National Day of Civic Hacking – September 18, 2026

National Day of Civic Hacking
Categories:
Tags:
Technology
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every September 18
Holiday emoji:
💻

National Day of Civic Hacking happens every September 18, uniting thousands nationwide to use their skills for good. This day leverages creativity, technology, and innovation to strengthen communities. Join developers, designers, and data scientists at a special event in your city to make a tangible difference.

Want to sponsor National Day of Civic Hacking? Learn how

Expected National Day of Civic Hacking Deals

While National Day of Civic Hacking isn’t about commercial deals, it’s a prime opportunity for organizations like Code for America to promote their local brigades and projects. Tech companies such as Microsoft and Google often support hackathons with resources, mentorship, or cloud credits, encouraging developers to build solutions for social impact. Non-profits like the Knight Foundation might highlight grants for civic tech initiatives. Look for local events to offer free workshops, access to data, and networking opportunities. We will update this page with confirmed live events and participation opportunities as September 18 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Day of Civic Hacking

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CivicHacking. Share insights on tech’s role in public service and highlight successful projects.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #CivicHacking. Follow live event updates and share links to open data initiatives and project outcomes.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CivicHacking. Share photos and videos from local hackathon events and community success stories.

Social Media Tips for National Day of Civic Hacking

Individuals

Find a local hackathon or civic tech event in your city and volunteer your skills, whether in coding, design, data analysis, or project management, to address a community challenge.

Creators

Produce content that showcases the impact of civic hacking projects, featuring interviews with participants and local government officials, or tutorials on how to get involved.

Brands

Sponsor a local hackathon, provide resources or mentorship to participants, or host an internal civic hacking challenge to develop solutions for public good.

Organizations & Brands for National Day of Civic Hacking

  1. Code for America

    Founded in 2009, Code for America is a non-profit organization that partners with government to use technology to improve public services. They lead a national network of local brigades that organize civic hacking events.

  2. U.S. Digital Service

    Established in 2014, the U.S. Digital Service is an agency within the Executive Office of the President that works to improve the federal government's digital services. They often collaborate with civic hackers on open government initiatives.

  3. Microsoft

    Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a global technology leader known for its software, hardware, and cloud services. Through programs like Microsoft Philanthropies, they support civic tech initiatives and provide resources for developers building for social impact.

  4. Google

    Founded in 1998, Google is an internet services and technology company. Google.org, their philanthropic arm, invests in organizations that use data and technology to address societal challenges, often aligning with civic hacking goals.

  5. GitHub

    Founded in 2008, GitHub is the world's largest platform for developers to host and review code, manage projects, and build software. It's a fundamental tool for civic hacking projects, enabling collaboration and open-source development.

  6. OpenGov

    Founded in 2012, OpenGov provides cloud software for government budgeting, performance, communications, and procurement. Their tools help local governments become more efficient and transparent, often leveraging data that civic hackers can utilize.

  7. Knight Foundation

    Founded in 1950, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a non-profit organization that invests in journalism, communities, and the arts. They are a significant funder of civic tech projects, supporting initiatives that foster informed and engaged communities.

National Day of Civic Hacking Hero

Tim Berners-Lee

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, born in 1955, is the inventor of the World Wide Web. His vision of an open, accessible web laid the foundation for the collaborative and data-driven efforts central to civic hacking. He continues to advocate for open data and digital rights, empowering citizens to use technology for public good.

National Day of Civic Hacking FAQs

When is National Day of Civic Hacking?

National Day of Civic Hacking 2026 takes place on Friday, September 18. This annual event brings together tech enthusiasts and community members to solve local challenges through innovation.

How many people participate in civic hacking?

Each year, thousands of individuals across the United States participate in the National Day of Civic Hacking, joining local events and contributing their skills to various projects aimed at improving communities.

What is the primary goal of civic hacking?

The core mission of civic hacking is to leverage technology, creativity, and collaboration to address real-world community challenges. This includes improving public services, increasing government transparency, and fostering local innovation.

What kind of projects are undertaken during civic hacking?

Projects range from developing mobile applications to improve public transit, creating data visualizations to make government information more accessible, to building tools that streamline local services and enhance citizen engagement.

National Day of Civic Hacking Activities

  1. Attend a civic hacking event

    Browse online for the many scheduled events in your area. Thousands of people are joining today, and hundreds of events have been planned so far. Make sure to buy tickets if necessary – to ensure your spot in the biggest hackathon on the planet!

  2. Learn how to code

    Read a book, join a workshop, and engage with like-minded coders to brush up on skills necessary for you to thrive and give your best on National Civic Day of Hacking

  3. Use #Hackforchange on social media

    Find what people are doing on this day, in real-time by using the #Hackforchange on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, while at your civic hacking event, please share photos and videos to encourage and inspire others to do the same and partake in the national holiday.

Why Knowing About Civic Hacking is Important

  1. It is a day to #hackforchange

    When citizens and government work together on National Day of Civic Hacking, communities directly benefit. These benefits include things like technological advances in their food options, environmental quality and criminal justice system.

  2. Collaboration

    In a world plagued with problems, the problem-solvers rise to the occasion. Every year, teams will work together to think creatively and use open data to tackle challenges the country faces. On June 4, more than 100 events take place simultaneously across the United States, each with a unique mission. With everyone working together, the possibilities are limitless!

  3. It is data-driven

    Engaging the public in using data to solve problems is a novel idea. Civic technologists can draw on data from federal, state, and local sources to co-create solutions geared toward expanding opportunity for all. National Day of Civic Hacking is a perfect day for local citizens to develop innovative ways to improve the discoverability, accessibility and usability of data.

National Day of Civic Hacking dates

Year Date Day
2026 September 18 Friday
2027 September 18 Saturday
2028 September 18 Monday
2029 September 18 Tuesday
2030 September 18 Wednesday