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.
Arab American Heritage Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Arab American communities. At Thrive Alliance, we honor the impact of Arab American leaders, advocates, and nonprofit professionals who help strengthen and uplift our communities every day.
Thrive Events & Announcements
United for Youth: Partnerships in Education Convening
We invite nonprofits to come together to reaffirm our shared commitment to the United for Youth plan.
In the face of an evolving and uncertain landscape, this event offers a space to connect, learn, and move forward with purpose.
At this gathering, we will recommit to achieving the goals of the United for Youth Plan, even in this uncertain environment:
We'll receive expert guidance by Dr. Rebecca Mendiola, CEO and Co-Founder of Collective Impact Solutions, on the new funding formula
We’ll hear from nonprofits on how they continue to operate within this current landscape, and from cross-sector partners on how they have supported these broader initiatives
We'll launch the new United for Youth Nonprofit Community of Practice, co-facilitated by SMCOE and Thrive Alliance
Due to limited space, we ask that you register only two people per organization.
We are thrilled to announce that board candidate registration is open forOnBoard 2026!This year marks the eighth Thrive OnBoard, the ultimate board matching event for San Mateo County nonprofits.
We are bringing together nearly 50 nonprofit organizations—ranging from environmental justice and education to human services and the arts—all seeking the dedicated leadership to drive their missions forward. Whether you are a seasoned board member or a first-time volunteer leader, your diverse perspective and expertise can make a difference in a local nonprofit.
Recruit your next board leaders at Thrive OnBoard 2026! If you are a local nonprofit looking to recruit more board members, register now to exhibit at our annual OnBoard event. Hosted on April 22 in Redwood City, this event is the ultimate opportunity to showcase your organization to a diverse pool of local professionals and community members eager to serve. To ensure you find a great match, Nonprofit Exhibitors also receive access to a new Virtual Workshop Series focused on strategic recruitment and board readiness. Don’t miss this chance to make impactful connections.
OnBoard 2026 is your chance to showcase your work, network with experts, and engage with diverse professionals who are eager to make a difference. Together, let’s build a thriving nonprofit workforce! Registration will be closing soon. Be sure to secure your spot soon.
Please join us for our Thrive RISE COAD Quarterly Meeting. We will be sharing exciting updates regarding the SMCEM Emergency Communications Plan, as well as walking through the CBO Capability Assessment Survey that will launch in early April. All COAD members and individuals interested in emergency management and community preparedness are encouraged to join.
At the Table: Building Relationships in Local Government
Thursday, April 23, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
In-Person
This training focuses on effectively engaging local officials to advance policy and advocacy goals.
Build a deeper understanding of how to engage local elected officials and government staff effectively. This training will break down navigating relationship-building within legal parameters,securing key votes, and understanding when to meet with elected officials and government staff.
Through real-life examples and practice, you will strengthen your ability to advance your organization or coalition's policy priorities and advocacy campaign goals.
Join us for the Voter Education and Outreach Advisory Committee (VEOAC) virtual convening. Connect with partners from across San Mateo County as we align outreach efforts, share key election updates, and build momentum for inclusive and impactful voter engagement.
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.
Invitation to the Town Hall Meeting with Your Representative
Thursday, April 9, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join the community for a Town Hall hosted by the representative for California’s 15th Congressional District at the College of San Mateo Theater. This event provides a valuable opportunity for constituents to engage with their representative and discuss pressing concerns regarding the federal government. With limited space for in-person attendance, residents are encouraged to register for tickets in advance. Participation is vital, whether attendees have questions, concerns, or simply wish to learn more about the work being done on their behalf. Town halls like this are essential for understanding the issues that matter most to the community and ensuring their voices are heard in Congress.
Harvard Business School Community Partners: Pro Bono Consulting Opportunities for Nonprofits
Harvard Business School Community Partners is currently offering pro bono consulting support to 501(c)3 organizations facing significant decisions. They are accepting applications for Brainstorming Sessions, which are 90-minute, focused meetings where HBS alumni volunteers provide advice on specific dilemmas, such as target audience prioritization, outreach strategies, refining value propositions, and expanding board development networks. These sessions are available through the summer of 2026, and interested organizations can download the application and find more details.
