Hackathon for Social Good 2026 - CPH

Welcome to the Hackathon for Social Good 2026!TheCal Poly Humboldt Hackathon for Social Good 2026is a student-led event dedicated to creating impactful, technology-driven solutions that benefit local organizations. Hosted by theComputer Science Club at Cal Poly Humboldt, this hackathon brings together students from Cal Poly Humboldt to innovate and develop real-world applications that address social and environmental challenges in our community.This is more than just a coding competition—it's an opportunity to apply your technical skills to meaningful projects, gain hands-on experience, and connect with industry professionals and like-minded peers. Whether you're an experienced coder or just starting out, this hackathon provides an inclusive and supportive environment to learn, gain advice from experienced mentors, grow, and make a difference.Dates:April 11/12th, 2026Location:Cal Poly Humboldt CampusTheme:Hackathon for Social Good—partnering with local nonprofits to solve real-world problemsJoin us for a weekend of creativity, collaboration, and coding for a cause!About the challengeHumboldt County is home to many grassroots organizations working tirelessly to support local causes. These organizations often lack the technical resources to make their own projects, and that’s where you come in! This hackathon challenges students to develop innovative tech solutions that address real challenges faced by these organizations—whether it's improving data management, enhancing outreach efforts, or developing digital tools that streamline operations.By working closely with local organizations, you’ll gain insight into their challenges and apply your problem-solving skills to build practical, impactful solutions that have the potential for real-world implementation.Event ScheduleKickoff(Wednesday, April 11th, 5:00 PM) –Mandatory for all participantsJoin us at this welcome night & event overview! This is when you will get an introduction to the projects from different organizations, ensure your teams are finalized and signed up, and to learn the Hackathon rules and judging criteria, and participate in Q&A.CompetitionSaturday, April 11th [7:30 AM – 10 PM]→  Check-in, welcome & breakfast, begin working as a team, aided by industry mentors, to prototype and create powerful projects that help local nonprofitsOvernight break [10 PM - 8 AM]→ Rest and recharge -no codingof projects may be worked on during this time(HOWEVER you are allowed to brainstorm ideas for your projects to bring in the next day).Sunday, April 12th [8 AM – 7 PM]→ Final coding sprint, project submission, and presentations!Final Presentations & Awards Ceremony(Sunday, April 12th, 3:30 PM)All coding stops and teams will present their projects to a panel of judges.