An Event is Coming to Dallas Where Volunteers Build Websites for 48 Nonprofits in 48 Hours

48in48 is kicking off its support for DFW nonprofits tomorrow, but there's still time to apply to the main event happening next month.

In 2015, 48in48, a national 501c3 organization, gave more than $1.2 million worth of marketing and web services with its inaugural debut: a hackathon-style event giving 48 nonprofits free professional websites in 48 hours. Since then, the events have expanded to locations across the country. And now, for the first time, there are plans for 48in48 to come to Dallas.

48in48 believes that nonprofits spend their time doing good, rather than focusing on looking good. But with the help of highly skilled professionals, the organization aims to help nonprofits achieve both—empowering them to reach more donors, better communicate their message, achieve their mission, and serve even more people.

It’s a mutually beneficial setup, with community members empowered to offer support while nonprofits receive expert services and tools at no cost.

Nonprofits have the opportunity to apply for any 48in48 traveling to their area.

Before the signature event, the chosen local nonprofits (all 48 of them) all participate in six to 10 weeks of marketing, branding, and impact training. Then, each receives $25,000 worth of professional website and digital marketing strategies from technology volunteers in the area.

There’s also lunch and learning, meetings with volunteers, and valuable knowledge passed around concerning social media, blogging, logos, design services, content writing, web hosting, web management, and more.

And all of that happens in just 48 hours.

“We believe in improving society through skills-based on volunteerism, education, and service, and we do it using the heart and talent of marketing and technology professionals,” Adam Walker, co-founder of 48in48, said in a statement.

The Dallas version of 48in48, hosted by State Farm, will take place on Friday, Oct. 18 and run through Sunday, Oct. 20. ActBlue and Bottle Rocket also are sponsors, with Bottle Rocket housing the main event.

48in48 is a national organization, but it seeks to have a local impact in each community it goes to. It reaches out to local community leaders and volunteers to participate in organizing and developing events in their area. So far, local tech folks from State Farm, Match, AT&T, 7-Eleven, Jackson Spalding, Bottle Rocket, and The Richards Group have all volunteered to lend their expertise.

By 2025, 48in48 hopes to be simultaneously developing 48 annual events in 48 cities globally, with 10,000 volunteers helping 2,300 nonprofits in 48 hours.

Get ready for Dallas’ 48in48

48in48 is kicking off in Dallas tomorrow with two preview events.

Tomorrow’s DFW Volunteer and Nonprofit Kickoff is happening at CityLine in Richardson. The event is for volunteers and nonprofit members to get a chance to network before the main 48in48 event happens. Everyone will also get a chance to prepare for the main event through in-depth sessions letting participants know what to expect. If you’re interested in joining in, you can register here.

Even if you don’t choose to participate in the main event, you can still get a headshot taken before the kickoff for nonprofits that might need updated headshots. The photo session will be completely free as long as you’re a staff or board member of a Dallas-area nonprofit. You can register here.

But if you can’t make it to the two 48in48 events in Dallas tomorrow, don’t worry—the main event isn’t happening until October.

Local nonprofits are encouraged to apply to the main 48in48 event here, which will be accepting applicants until Sept. 26.

Alex Edwards and Lauren Hawkins contributed to this report.

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