Learn the essential tips and strategies for successful fundraising in Center for Excellence in Nonprofit's (CEN) interactive Fundraising Basics Workshop! Participants will explore the basic fundraising process, gain a framework for building a comprehensive fundraising plan, and learn how to develop a case for support and then strategies to communicate it effectively to donors. CEN will also touch on the Board's role in fundraising and how best to support these efforts. This beginner level session will leave you with the templates and resources you need to start fundraising more strategically.

Fixin’ SMC is inviting everyone to celebrate its Five Year Anniversary at their annual fundraising Garden Party. The event will take place on June 28th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Guests can look forward to enjoying food, refreshments, and engaging conversations in a beautiful garden setting in San Carlos.

Join fellow SIAN members and guests for an in-person happy hour sponsored by Five Star Bank. There’s nothing like getting together in person to build relationships and friendships. Everyone is encouraged to hang out with local Social Impact Advisor Network friends! The gathering will take place on the patio of Five Star Bank, the hosts of the event. For any questions, attendees can reach out to Deborah at sian@fairlightadvisors.com.

Voting does not have to be boring. If one is stuck with the image of voter engagement as merely two seated volunteers behind a table with clipboards, there are ample opportunities to expand that imagination when it comes to engaging communities around voting and civic engagement. Participants will hear from various partners about how they have transformed their initiatives from basic to bustling, igniting excitement within their communities about participating in democracy. Americans for the Arts will share insights on voter engagement initiatives that range from flash mobs to voter line serenades, highlighting opportunities to collaborate with artists in voter engagement efforts. Additionally, Warm Cookies of the Revolution will discuss creative initiatives like “The Huddle” during televised football games, “High Stakes” Texas Hold‘em to provoke thought on money in politics, and “This Machine Has a Soul,” an arts-based participatory budgeting process. While real cookies may not travel well via a virtual webinar, the experience promises to be worthwhile for all attendees!

On behalf of Supervisor Gauthier, the community is invited to join San Mateo County’s Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at the County Courtyard, 500 County Center, Redwood City. Juneteenth serves as a time to honor Black freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice, creating an opportunity for reflection, celebration, and community. This year’s ceremony will feature special performances, speakers, and moments of recognition as they commemorate the significance of Juneteenth and celebrate the rich contributions of Black communities throughout the county. It would be a great honor for everyone to come together for this meaningful occasion.

The Social Impact Advisory Network (SIAN) Social Hour invites guests to join their gatherings. This initiative was founded by a group of like-minded professionals dedicated to serving the nonprofit community as consultants, board members, nonprofit leaders, donors, and local public officials. Their mission is to raise awareness about the critical need for investment in a nonprofit organization's infrastructure, aiming to ensure long-term stability and strength.

Join the Half Moon Bay community for live music, drag performances, food, family fun zone, local vendors, and non-profit resources!

During a crisis, nonprofits need the support of their board to navigate the challenge with intentionality. This includes responding to internal challenges like leadership changes or financial strain, as well as the broader political context and the impact it can have on an organization’s stability, decision-making, and community relationships. Megan Joseph from Impact Launch will present a forward-looking workshop on the skills boards need to be resilient, collaborative, and grounded during a complex political and funding landscape.

East Palo Alto residents are invited to a Free Emergency Preparedness Event. Come learn about how to better prepare for emergencies and disasters that could impact our local area.

Free Emergency Preparedness Kit for All Attendees!

Call/text 650-200-0814 To reserve your spot!

Join Thrive Alliance and the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits community for a Stroll to the Polls as we walk together from the Center to the ballot drop box at the Redwood Shores Library. Making our voices heard matters—and sometimes, it starts with simply showing up, side by side.

You’re welcome whether you’re dropping off your ballot that day or have already submitted it. This is a chance to connect, reflect, and engage in conversation about the kind of change we hope to see in our communities. The walk is about 25 minutes each way, so we’ll be together for a little over an hour.

Let’s move together, build community, and honor the power of civic participation—one step at a time.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Join us on April 29 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM 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. 

Join us as we 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

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!

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 Love Our Earth Festival is a vibrant community event dedicated to celebrating environmental progress and fostering collaboration among local organizations and residents. This annual gathering offers a day filled with educational exhibits, children's activities, live entertainment, and delicious plant-based cuisine from local food trucks. Attendees can engage with environmental experts, explore sustainability initiatives, and participate in fun crafts, such as T-shirt screenprinting (just bring a shirt from home!). Sponsored by organizations including 350 Silicon Valley and the City of East Palo Alto, the festival aims to inspire hope and motivate action towards a greener future.

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.

Join us in person for this Nonprofit Advocacy Series 201 workshop to strengthen your skills in engaging elected officials.

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.

This workshop is the third workshop in the Nonprofit Advocacy Series 201—brought to you by Thrive Alliance and Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, thanks to a grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

OnBoard 2026 connects you with local nonprofits and opportunities to step into board service.

Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your professional expertise and lived experience to make a lasting impact in your community?

At Thrive OnBoard, you’ll have the opportunity to meet local nonprofits actively seeking board members and learn how your skills, perspectives, and experiences can support their work. Whether you're exploring board service for the first time or looking to grow your impact, this event will help you build connections, gain insight into nonprofit governance, and find a role that aligns with your values.