Hackathon for Good

6/03/2021 - 6/05/2021 4:00 pm – 4:00 pm CST Virtual

48 hours

  • Corporate
  • Early Stage
  • Growth Stage

Register as a team or an individual, with the chance to join a team later by June 2, for your chance to ideate and make an impact at our virtual Hackathon for Good, presented by State Farm. The winning teams will also receive cash prizes including $5K for first prize, $3K for second prize, and $2K for People’s Choice which will be voted on by the Mentors and True Star Youth Members.

Event Start Date:
July 27, 2024
Event End Date:
July 27, 2024
Event Venue:

State Farm

For nearly a century, State Farm has worked and lived in thousands of neighborhoods across America. Their business is built on the idea of helping people. Over all this time, it’s stayed at the core of who they are and what they’re about. So, when neighborhoods need help, they can count on State Farm to step up for them – just like they do for their customers. This is why State Farm has selected the True Star Foundation, an organization that’s making a difference in the lives of young people right here in Chicago. 

The why

True Star Foundation operates a unique model that holds weekly after-school, in-school, and summer job training programs in which students learn how to create, develop, and market digital content on platforms that empower them to forge their own paths. True Star is helping young people see the remarkable value they are to the community by championing their voices and valuing their perspectives.

95% of the Black and LatinX youth involved in True Star Foundation come from under-resourced communities. When a student takes part in their programs, they develop and strengthen their voice, cultivate their creativity, and get real-work experience. By providing these opportunities, we can drive positive change in our neighborhoods.

The problem statement 💡

Design, architect, and develop a cost-effective technical solution to serve and connect with more youth in ways that will empower them to share their voice, discover their path, and realize their dreams. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges made up of leaders from the Chicago tech community. 

Your hosts

1871 is hosting a virtual Hackathon for Good sponsored by State Farm with the mission of bringing together all our communities to make a difference by way of inclusive innovation.

Make an impact

This is your chance to use your innovation skills to benefit our community. Help us empower youth to find their pathway and create their success stories.

Join as a team

Register as a team or an individual with the chance to join a team later by June 2 for your chance to ideate and make an impact. 

Winners get cash

Ready to sweeten the deal? $5K for first prize, $3K for second prize, and $2K for People’s Choice which will be voted on by the Mentors and True Star Youth Members.

Event breakdown 📅

Day 1

June 3

Opening Ceremony

04:00 PM

Team Formation

4:30 PM

Hacking Begins

5:00 PM

Day 2

June 4

Event Q&A + Mentor Office Hours

3:00 PM

Crafting a Solution with a Non-Profit POV featuring David Halsted

4:00 PM

Best Practices for Documenting and Presenting Code featuring Gary Coffee

5:00 PM

Day 3

June 5

Team Check-In

9:00 AM

Mentor Office Hours

10:00 AM

True Star 101

10:00 AM

We Love Code featuring Keith Gordon

10:30 AM

True Star 101

11:00 AM

Present Solutions

1:00 PM

Team Activity featuring Jeanette Andrews, Sensory Illusionist and Magician

2:30 PM

Closing Ceremony

3:30 PM

Real life empowerment 💪

The stories below are a demonstration of the work True Star does for the Chicago’s youth community.