Every year Code for Philly organizes signature hackathons that are centered around a theme. Hackathons are great for bringing the community together as well as involving subject-matter experts in civic tech. It’s a long, fun weekend that is sometimes compared to sleepaway camp for adults. Which is pretty accurate.

This year we have three hackathons planned, and the first is called Apps for Philly: Democracy 2016.

A hackathon is only as good as the team that plans and runs it, and we hope you’ll be part of that team! The hackathon planning committee will get to shape the direction of the thematic hackathons, diversify the civic hacking community, scout out data and solicit new datasets from organizations, and generally have fun.

Do you need to know how to code?

If you’re a civic tech enthusiast, but don’t have the tech skillz, helping organize events is one of the best ways to meet the community and contribute to the movement. If you are one of those with tech skills the hackathon planning committee is a chance to help shape the hackathon content or just flex your planning muscles.

What kind of things can you work on?

  • Finding and communicating with expert panelists

  • Connecting and collaborating with sponsors

  • Working alongside subject-matter experts and mentors

  • Facilitating data releases

  • Updating appsforphilly.org as information becomes available

  • Event onsite logistics like set up, welcoming attendees, coordinating with catering, etc.

  • General event communications like pictures, tweeting, and blogging

Interest piqued? Let’s talk more:


Join the community and check out our next event.