Boards by the Bay 2026 — Galveston's Signature Nonprofit Leadership Event
Signature Nonprofit Event · 2026

Boards by the Bay

Happy Boards. Happy Town.
Building Better Boards. Strengthening Stronger Nonprofits.
Creating a More Connected Galveston.
Brought to you by
Happy Town Community
Hosted by
MarMo Innovation
Date
Friday, October 9, 2026
Annual signature event
Time
9:00 AM
Full-day program
Location
MarMo Plaza
2121 Market Street
Galveston, TX 77550
About the Summit

A one-day leadership summit for Galveston's nonprofit community.

Boards by the Bay is a one-day leadership summit designed exclusively for nonprofit board members, executive directors, emerging leaders, community volunteers, foundations, and corporate partners who are committed to making Galveston County stronger.

Hosted by Happy Town Community Galveston, this inaugural event brings together local leaders for a day of learning, collaboration, and relationship building. Unlike traditional conferences that focus on theory, Boards by the Bay is designed to provide practical tools, real-world examples, and meaningful connections that participants can immediately take back to their organizations.

Why Attend

Strong nonprofits begin with strong leadership.

Whether you're an experienced board member, a first-time volunteer, or an executive director looking to build a more engaged board, Boards by the Bay offers valuable insights that help organizations become more effective, sustainable, and impactful.

Participants will leave with:
Practical governance tools and board best practices you can put to work immediately.
Strategies for fundraising, financial stewardship, and long-term organizational sustainability.
Insights from local foundations and community funders on what they value in nonprofit partnerships.
Opportunities to learn from successful Galveston nonprofit collaborations already making an impact.
Resources that strengthen board recruitment, engagement, and leadership development.
New relationships with fellow nonprofit leaders, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
What to Expect

A full day of learning & connection.

The day features an engaging mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, case studies, networking opportunities, and interactive learning sessions on topics that matter to Galveston nonprofits.

Board governance & leadership
Financial management & fiduciary responsibilities
Building high-performing boards
Collaboration over competition
AI & emerging tools for nonprofits
Economic development & partnerships
Funder perspectives & grant readiness
Local nonprofit success stories
🍸 Happy Hour · 4–5 PM

Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to connect with exhibitors, service providers, and organizations offering products and services designed specifically for nonprofits.

Who Should Attend

Built for everyone shaping Galveston's nonprofits.

Boards by the Bay welcomes anyone invested in stronger boards and stronger community outcomes.

Current nonprofit board members
Executive directors & nonprofit staff
Aspiring nonprofit board members
Emerging community leaders
Foundation representatives
Corporate community relations pros
Businesses that support nonprofits
Volunteers wanting greater impact
Why Galveston

Hundreds of nonprofits. One community.

Galveston is home to hundreds of nonprofit organizations working every day to improve education, the arts, historic preservation, health care, environmental stewardship, social services, and quality of life. While each organization serves a unique mission, they all face similar challenges in governance, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and organizational sustainability.

Boards by the Bay creates a shared space where organizations can learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and build a more connected nonprofit community — because when our boards become stronger, our nonprofits become stronger, and our entire community benefits.

Our Vision

Galveston County's premier nonprofit leadership conference.

Our vision is to establish Boards by the Bay as Galveston County's premier annual nonprofit leadership conference — an event that inspires collaboration, develops stronger community leaders, and equips nonprofit organizations with the knowledge, resources, and relationships they need to create lasting impact.

Together, we're building better boards, stronger nonprofits, and a happier, more connected Galveston.

Happy Boards. Happy Town.
Registration Options

Choose your registration.

Three ways to join us at Boards by the Bay — as an attendee, exhibitor, or nonprofit representative with an exhibit space.

Individual
Attendee Registration
$ 75
Per person

Full access to all sessions, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities throughout the day.

Includes
All educational sessions
Lunch & Happy Hour
Networking with local leaders
Access to exhibitor showcase
Business
Business Exhibitor Registration
$ 100
Per exhibitor space

For businesses and corporate partners who want to showcase products, services, or partnerships at the event.

Includes
Full event access
One 6-foot exhibitor table
Two chairs
Nonprofit exhibitor add-on: If you're a nonprofit attendee who'd like to showcase your organization, add an exhibitor space for just $25 on top of your $75 attendee registration — total $100. Select this option during registration below.
Save Your Seat

Reserve your place at the table.

Registration takes just a few minutes. Board members, executive directors, staff, and community partners are all welcome — join us in strengthening Galveston's nonprofit community.

Friday, October 9, 2026
9:00 AM
MarMo Plaza · Galveston, TX
Have questions before registering? Email us or call (409) 502-8410.
More Ways to Participate

Beyond your registration.

Whether cost is a barrier or you want to give more, there's a path for everyone at Boards by the Bay.

Scholarship Opportunity
Registration fee shouldn't be a barrier.

Thanks to the generous support of Mary Moody Northen Endowment, a limited number of scholarships are available. If the fee would prevent you from participating, we encourage you to apply.

Apply for a Scholarship
Sponsored by Mary Moody Northen Endowment · available while funding remains
For Businesses & Foundations
Or partner with us as a sponsor.

Support Galveston's nonprofit leaders while putting your organization in front of the community shaping the future of our island.

5 sponsorship tiers · $500 to $10,000
Plus in-kind Community Partners for goods & services (catering, A/V, photography).
View Sponsorship Details
See you at the bay.

Happy Boards.
Happy Town.

Every strong nonprofit begins with a strong board. Boards by the Bay is where Galveston's leaders come to sharpen governance, build partnerships, and shape what's next.

— The Boards by the Bay Planning Committee