A GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where software developers, designers, and database administrators donate their time to create custom software for non-profit organizations. This custom software could be a new website for the nonprofit organization, a small data-collection application to keep track of members, or a application for the Red Cross that automatically emails a blood donor three months after they’ve donated blood to remind them that they are now eligible to donate again. The only limitation is that the project should be scoped to be able to be completed in a weekend.
In January 2009, a GiveCamp in Dallas served 20 non-profits. A GiveCamp last summer in Ann Arbor served 15. And more GiveCamp events are forming all over the country, such as one in Kansas City in April, Minneapolis in April, and another this summer in Ann Arbor.
During GiveCamp, developers are welcome to go home in the evenings or camp out all weekend long. There will be food and drinks provided at the event. There will also be game systems set up for when developers need a little break. The event traditionally draws 75-100 attendees, and spans an entire weekend from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.
Impression 5 Science Center has donated its facility to host this year's event. We are still looking for sponsors and donations. If you are interested in being a part of GiveCamp by sponsoring the event, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.