Hackathon Organizer Guide
  • Introduction
  • overview
    • What is a Hackathon?
    • What is MLH?
    • MLH Hackcon
    • MLH Community Values
    • Event Types
      • Digital Events
        • Digital Mini Events
          • Marble Races
          • Pokemon Showdown
          • Wiki Races
          • Hacker Hangouts
        • Streamyard
  • General Information
    • Hackathon Timeline
    • Finding the Date and Purpose
    • Build Your Leadership Team
    • Locking Down a Venue
    • Hackathon Budgeting
      • Legal Considerations
    • Getting Sponsorship
      • Introduction to Fundraising
      • Understanding Your Sponsors
        • Evaluating In-kind Sponsorships
      • Potential Sponsor Perks
      • Sponsorship Prospectus
      • The 5-Step MLH Sponsorship Process
      • Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors
    • Hackathon Website
      • Making an Accessible Design
      • Placeholder Website
      • Main Website
    • Marketing Your Event
      • Promoting Your Event
        • Marketing Email Template
      • Marketing Goals & Timelines
    • Managing Registrations
      • Registrations
      • Free Registration Tool - OrganizerHQ (OHQ)
      • Sending Reminders
        • Email Templates
      • Check-in Process
    • Event Logistics
      • Hackathon Communication Platform
      • Project Challenges
      • Ordering Swag and Prizes
      • Set Up Your Event
      • Working with Food Vendors
      • Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions
      • Distributing Meals
      • Transportation/Travel Plans
      • Hardware
      • Prepare Your Emergency Plan
    • Judging and Submissions
      • Rules for Your Hackathon
      • Judging Plan
      • Cheating Check
      • Judges Communication and Recruiting
      • Hackathon Submission Portal
        • Using Devpost
        • Using Devfolio
        • Using DoraHacks
    • Hackathon Scheduling
      • Detailed Run of Show
      • Run-Through with the Team
      • MLH Tips and Templates
    • Mentorship
    • Day of Logistics and Hacker Experience
      • Help Desk Recommendations
      • Fun Mini Events
      • Workshops
      • Opening Ceremony
      • Closing Ceremony
    • After the Event
  • Organizer Resources
    • Template Links
    • Getting Support from Others
    • Leadership Resources
    • Marketing Resources
    • Registrations Resources
      • GDPR in Europe
    • Host Exciting Mini-Events
      • Cup Stacking
      • MLH Mini Events
        • WereWolf
        • Slideshow Karaoke
        • !Light
        • MS Paint Bob Ross
    • Keeping Records
    • Software for Hackathons
  • Contributors
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Working with Organizations
  • Outreach Strategies
  • Building Relationships
  • Working with School Administration
  • Event Proposals

Was this helpful?

Export as PDF
  1. Organizer Resources

Getting Support from Others

PreviousTemplate LinksNextLeadership Resources

Last updated 2 months ago

Was this helpful?

Working with Organizations

Organizations can be helpful for gaining access to free resources and support. Most often they are helpful for providing workshops, mentors, judges, volunteers, and even in-kind donations like venue space or laptops.

The difference between collaborating with organizations and your event sponsors is the exchange of money for services. Organizations that support your event are providing resources to your team for free with no strings attached.

For example, let’s say your team wants to give hackers access to a 3D printer at their hackathon. Your team could reach out to a local maker space to see if they would be willing to lend a printer and host an introductory 3D printing workshop.

Outreach Strategies

The most effective way to get the support of an organization is to be specific with your ask and initial email. Below is an example for you to use a template!

Hello Imaginary Maker Space team! HighSchoolHacks is a 2-day hackathon for high school students in the Boston community. We have a hardware track to help high schoolers learn about the awesome projects you can make with both hardware and software.

Specifically, we wanted to teach them how to use a 3D printer in their hackathon project. I know your Maker Space has several printers, would you be interested in lending a printer for 2 hours on Saturday and/or hosting an introductory 3D printing workshop on Saturday, June 20th?

Use a staff member's email or phone number over the organization’s central email address to maximize your chances of getting a response.

Building Relationships

If you want to work with the organization next year, it’s important that you thank them after the event and provide them support in return when the opportunity arises. Too often hackathon teams are so focused on hitting their goals that they forget to thank and support the people that helped them along the way.

An organization is going to be much more inclined to help you again next year if you support their events or initiatives in return.

Working with School Administration

Event Proposals

College Administrator Guide
High School Administrator Guide
Parent Guide
Hack Western Event Proposal