Why You Should Code for Free

by Ginger Sorvari Bucklin | at MinneBar 12

You love tech. After you're done getting paid to invent, design, develop, test, or maintain the software that is your day job, you go home and play with tech some more. Just for fun.

What if you donated a bit of your time and skill to a cause that needs your help? Local nonprofit organizations are desperately seeking tech pros, but they rarely have funds available. Still, there's probably (at least) one that works to address something you're passionate about -- whether that's animal rescue, health issues, economic development, or the arts. There's opportunity for you to have fun while doing good.

In this session, we'll:

  • share the benefits of offering your services pro bono
  • discuss how to start, manage, and conclude a pro bono project successfully
  • suggest ways to find a nonprofit opportunity near you
All levels

Ginger Sorvari Bucklin

Ginger leads The Nerdery Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to activate technologists to use their talents and skills to better our world. Through its flagship event, The Overnight Website Challenge, over 1200 volunteer web pros have donated about $6.4 million in pro bono services to 183 nonprofits. In 2017, it is expanding to offer more events and services to connect tech pros with volunteering opportunities.

In addition, Ginger is a Founding Partner at Cimarron Winter, a digital innovation consultancy. Whether engaged by enterprise Marketing, IT, or the Business team, Cimarron Winter strives to deliver a great customer experience based on a solid technical solution and an effective business operation.

Ginger has a passion for volunteering, is active in Minnesota's nonprofit community, and remains forever a Nerdery Fangirl. She spends her offline hours in the Boundary Waters.