What is Civic Tech

There is no universally accepted definition for civic tech because it encompasses a broad range of ideas, services, and products.

At Civic Tech DC, we define it as:

People using technology to strengthen civic life.

Unlike traditional “gov tech,” which often focuses on internal government systems, civic tech is typically community-driven and public-interest oriented. It’s about building tools with and for communities to strengthen democracy and everyday civic participation.

History of Civic Tech DC

Civic tech organizations are often built on the shared belief that technology can strengthen democratic institutions. But sustaining these communities over time requires more than good intentions; it requires resilience, reinvention, and collective stewardship.

For over a decade, starting in 2012, the organization operated as Code for DC, a local volunteer brigade affiliated with Code for America. Like many brigades across the country, Code for DC brought together technologists, designers, and community members who wanted to use their skills to tackle civic challenges and strengthen the local community.

The pandemic hit hard. In 2022, Code for DC went on hiatus, losing most of its projects and seeing huge leadership turnover. In early 2023, new organizers stepped in to restart the group and rebuild. A month later, Code for America formally ended its financial and organizational ties with local brigades, requiring affiliates to drop the “Code for” branding. The group scrambled to track down tools and domains, tie up loose ends around the transition, and find a new fiscal sponsor.

In October 2023, on the organization’s 11th anniversary, Code for DC officially reemerged as Civic Tech DC. The new name reflected a new vision, one that prioritized civic impact beyond coding and welcomed participants from diverse professional and community backgrounds.

Through this transformation, Civic Tech DC doubled down on its volunteer spirit and collaborative roots. Organizers ran strategic hackathons to rethink the group’s mission and structure, expanded outreach to local government and nonprofit partners, and slowly rebuilt event programming and community. By the end of 2023, regular meetups were drawing dozens of participants.

Today, Civic Tech DC continues to grow as a hub where people with diverse skills and perspectives come together to support public interest innovation in the Washington, DC area. Its journey reflects not only the evolution of one organization but also the broader movement of civic tech in its adaptability and commitment to the community.

Special Thanks

Civic Tech DC has always been volunteer-run, and the dedication of organizers who generously give their time and energy is worth a shoutout.

The founding of Civic Tech DC would not have been possible without Matt Bailey and Justin Grimes, who founded the brigade that led to its spin-off as Code for DC. Code for DC itself was originally part of District Civic Labs, and that early foundation made today’s community possible.

The transition from Code for DC to Civic Tech DC was driven by the leadership and contributions of Shelly Bachstein, Michael Deeb, and many other generous community members who helped shape its evolution.

Today, Civic Tech DC is entering a new chapter, embracing a leadership structure that is more distributed and flexible.

Inspiration

Documenting tacit knowledge is a hard thing, and we pulled inspiration from others. We hope to build on the ways they’ve done a great job.

• g0v Hackathon
• Welcome to Socratica