You Don’t Have to Be a Web Developer to Make a Difference at GiveCamp Memphis
Memphis is full of people who want to give back, but aren’t always sure how. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to help, but I’m not a web developer,” this one’s for you.
Every year, GiveCamp Memphis brings together volunteers for a single weekend at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus. It’s part hackathon, part community service, and very much a Memphis thing.
GiveCamp Memphis 2026 happens Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, and the weekend is powered entirely by volunteers.
So… what is GiveCamp?
Each fall, local nonprofits submit project ideas, things they don’t have the time, budget, or expertise to tackle alone. That might be a website refresh, clearer messaging, better branding, or a more thoughtful social media plan.
When GiveCamp weekend arrives, volunteers team up to make those ideas real. And here’s the key thing: it’s not just for web developers.
Yes, web developers are part of the mix. But so are writers, organizers, marketers, designers, planners, and people who are just really good at asking the right questions.
If you’ve ever:
- Organized content or written web copy
- Helped shape messaging or tell a story more clearly
- Thought through a social media plan
- Kept a group focused and moving forward
You already have something to offer.
What the weekend feels like
GiveCamp kicks off Friday night with Opening Presentations, where nonprofits share their missions and what they hope to accomplish. Volunteers ask questions, brainstorm over dinner, and start forming plans.
From there, the weekend unfolds fast, in a good way.
Teams collaborate, share ideas, learn from each other, and build real solutions together. It’s focused but friendly. Structured but flexible. People show up with different experience levels and figure things out as they go.
There’s also free food all weekend, snacks and drinks, and a GiveCamp t-shirt, which never hurts.
On Sunday afternoon, teams present their work during a Closing Presentation that’s open to the public. Nonprofits walk away with tools and documentation they can actually use long after the weekend ends.
Why Memphis keeps showing up
GiveCamp Memphis was founded in 2011 and is now entering its 15th year. Over that time, volunteers have donated more than 24,000 hours to local nonprofits, and counting.
The event is completely volunteer-driven and completely free for participating nonprofits. It’s about showing up, working together, and using whatever skills you have to make Memphis stronger.
Think you might belong here?
You probably do.
GiveCamp Memphis welcomes technical and non-technical volunteers of all skill levels. Registration is free (the $5 fee is refunded when you arrive), and the impact is real.
If you’re looking for a way to give back that feels hands-on, collaborative, and unmistakably Memphis, this might be your weekend.
Register to volunteer: https://givecampmemphis.org/volunteer
Learn more: https://givecampmemphis.org
We’d love to have you.
This blog was written by Lance Hilliard
Lance Hilliard is a Solutions Architect who enjoys collaboratively putting technology to work. He helps direct a children’s choir camp that this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. He unapologetically loves automation and wishes the Christmas tree could stay up all year long.
