Thrive Alliance has played a pivotal role this election season, significantly contributing to our community's democratic engagement. During the recent Primary Election, we supported over 80 organizations, provided 12 partners with our Election Education Toolkit and a stipend, and successfully hosted three Candidate Forums that reached more than 900 people.
We are deeply grateful to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their generous support of our voter engagement initiatives and to all our partners for their steadfast support throughout this election season.
Looking ahead, we are gearing up for the November elections. Please mark your calendars for the next VEOAC meeting on Wednesday, June 12.
Enjoy the images below from our nonprofit partners engaging their communities during election season.
In Community,
Yajaira Ortega, Senior Policy and Equity Manager
To view Thrive and community events or to submit an event, visit Thrive's Event page.
State Updates
Check Out Transform’s Legislative Priorities for 2024
Transform is championing 13 bills to establish the framework necessary for California to address the pressing issue of climate change while advancing equity. As these measures progress through the legislative process, Transform will offer updates and detailed insights. Learn more here.
Check Out California YIMBY's Legislative Priorities for 2024
The California YIMBY website outlines its 2024 legislative agenda, which targets the state's housing crisis through initiatives like reducing fees, reforming condominium regulations, and balancing housing needs with historic preservation. The group aims to fix implementation challenges and garner broader support for pro-housing policies, stressing grassroots advocacy's importance in driving progress.
County Policy Updates
$110 Million Allocated for Community Priorities in San Mateo County
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has approved $110 million from Measure K funds to enhance mental health, housing, and public safety, reflecting extensive community input.
San Mateo County has revised its Housing Element for 2023-2031 in response to feedback from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The updated plan, required by state law, addresses housing needs for the next eight years. It's open for public review, with hearings scheduled in April 2024 before the County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Join the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 24 to share your feedback.
Thrive Updates
REDI Hub Office Hours
Thrive Alliance and Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) are joining forces through the REDI Hub to advance racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) in the nonprofit communities in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Together, we're dedicated to taking concrete steps to combat systemic racism, discrimination, and inequity in our communities and organizations.
Join us for REDI Office Hours – a safe, inclusive space where SVCN and Thrive members and affiliates can come together to share insights, discuss questions, and exchange effective practices related to REDI.
Mark your calendars for the last Friday of each month from 10:00 - 11:00 am for a virtual session to explore REDI-related topics. Sign up below, and we'll send you the Zoom link to join us for this engaging discussion.
Thrive & SVCN are inviting speakers — panelists, presenters, trainers, and facilitators — to submit proposals on topics including but not limited to:
Racial Justice
Race and Identity
Organizational Culture
Governance and Nonprofit Boards
REDI Metrics and Accountability
Support System
Healing and Wellness
We encourage submissions from speakers who represent a wide range of backgrounds and we welcome speakers from outside Silicon Valley.
Thrive Alliance, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley are excited to announce OnBoard, a unique board match event, happening on Wednesday, May 15, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at the CZI Community Space.This interactive event is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations and potential board members to connect network, and enjoy mini-educational sessions and sustained connections.This program is being offered as part of the Thriving Nonprofit Workforce Initiative, guided by our TNWI Steering Committee, and thanks to the support of The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, this event is free of charge.Expect a diverse range of board candidates in attendance, including:
Alumni from national universities and local community colleges
Graduates of local leadership programs
Business professionals and tech industry leaders
Exhibitor registration for OnBoard is full, and registration for board prospects opens soon.
Upcoming Thrive Events
Thrive RISE April Meeting Earthquake Preparedness Month: Safety Tips and the Future of Seismic Policy in San Mateo County
Wednesday, April 24, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Virtual
In honor of Earthquake Preparedness Month, join us for a discussion on how to work towards comprehensive seismic safety in San Mateo County. Sarah Atkinson, Hazard Resilience Senior Policy Manager for SPUR, will discuss seismic risk in our region, how to protect people and housing, and opportunities to integrate risk-reducing policies into upcoming Safety Element updates for multiple jurisdictions across the county. Dena Gunning, Community Risk and Resiliency Specialist for Central County Fire and Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) Bay Area Committee Co-Chair will then share practical earthquake preparedness actions you can take as an individual and an organization.
If you're in a coalition and you're comfortable, you know it's not a broad enough coalition. – Bernice Johnson Reagon
If you’re involved in an organization that has identified the need for change but doesn’t know how to make a meaningful impact alone, participating in a coalition or even starting one might be one powerful strategy. The goals of this workshop are to increase your skills and understanding of collaborative processes and structures.
