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
Bus to Sacramento: Advocate for VLF Funding on May 7
On Tuesday, nearly 60 people from across San Mateo County traveled to Sacramento to speak in support of VLF funding. Their voices made an impact, and the subcommittee signaled openness to fixing the funding gap. Thrive Alliance was proud to support this county-wide effort alongside partners like Samaritan House. While more work remains, it was an important step forward.
Thrive Alliance and friends invite you to join a coalition of San Mateo County stakeholders in Sacramento to again advocate for the restoration of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) funding.
Senator Becker will be presenting a request to the Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 and needs supportive public comment from San Mateo County stakeholders. Thrive Alliance is coordinating a charter bus to Sacramento, funded through a generous contribution by Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). This is an opportunity to show your support for our community and make your voice heard. To reserve your spot on the bus, please register here.
We will depart from the San Mateo County Event Center at 7:30 am, with breakfast provided on the bus. Upon arriving in Sacramento around 10 am, we'll meet at 10th and L St to attend a press conference organized by Senator Josh Becker at 10:30 am, followed by the Senate hearing at 11:30 am. We will be accompanied on the bus by a local reporter who will be capturing your stories about the potential impact of the VLF shortfall. Let’s make our presence count on this critical day!
The Partnerships in Education Convening brought together leaders, partners, and community members for a day of connection, shared learning, and renewed commitment to United for Youth: Vision 2030. Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on strengthening collaboration and advancing a more coordinated approach to youth well-being. Keynote speaker Dr. Rebecca Mendiola of Collective Impact Solutions shared insights on the future of funding, while a panel moderated by Dr. Amy Gerstein of the Stanford John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities featured perspectives from Talavou Aumavae, Theresa De Dios, Ivan Reyes Martinez, and Annya Shapiro.
We are grateful to Sand Hill Foundation for their generous support and continued investment in the youth ecosystem. The convening also included a heartfelt tribute to former County Superintendent Nancy Magee, with County Superintendent of Schools Marco Chávez honoring her lasting legacy and leadership in advancing United for Youth. Together, the event reinforced a shared commitment to collaboration and building a stronger, more connected system of support for young people.
Thrive Updates
CBO Capabilities Assessment
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.
EPACENTER invites you to an unforgettable evening with acclaimed percussionist Pete Escovedo, a living legend whose five-decade career has helped define Latin jazz and inspire audiences around the world. This special Sunset Concert Series performance offers a rare opportunity to experience his signature timbales sound live, delivering an iconic, electrifying, and soulful journey through rhythm and musical history.
We’re thrilled to offer Thrive members a 50% discount off tickets to this event! Please use this code: SAVE50PETE
The Nonprofit Convergence, organized by SVCN, is an inaugural one-day conference that serves as a vital gathering for the nonprofit community in the greater Bay Area. It aims to address urgent challenges that nonprofits face by bringing together staff of all experience levels and partners for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and community building. This event is designed to empower the individuals and organizations that are essential to sustaining the nonprofit sector, allowing them to recharge, strategize, and strengthen their relationships within the community.
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.
Learn about your rights by listening to local experts and learning about available resources in your community. Presentations will cover your rights when interacting with federal law enforcement officials, what to do if your rights are violated and how to create a Family Preparedness plan.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities. Across our region and beyond, AAPI 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.
Mental Health Awareness Month
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.
Art Bias Community Engagement Survey
Art Bias is conducting a Community Engagement Survey aimed at gathering feedback from the public. Located in San Carlos, Art Bias seeks input from both past visitors and those new to the center. The insights collected through this short survey, which takes about 2–3 minutes to complete, will help the organization understand how individuals on the Peninsula discover, experience, and connect with Art Bias. The information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future events, outreach efforts, and programming to better serve the community.
Sustainable San Mateo County: emPOWERing the Peninsula
Wed, May 6, 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm, Virtual
Sustainable San Mateo County is hosting two sessions 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.
For adults and youth. Sign up for one or both sessions.
In this webinar, go behind the scenes with a panel of current council members and community advocates to see how city policy actually gets made.
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.
Art Bias invites the community to experience the creativity of Silicon Valley Open Studios with an exciting event featuring 35 talented artists showcasing their work in one location. This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate art and creativity! Attendees can enjoy various demonstrations, including “Alchemy” by Michael Endicott and Inna Zatulovsky, “Practicing Art in the Age of AI” by Shari Bryant, and hands-on art activity with Saskia van Kampen titled “Spread Love.” Plus, don’t miss the pop-up vendors like Kitchen Table Travel Co and Cloud & Crumb. A free trolley service will be available to take guests between Art Bias, Parks & Arts Foundation, and Marshall St. Garage, with a docent on board to highlight public art along the route. Everyone is welcome to partake in this vibrant celebration of art and community!
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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