Applications Open for Leadership Council San Mateo County 10-Month Programs
Leadership Council San Mateo County is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 10-month leadership programs: Leadership CORPS for senior leaders and Emerging Leaders for early- to mid-career professionals. Open to those who live or work in San Mateo County, both programs help participants make meaningful progress in their work and communities while fostering cross-sector collaboration. Apply by Friday, May 1, 2026!
Blue Zones Ignite San Mateo County Community Keynote Event
Tues, April 7, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, In-Person
Peninsula Health Care District is partnering with Blue Zones to explore how our community can create environments that make healthy choices easier, supporting people to live longer, better lives at every stage.
The community is invited to attend a special Blue Zones Keynote Presentation marking the official launch of the Ignite Assessment in San Mateo County.
Why this Keynote Matters
This keynote will set the vision for the Ignite Assessment and introduce the research, stories, and possibilities behind Blue Zones. It’s an opportunity to:
Learn how other communities have successfully improved well-being
Understand what the Assessment will explore in San Mateo County
Hear inspiring examples of small changes that can lead to big community impact
Get energized about what’s possible when a community comes together around well-being
Pacific Beach Coalition: PBC Earth Day EcoFest 2026
Sat, April 18, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, In-Person
Pacific Beach Coalition's annual Earth Day EcoFest is a free, family-friendly outdoor community event. Starting off the day at 9am across more than 15 site locations for cleanup and habitat restoration events across San Mateo County, the fun continues from 10:30am - 1:30pm with our main festival event at Pacifica State Beach in Linda Mar.
World Café 2026 is a vibrant, in-person community gathering filled with meaningful conversations, new connections, and great energy. Join for an evening of storytelling and dialogue!
This year’s theme centers youth voices as young panelists share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas for change. Together, community members and local leaders will listen, learn, and explore ways to build trust and create more welcoming spaces for youth in Redwood City through stronger programs, safer third spaces, and meaningful civic engagement.
County of San Mateo Veteran Service Providers 3rd Annual Networking Event and Luncheon
Thur, April 23, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, In-Person
The County of San Mateo is hosting its 3rd Annual Networking Event and Luncheon for Veteran Service Providers on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This event will take place from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the San Mateo Elk’s Lodge, located at 229 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow providers, share valuable resources, and strengthen partnerships in support of the veteran community. With seating limited to the first 200 attendees, it is recommended to secure a spot as soon as possible, as spaces are filling quickly.
Homework Central will host "Stars in the Making," a gala fundraising event aimed at supporting its mission to provide vital academic support for students in five different San Mateo elementary schools. The event will take place at the Assembly Room in the San Mateo Senior Center and will feature hors d’oeuvres, beverages, speakers, and an auction. They look forward to seeing everyone there!
Redwood City Library Foundation: Night at the Library: Spirits & More Spirits!
Sat, April 25, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, In-Person
Every so often the library becomes magical and opens up its secrets! Think PBS Mystery meets Ghosts meets NYT Games!
The Redwood City Library Foundation invites you to solve a literary mystery after hours in the library. Enjoy food, cocktails, live music, puzzles, prizes & meet literary spirits, while raising funds for the library. Admission includes one puzzle hint, appetizers, dessert & a complimentary themed cocktail. Ages 21+ only. RSVP by April 20th.
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.
One Life Counseling Center: Community Wellness Lunch & Learn
Thur, May 7, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, In-Person
Join One Life Counseling Wellness Lunch & Learn during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Many professionals appear to be thriving while quietly carrying pressures that drain their energy and impact their wellbeing.
At this engaging session, One Life Counseling Center will explore the hidden pressures people face at work and in life — and share practical tools to help move from stress to strength.
Sanchez Art Center: 2026 Left Coast Annual Exhibition and 2025 LCA Awards Exhibition
April 10 - May 10, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, In-Person
The 2026 Left Coast Annual Exhibition at Sanchez Art Center, showcasing works from artists across the Pacific Coast, opens with a reception on April 10, featuring 50 carefully selected pieces reflecting contemporary themes of insecurity and upheaval. Juror Scott A. Shields emphasizes how these submissions manifest the intersecting crises of our time, highlighting how art can act as a catalyst for creativity and resilience. Each artwork in the exhibition presents a unique perspective, from Doug McCune's bronze depiction of discarded technology to Gretchen Telzrow's poignant exploration of grief through a video installation. Visitors can also enjoy a Juror’s Talk and Artists Gallery Walk on April 11, providing insights into the works and the creative processes behind them.
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