We’ll hear from a great line-up of panelists who will share their insights on developing and nourishing successful coalitions, focused on:
What is coalition-building and why are we doing it?
How to practice democracy and shared leadership in a coalition.
What are the different structures of coalitions, ranging from temporary and informal to highly structured with legal constructs.
What are various coalition and collective action models.
Decision-making and handling conflicting personalities and ideas, and cultural differences within coalitions.
The importance and limitations of relationships in coalitions.
Centering racial equity in coalitions.
Incorporating community voices, including educating community members – particularly those with lived experience of the harms that you’re trying to address – to be at the forefront of decision-making.
Practical and resource challenges in coalition-building and how to tackle them.
Building Momentum for Resilience Hubs Across the Bay Area
March 26 - May 22, Virtual
Join Thrive Alliance and Collective Resilience for a three-part workshop series to understand the landscape of resilience hubs in the Bay Area, learn the concepts and tools needed to develop resilience hubs, and develop partnerships with nonprofits, governments, and funders. We will lay the groundwork to develop a robust network of resilience hubs across the Bay Area for communities that need them most.
The workshops will be interactive, feature guest speakers with expertise in developing resilience hubs with opportunities for networking and peer-to-peer learning. The series is free for community members and small organizations, with a suggested fee for large organizations, businesses, and government agencies. These fees go toward speaker stipends and organizer costs, with any remaining funds to be put toward a fund for resilience hub development. Registration enrolls you for all three sessions.
Session 2: Funding and Development of Resilience Hubs
Healthy Homes for All: Expanding Access to Electrification Programs for Renters in San Mateo County
May 16 & May 23, 2:00 - 3:30 pm, Virtual
Join us for a two-part series sponsored by Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) that explores the vital role of electrification in promoting home health and sustainability in San Mateo County communities. We will focus on the unique barriers that renters face to electrify their homes, highlighting the challenges of developing and implementing electrification programs that serve both renters and homeowners. We will also brainstorm and identify best practices for fostering landlord-tenant collaboration for a greener, healthier future.
Join Citizens' Climate Lobby for a film screening of a TED documentary, A New Climate Vision.
Welcoming at the Polls: How Poll Workers Ensure Accessible Elections for All
Wednesday, April 24, 11:00 - 12:00 pm, Virtual
Join Welcoming America, in partnership with Power the Polls, for a webinar that will explore the critical role of poll workers in ensuring fair and safe access to the ballot box for all voters. Register here.
Join Legal Services for Prisoners to rally at the state capitol for the annual Quest for Democracy event. Every year, Legal Services for Prisoners bus hundreds of formerly incarcerated persons to Sacramento to meet directly with their elected legislators. Please join and support the movement to advocate for the rights of persons formerly and currently incarcerated. Register here.
Join CEN to find and hire new employees, particularly remotely, demanding time and energy. With organizations aiming to rebuild or expand services due to rising demand, the challenge of selecting suitable candidates intensifies. Cutting corners to fill gaps quickly might seem appealing, but a poor hire can disrupt your team and cause more significant long-term costs. Register here.
Join Quinteto Latino for an opera that chronicles the life and work of Olga Talamante, a legendary Chicanx leader and LGBTQ+ activist. The opera explores her journey from working the garlic fields as a child in Gilroy, California, to her decades of activism in the US, Mexico, and Argentina, where she became a political prisoner. Ultimately, Olga frees herself from the psychological hold of her captors and releases her heart from 40 years of suppressing the memories of violence perpetrated against her. She finally finds peace and, in healing, the love of her life, Vola. Register here.
Soul Stroll 2024
Saturday, May 18, 8:00 - 12:00 pm, In-Person
Join the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC) for Soul Stroll 2024! Let's step into a world of possibility and embark on a journey to change the narrative for our communities. Walk for health–and for life! Each step honors our bodies, minds, and spirits, nurturing a sense of well-being beyond the trail. Register here.
Welcoming America: We’re All In: Preparing for Welcoming Week 2024
Tuesday, May 30, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Virtual
Join Welcoming America to receive the latest updates and resources for a successful Welcoming Week event. Welcoming Week 2024 is only a few months away, starting September 13-22.
This upcoming webinar will have the opportunity to:
Learn more about this year's theme and the 2024 toolkit
Hear from past event hosts about their best practices and success stories
Get a step-by-step guide on how to add your event to the map
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