Richmond’s 2nd Annual Laugh for Change (2026)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

RCF Connects (Richmond Community Foundation) today announced the 2nd Annual Laughs for Change, a comedy and storytelling fundraiser taking place Thursday, August 6, 2026, at The Galileo Club in Richmond, California. The event will be headlined by acclaimed Bay Area comedian Marga Gomez, named the 2025 Best of the Bay Comedian, Diane Amos, nationally recognized actress, comedian and spokesperson (The Pine-sol Lady) and Beau Davis, brilliant and talented Bay Area Comedian, Storyteller.  The event is made possible by title sponsor Kaiser Permanente. Proceeds will support RCF Connects’ equity and fair housing-focused community programs serving Richmond and Contra Costa County.

Laughs for Change brings together professional headlining comedy and an open mic showcase of local Bay Area talent in a high-energy, community-rooted evening. The night will be hosted by Bay Area storyteller and solo performer Kimberlli Joy. Open mic performers comedians, storytellers, poets, and singer-songwriters will each take the stage for five-minute sets in a segment called Stories of the Bay. Throughout the night, audience members vote for their favorite open mic performer by casting donated dollars, with the winner crowned The RCF Connects Laughs for Change Champion earning the honor of returning as a featured comedian at the 3rd Annual event in 2027. Every voting dollar fuels RCF Connects’ community programs.

“This event is everything RCF Connects stands for community, joy, and turning collective spirit into real impact for Richmond,” said Rosalind Welch, Co-CEO of RCF Connects. “As we celebrate 26 years of serving Contra Costa County, Laughs for Change reminds us that philanthropy can be joyful, accessible, and rooted in the voices of the community we serve. “We are honored to have Marga Gomez as our headliner and deeply grateful to Kaiser Permanente for stepping forward as our title sponsor.” James Becker, Co-CEO of RCF Connects.

The 2nd Annual Laughs for Change builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event, which raised $8,000 for RCF Connects’ equity-focused programs. The move to The Galileo Club, a larger and more down-home venue, will allow the foundation to welcome more guests, more performers, and create greater impact for the community.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Open Mic Hour begins at 6:15 sharp)
• Location: The Galileo Club, 371 S 23rd St, Richmond, California
• Headliners: Marga Gomez, 2025 Best of the Bay Comedian, Diane Amos, the Pinesol Lady, Beau Davis, Bay Area Comedian, Storyteller
• Host: Kimberlli Joy
• Title Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente
• Tickets: $50 general admission (includes food catered by A Mother’s Touch), available at [ticket link]
• Open Mic Performer Applications: Now open at [application link]

Tickets are on sale now at [website/ticket link]. Bay Area comedians, storytellers, poets, and singer-songwriters are invited to apply for one of the curated five-minute open mic showcase slots.

About RCF Connects

RCF Connects (Richmond Community Foundation) is a community foundation serving Contra Costa County for 26 years. Through donor-advised funds, place-based initiatives, and equity-focused programs including Equity for Black Women and Girls (E4BWG), SparkPoint, and Healthy Homes RCF Connects builds bridges between community resources and community needs to advance economic mobility, equity, and opportunity across the region. Learn more at our website.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.