On March 27, 2026, 30 nonprofit leaders from 16 Galveston organizations got on a bus together. Several others braved Houston traffic. Some came with board challenges they’ve been trying to solve for months. All were headed to Rice University’s Center for Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leadership’s Best Boards Conference.

By the time the day began, more than 70 nonprofit leaders and board members from Galveston were in the room.
You could feel it immediately.

By the end of the day, they came back with new ideas, new relationships, and clear next steps they can take with their boards.

United Way of Galveston plays a specific role in our community. Bringing people together, creating space for honest conversation, and making sure nonprofit leaders have somewhere to turn when they need support, perspective, or a place to start.

At a Glance

• 30 participants traveled together from Galveston
• 70+ Galveston nonprofit leaders and board members attended overall
• 16 organizations represented on the bus

Early feedback from participants who responded to the post-event survey:

• Most described the experience as very or extremely useful
• All respondents reported making new or strengthened connections
• All respondents said attending as part of a United Way group enhanced their experience
• Average likelihood to recommend: 9.6 out of 10

The Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund sponsored tuition for 40 nonprofit leaders and board members to attend the conference, expanding access for Galveston organizations.

That support opened the door for more Galveston organizations to be in the room.

The Organizations Leading This Work

The strength of the day came from who showed up. Leaders from across Galveston brought different experiences, different challenges, and a shared willingness to learn from each other:

• Artist Boat
• Arts Downtown GTX
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast
• Build Galveston CDC
• Family Service Center
• Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy
• Galveston Artist Residency
• Galveston Children’s Museum
• Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project
• Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council
• GCTPC Parenting Support Center
• Groundswell
• Happy Town Community
• Moody Early Childhood Center
• Nia Cultural Center
• Old Central Carver Park Neighborhood Association
• SMART Family Literacy
• Teen Health Center
• United Way of Galveston
• Vision Galveston

Putting those voices in the same space changes the conversation.

Who Was in the Room

The group included board members, executive leadership, and senior staff, bringing different perspectives into the same conversation.

Boards and staff are hearing the same ideas at the same time and can move faster because of it.

What People Are Already Putting Into Practice

The Best Boards Conference focused on how boards function and how they can better support the organizations they serve.

Participants left with a clearer understanding of board practices, emerging issues, and practical approaches they can take back with them.

• Bringing ideas to their board or leadership team
• Revisiting current board practices and policies
• Trying new approaches to engagement and accountability
• Continuing conversations started at the conference

“Keeping the board engaged and making sure they feel part of the nonprofit, and feel appreciated.”

On the ride back, people were already comparing notes and talking through what they wanted to try first.

That’s where this starts to show up in real work.

Stronger Connections, Not Just New Contacts

“The number of Galveston area nonprofits who attended. Community.”

Survey respondents shared that attending as part of a United Way group strengthened their experience, and many left with new or deeper relationships with other local leaders.

Those relationships carry forward into future conversations, collaborations, and shared problem-solving across organizations.

What We’re Hearing from the Field

What came through clearly is this:

People are looking for practical support.
They want real conversations with peers.
They want a place to go when they’re trying to figure something out.

That’s the gap we are continuing to fill.

Whether it’s through shared learning experiences like this, Lunch & Learns, or deeper work through Coffee & Quality, United Way of Galveston is building a place where nonprofit leaders can come to learn, connect, and move forward.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who showed up, engaged fully, and brought energy to the day.

A stronger nonprofit community doesn’t happen by accident.

If you’re trying to figure something out in your organization, you don’t have to do it alone. Start with us.