OnBoard 2026

ABOUT ONBOARD

OnBoard is Thrive Alliance’s signature board matching event, serving as the bridge between San Mateo County’s nonprofit sector and a diverse pool of professionals and community members ready to lead. Now in its eighth year, OnBoard 2026 continues to strengthen our local nonprofit by connecting them with dedicated individuals looking to contribute to their local community.

Thrive brings together nearly 50 local organizations—representing sectors from environmental justice and education to human services to the arts—to meet with leaders eager to apply their skills, lived experience, and passion toward community governance. By connecting mission-driven organizations with qualified candidates, OnBoard ensures that local boards are equipped with the diverse perspectives and expertise necessary to thrive.

To ensure a successful matching process, both Nonprofit Exhibitors and board candidates have the opportunity to participate in Pre-Event Virtual Workshops in the weeks leading up to the event. These sessions are designed to prepare organizations for strategic recruitment and empower participants to explore board opportunities with confidence.

Registered Nonprofit Exhibitors and board candidates will receive an email with details on how to join each workshop.

Workshop I (Nonprofit Exhibitors)

What’s in Your Board Sundae? Designing Your Ideal Board

March 26, 2026, 2-3pm; Virtual

Workshop II (Board Candidates) - Presented by Leadership Council San Mateo County

Finding Your Fight on a Nonprofit Board

April 7, 2026, 12-1pm; Virtual

This 1-hour interactive orientation, facilitated by the Leadership Council of San Mateo County, is designed to help prospective board candidates understand board service expectations and what makes a strong board-member match. Through guided conversations, discussion, and practical preparation, participants will identify their skills, interests, and motivations, learn how to evaluate nonprofit opportunities for fit, and gain a clearer sense of the impact they want to make. Participants will leave the session more informed, prepared, and confident to engage with Nonprofit Exhibitors at OnBoard 2026.

Workshop III (Nonprofit Exhibitors)

Finding the Right Ingredients: Recruiting Your Next Board Members

April 9, 2026, 2-3pm; Virtual

Workshop IV (Board Candidates) - Presented by Stanford Women on Boards

Be a Leading-Edge Steward in the Nonprofit Boardroom

April 17, 2026, 12-1pm; Virtual

This informative session, presented by Stanford Women on Boards, will give you practical insights and resources to thrive in a nonprofit board position optimized for your passion and skills. Jere King, an experienced nonprofit leader, will discuss learnings from board practitioners to help you not only prepare yourself for the right board, but also how to excel in that role based on the principles of Stanford’s Leading-Edge Stewardship model. Participants will leave the session equipped with a self-assessment tool, practical advice, and access to readily available videos and articles to build their influence in the boardroom.