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
Georgia Farooq, CEO, Thrive Alliance
We are thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone alongside Georgia as she marks her 10th Anniversary with Thrive Alliance! On behalf of our dedicated staff, board, and the vibrant San Mateo County nonprofit community, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitute.
Over the past decade, Georgia’s leadership has transformed the way we connect with our community, deepened partnerships, and encouraged collaboration. Her grace, intention, and unwavering commitment have strengthened our work, and we are truly grateful to have her with us.
Virtual Town Hall on Vehicle License Fee Recovery
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Zoom
The Vehicle License Fee (VLF) is a significant revenue source for California's local governments, helping to fund essential services like public safety and infrastructure. However, San Mateo County has faced substantial shortfalls, with $157 million in VLF in-lieu funds owed to our residents. Addressing this funding gap is crucial for maintaining the services our community relies on.
To discuss these pressing issues and update stakeholders, the County Executive Office will host a virtual town hall on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This event will provide valuable insights on the Revised State Budget and the status of discussions with key state officials, as well as efforts by local legislators to seek a permanent solution. Participants will have the chance to learn about next steps in our advocacy strategies and engage in a Q&A session to address any questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and get involved in supporting our community’s needs.
Click here for the Zoom link to join the town hall.
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, and 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.
Urgent Call to Action: Protect Funding for Youth and Community Voices in Behavioral Health
Youth Leadership Council is calling on all of us to act.
The K-12 Behavioral Health Campaign, launched just last November, is already on the chopping block in the Governor's May Revise. The proposed cuts would eliminate $6.7 million in funding for advocacy contracts, ensuring that young people, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and other impacted groups have a voice in shaping behavioral health policy. Simply put: no community voice, no real solutions.
Budget hearings are happening this week. Email or testify before your Assemblymember and Senator and urge them to reject the May Revise and restore this funding.
TODAY, May 19 at 2 pm | Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health | State Capitol, Room 126
TOMORROW, May 20 at 1:30 pm | Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services | 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Talking Points
The Governor's May Revise proposes cutting funding to the Behavioral Health Commission and eliminating the advocacy contracts it oversees.
These contracts exist to ensure impacted communities have a say in how policies and practices are developed.
This is how young people, LGBTQ+ folks, immigrant communities, and many others make sure their lived experiences shape behavioral health solutions.
Attempting to address the behavioral health crisis without centering the community voice is not a real solution.
Young people across the state are engaged in advocacy visits, the Behavioral Health Services Act, and broader efforts to make pathways to health more accessible.
Reject the May Revise and ensure the $6.7 million is preserved to protect and strengthen the community voice in California's behavioral health system.
The talking points and phone/email script are available. Reach out to Andrea Gil at agil@yli.org if you need additional information.
Community Briefing on ICE Detentions and Solidarity in San Mateo County
Join Faith in Action Bay Area for a Community Briefing to ground us in the reality of what is happening with ICE detentions at the local level and how we can respond in solidarity together. We will also hear from our state legislators’ offices about how they will support our immigrant community this legislative session.
Dinner will be provided and the event will be bilingual in English and Spanish.
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 AANHPI 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.
The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) is excited to announce the 2026 Call for Projects, which includes funding opportunities through various programs such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) One Bay Area Grant 4 (OBAG 4), the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA), and the MTC Community Action Resource and Empowerment - Technical Assistance (CARE TA). This funding is available via a competitive Call for Projects process, with applications evaluated by C/CAG and final project selection overseen by the MTC.
Key details regarding the application process and associated workshops are as follows:
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026, by 12:00 p.m. PT
Applicant Workshop: May 15, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Office Hours: May 26, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - June 3, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - June 8, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Public Workshop: May 19, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
For more information, including application guidelines and workshop details, click here.
District 2 Office Hours
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
Social Impact Advisor Network: Top Tips for Capital Campaigns
Tues, May 19, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Social Impact Advisor Network is hosting an insightful discussion tailored for nonprofit professionals interested in capital campaigns. This event will feature a panel of experts, including Corinna Krauskopf, founder of Fearless Philanthropi, who empowers fundraisers with transformative tools; Jaimi Cortes, a philanthropic advisor and social impact consultant with COR Philanthropic Strategies; and John Bost, the executive director of Open Heart Kitchen, which serves meals to those facing food insecurity. The conversation will be moderated by Deborah Finestone from Fairlight Advisors, ensuring a well-rounded exploration of strategies and insights for effective capital campaigns.
Sustainable San Mateo County: emPOWERing the Peninsula - Free Advocacy Training Workshop
Wed, May 20, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Virtual
Sustainable San Mateo County is hosting a free online workshop to help residents learn how to give public comment and provide input to their city governments about the programs and policies that can help drive the transition to clean energy, clean air and a more resilient San Mateo County. This is a hands-on workshop to refine your message, connect with local partners and practice the art of the public comment. Coaches joining the session include current and former councilmembers and experienced community advocates.
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