Welcome to Thrive Weekly! This newsletter is your comprehensive resource for staying updated within our vibrant community. Every week, we provide timely information about upcoming Thrive events, partner events, community safety resources, and important announcements. Join us in fostering community engagement as we keep you informed about topics that matter to you.
If you would like to promote an upcoming opportunity to Thrive members and the larger community, you can submit the information here.
Thrive Events & Announcements
A Call to Action to Restore VLF Funds for Our Community's Nonprofits
On May 7, Thrive Alliance returned to Sacramento to ask the state to expedite the restoration of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) funds owed to our County. With 78% of local nonprofits reporting increased demand for services and over 40% facing worsening financial health, the need for these funds is more urgent than ever. Dr. Akilah Watkins from Independent Sector emphasized the importance of not jeopardizing nonprofit support in budget balancing. Local nonprofits actively participated by providing public comments after the testimonies of Senator Josh Becker and Supervisor Jackie Speier, underscoring how vital VLF funding is for meeting the growing needs of our community.
Become a Thrive Member
Join Thrive Alliance and become part of a powerful network of nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders working together to strengthen and uplift communities across San Mateo County! Membership is more than a connection—it's an opportunity to expand your organization's reach, amplify your impact, and collaborate with others who are committed to creating meaningful, lasting change.
As a Thrive Alliance member, your organization will gain access to:
Valuable cross-sector networking and relationship-building opportunities
Community forums and events focusing on the region's most pressing issues
Advocacy initiatives that amplify and strengthen nonprofit voices
Capacity-building resources designed to support organizational growth and effectiveness
Increased visibility through our newsletters, communications, and event calendar
Collaborative partnerships and leadership opportunities that drive collective impact
Exclusive member discounts, benefits, and resources
Together, we can achieve more than any organization can alone. Join a trusted and mission-driven community dedicated to collaboration, innovation, collective success across San Mateo County.
To learn more about becoming a Thrive member, click here. Not sure if your organization is a member? Take a look at our current members here. For any questions on membership, please contact Nicole.
Thrive Alliance and Thrive RISE, in partnership with San Mateo County Emergency Management (SMC EM), is launching the San Mateo County's first ever CBO Capabilities Assessment to make sure our local nonprofits have the resources and coordination they need before disaster strikes. The data provided by your organization will help build a county-wide, publicly available mapping tool for resource coordination and partnership building.
The deadline to complete the survey is May 29, but nonprofits that finish before May 1 will be invited to a focus group session throughout the month of May to share unique insights and deepen County partnerships.
All organizations that fill out the assessment will receive reserved seats in upcoming SMC EM training, a formal certificate of appreciation on behalf of their participation, and inclusion on Thrive RISE's mailing list to remain up to date on emergency preparedness resources within the County.
⏱️ Estimated Time to Complete: 15 minutes 📅 Deadline: May 29, 2026
Ready to help build a more resilient San Mateo County? Use the links below to get started with the assessment:
The report is based on a survey of more than 160 nonprofit leaders across the two counties and offers a snapshot of how nonprofits are navigating rising demand for services, funding uncertainty, workforce strain, and the operational impacts of federal policy shifts.
Across the region, nonprofit leaders report that organizations are adapting and collaborating to meet growing needs–but that financial pressures and policy volatility are creating new challenges for sustaining services.
This report represents the first step in a broader effort to track how federal decisions are affecting the nonprofit sector and the communities it serves. In the coming months, we will also release additional analyses examining federal funding flows into the regional nonprofit ecosystem and what may be at risk as federal policy decisions continue to evolve.
Thrive is committed to highlighting the incredible organizing power of our local nonprofit and partner communities always and especially during this time. We have created this Community Safety Resources section for Thrive Weekly to do just that. By working collectively and shining a light on our sector's collaborative, caring power, we will lighten each other's loads as we renew ways to safeguard our diverse communities.
Location: Half Moon Bay Library, Community Room, 620 Correas St, Half Moon Bay
The Farmworker Advisory Commission will hold a regular meeting from 6:00 pm to
7:30 pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend in person, and the meeting will be conducted in Spanish, with live interpretation provided in English. Attendees can access the live interpretation services using the headsets that will be available at the venue.
Community Announcements
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AANHPI communities. Across our region and beyond, AANHPI leaders, organizations, and advocates continue to shape a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community. We encourage you to take this month as an opportunity to learn, uplift AAPI voices, and support the work of local organizations making a difference.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of mental well-being and reduce the stigma around mental health challenges. It reminds us that mental health is essential to overall health and that everyone deserves access to care, support, and understanding. Across our communities, people and organizations are working to encourage open conversations, share resources, and create spaces where it’s okay to ask for help. This month is also a reminder to check in on one another, prioritize self-care, and continue building a culture of compassion and connection for all.
On May 25 from 10:00 am -11:30 am, individuals are encouraged to stop by and talk with a District 2 staff member at the San Mateo Library. They can connect visitors with resources and answer questions in both English and Spanish.
Here are a few things they can assist with:
Housing and immigration resources
Knowing renters' rights
Navigating county programs
Everyone is invited to swing by and chat with the staff!
Community Events
SHL + CARE Present: Leveraging Cultural and Community Strengths to Promote Asian Youth Resilience - Evidence from Global and Domestic Research
May 12, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Virtual
Youth mental health challenges are increasingly visible across communities, yet cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited access to care can make it especially difficult for AAPI youth and families to seek support.
In this Community Health Talk, Dr. Xinshu She will address key factors influencing youth mental health and resilience development through an Asian cultural lens. She borrows from research on early childhood development, mindfulness, school interventions and family-based programs both in the US and abroad. She will explore evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to support children and families in fostering resilience and accessing care in a timely manner. The talk will also address how Asian communities can leverage their cultural connectivity and values to enrich community resilience and wellbeing.
2026 Nonprofit Compensation Survey Webinar: Industry Trends & Salary Data
May 14, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Virtual
Join this free webinar featuring Rita Haronian, Survey Director at Nonprofit Compensation Associates, as she shares the latest findings from one of California’s most trusted nonprofit compensation surveys. Drawing on data from nonprofit organizations across Northern and Southern California, this session explores how compensation, benefits, and workforce trends are evolving in 2026.
The 2026 Nonprofit Compensation Survey Webinar is a long standing resource for the entire nonprofit community. Whether you are an executive, program staff member, operations professional, or early career nonprofit worker, this webinar provides valuable context on how compensation trends are shaping the sector.
We Give Summit—an annual, virtual convening that brings 1,000+ changemakers from around the world to strengthen shared practices of collective generosity. Through panel discussions and interactive learning sessions, we explore the power of collective and collaborative giving in the philanthropic sector and gain practical advice and resources to learn and grow.
Pal Center is hosting a Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, May 16, inviting the community to join in an afternoon of fun and excitement. Attendees can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including Zumba classes, free food, and delicious ice cream, among other attractions. It promises to be a lively celebration, perfect for families and friends to gather and enjoy a memorable day together in the neighborhood.
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