Spirit of Philanthropy

dsmHack

Nominated by DMARC & Anawim Housing

dsmHack is an innovative nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting Des Moines’ worthy causes with the technology resources that can help them thrive. Its vision of “a community where technology is never a barrier to doing good” is achieved through its flagship “Charity Hackathon” event, free workshops for local nonprofit professionals, and other tech resources for the nonprofit community. Lynn Woody, an agile coach and trainer at DHI Group Inc., currently serves as the organization’s president.

Among the organizations served by 81 dsmHack volunteers in 2020 were Anawim Housing, Back 2 School Iowa, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, Des Moines Heritage Trust, Iowa C.O.R.E. Inc., Justice League of Food, One Heart Equestrian Therapy, Parenting Way Inc., Pursuit of Innovation, Please Pass the Love, and Wonder Years Academy. dsmHack has served a wide variety of Central Iowa agencies since 2014 through projects such as creating new websites, databases, and online networking platforms; digitizing paper processes; providing graphic and website design services; and helping organizations expand their communications efforts onto new social media and technology platforms.

The organization’s signature “hackathon” has taken place for seven consecutive years; the energizing 48-hour event brings together some of Greater Des Moines’ top IT professionals with nonprofit leaders for a remarkable two days of coding, skill-building, and fellowship. More than 70 nonprofits have been the beneficiaries of transformational dsmHack technologies that help them fulfill their missions – preserving vital resources and giving volunteers a life-changing experience in the process.