Hackathon Overview

Elevate. Innovate. Impact.

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Location: UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, 3175 Bowers Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95054

The AMA SF Hackathon brings together marketers, creatives, and technical experts to develop innovative strategies that elevate local non-profit partners. This full-day event challenges participants to solve real-world problems using the latest in social media, SEM, and email marketing.

Teams will collaborate directly with a non-profit organization to craft a customized marketing strategy tailored to its mission, goals, and current needs. It’s a chance to grow your skills, build meaningful connections, and make a measurable impact in the community.

Why Join This Hackathon?

Skill Development

Gain hands-on experience with real projects across social media, SEM, and email marketing.

Networking

Connect with fellow marketers and industry leaders in collaborative sessions and breakout workshops.

Visibility

Present your solutions to a panel of judges, compete for awards, and receive a certificate of completion.

Impact

Create marketing strategies that directly support Bay Area non-profits working on urgent social issues.

Resources

Access curated tools, templates, and software to help bring your ideas to life and use them on future projects too.

Ready to make a difference? Register now via Eventbrite

For questions, contact: hackathon@amasf.org

How the Day Works

The AMA SF Marketing Hackathon follows a structured, fast-paced format designed to take you from introductions to final presentation in a single day.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Arrive, check in, and meet fellow participants over refreshments
  • Hear directly from participating nonprofits about their goals and real marketing challenges
  • Get matched with your team and dive into strategy development
  • Work alongside mentors and get feedback during working sessions
  • Finalize and submit your strategy before the deadline
  • Present your work to a panel of industry judges
  • Celebrate winners and connect with peers and professionals at the closing reception

The emphasis is on clear thinking, smart prioritization, and practical recommendations over volume of ideas.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work in a team of 5-10 to develop a focused marketing strategy for a real Bay Area nonprofit. Your team will analyze their challenge, identify the biggest opportunities, and present a clear, actionable plan to industry judges.

No prior hackathon experience required. Come ready to collaborate, think creatively, and dig into a real marketing challenge.

Who Should Join

This hackathon is a great fit for early-career marketers, students interested in marketing or communications, career switchers exploring marketing roles, and experienced professionals who want to give back with their skills. All skill levels welcome.