Code for America

Code for America's journey began in 2009, sparked by a conversation between Jennifer Pahlka, then with O'Reilly Media, and Andrew Greenhill, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff for the City of Tucson. Greenhill's stark warning about the crisis facing local governments due to declining revenues and rising costs ignited the idea for a new kind of organization. This initial concept envisioned a fellowship program that would embed developers within city governments for a year, tasked with leveraging technology to address pressing civic challenges. The core belief was, and remains, that government can and should work effectively for all people in the digital age.

From these beginnings, Code for America evolved from a fellowship model into the nation's leading civic tech nonprofit. Its mission broadened to encompass partnerships with government at all levels – federal, state, and local – to build digital tools, advocate for policy changes, and improve existing programs. The organization champions a human-centered approach, using insights gleaned from real people to design solutions that dismantle barriers and enhance government services. Key program areas emerged, focusing on strengthening the social safety net, reforming the criminal justice system by, for example, simplifying record clearance, and promoting economic justice through improved access to tax benefits. Over the years, Code for America has facilitated the development of impactful projects like GetCalFresh, which significantly streamlined the food assistance application process in California, and MNBenefits, an integrated benefits application for Minnesota residents. The organization also fostered a vibrant Brigade network of volunteers across the country dedicated to local civic tech initiatives, though this program was later sunsetted as the organization's strategic focus evolved. In May 2020, Amanda Renteria took the helm as CEO, guiding Code for America through continued growth and impact, including a significant $100 million investment to modernize the social safety net. Today, Code for America continues its work, driven by a passionate team of technologists, advocates, and organizers committed to making government services more equitable and effective for everyone.