M for 2022 Summer enrichment programs.
Thrive will be hosting a series of candidate forums on specific topics including children's issues. Stay tuned for registration information and a date.
We are looking for nonprofit leaders interested in training their staff to educate their communities about elections at local meetings and informal gatherings!
Thrive has created an Election Education Toolkit. This toolkit aims to amplify and strengthen voter outreach and education in traditionally less engaged communities by addressing the lack of knowledge about the process. Give this toolkit to leaders in your community to use for informal voter education. The toolkits will be available in English and Spanish, and the first 10 partner organizations will receive a $1,500 stipend to compensate them for their time.
Email Yajaira Ortega, Thrive's Policy & Advocacy Associate if you are interested.
Are you passionate about transforming San Mateo County into a better place for all? Have you been thinking about running for the school board, city council, Board of Supervisors, or another office? Along with Leadership Council San Mateo County, Thrive invites you to hear the stories of local community members who have run for office to make a change. Their journeys will demystify the process and inspire you to run for office. They will share their experiences, inspiration, and how they are creating change through their elected offices. Featuring Hillsborough Councilmember Sophie W. Cole, South San Francisco Councilmember Buenaflor Nicolas and San Mateo Union High School District TrusteeLigia Andrade Zúñiga.
In partnership with other nonprofits, Thrive will be hosting a series of candidate forums to elevate the most pressing issues of nonprofits and their communities in San Mateo County. Please join us!
• Congressional 15th District - Wed, April 20, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
• State Assembly 21st District - date TBD
• Board of Supervisors District 2 - date TBD
• Board of Supervisors District 3 - Thurs, April 21, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
• Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer - date TBD
• San Mateo County Sheriff (In-person) - Wed, April 27, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
The San Mateo County Sheriff is responsible for overseeing patrolling, correctional facilities, security for the court system, the homeland security division, and the civil department. This position primarily serves as a top law enforcement official for the whole county.
Featuring:Carlos Bolanos, current Sheriff of San Mateo County; Christina Corpus, Chief of Police Services for the City of Millbrae.
If you are looking for a perfect time to lobby your legislature, NOW IS THE TIME! Your representatives are currently meeting in specific budget areas. If you have an idea for a bill in infrastructure, COVID-19, or new tax credit, your representative wants to talk to you!
Note: Please submit only one response per organization.
Upcoming at Thrive
Thrive Resource Room
Facilities & Leadership
Wed, April 5, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Thrive Resource Room offers a monthly virtual space to hear about Thrive updates and learn about your organization's free and affordable community resources. Join us this month to learn about free nonprofit facility repairs and leadership opportunities.
This session will feature:
Free nonprofit facility repairs: Robert Skelton, Corporate and Community Relations Manager for Rebuilding Together Peninsula, will discuss nonprofit facility renovation work (landscaping, painting, etc.).
Nonprofit leadership program: Leadership Council, San Mateo County will share how to engage with their Leadership CORPS Program and Emerging Leaders Program. These programs are 10-month immersive experiences that empower experienced and emerging leaders from the business, nonprofit, and government sectors with the knowledge, skills, and relationships they need to advance and deepen their leadership and community impact. Both programs are framed around countywide issues and led by influential leaders from SMC and beyond.
If you have services or information that you would like to share at our next Thrive Resource Room meeting, please email Keirstan. We encourage you to send staff members and volunteers (especially new ones!) to one of our monthly sessions to ensure that they take advantage of Thrive's resources and opportunities.
Second Round of Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Now Available
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-home tests. If you already ordered your first set, order a second today. If you need help ordering your tests, you can call 1-800-232-0233 (1-888-720-7489 for TTY). Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
If you need a COVID-19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.
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