Annual Report
2022 – 2023

Annual Report 2022-2023

Welcome   |   Impact   |   Community  |   Financials  |   Partners

Annual Report 2022-2023

Welcome Letter from the Executive Director


At Hackergal, we believe our learners are the leaders of tomorrow. This year’s theme, Coding Together for our Planet, invited girls and gender-diverse learners across Canada to use digital skills to innovate and raise awareness on environmental issues. Their problem-solving showed inspiring potential as future STEAM changemakers.

In 2023, Hackergal supported 4,000 learner training opportunities and, for the first time since the pandemic, our team visited Coding Clubs in person. These visits allowed us to see the impact of our programs and the creativity of Facilitators who bring computer science to life. Over 250 Facilitators accessed the Hackergal Hub this year, helping us expand to more classrooms and communities nationwide. Our Ambassador Program continues to grow in quality and reach, and thanks to RBCx’s generous support, we launched a Scholarship Program awarding $5,000 to two Ambassadors entering post-secondary education this fall.

Since Lucy Ho founded Hackergal in 2015, our programs have impacted 27,840 learners. We remain committed to closing the gender gap in Canadian tech through innovative, sustainable programming. Thanks to our dedicated Board and partners, the leaders of tomorrow are in Hackergal Coding Clubs today. We can’t wait to see the change they inspire.

 

Hackergals

Our Vision


Hackergal envisions a Canada where girls and gender-diverse learners lead in STEAM, transforming tech into an inclusive space where all can contribute, innovate, and thrive.

Our Mission


Hackergal is closing the gender gap by reshaping who leads, who builds, and who belongs in STEAM through future-ready learning experiences.

The Hackergals

Our Core Values


Hackergal is driven by equity, education, and community, values that shape our programs, services, and mission to empower and inspire girls* and gender-diverse learners in technology.


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Equity

Hackergal is dedicated to advancing equity by creating safe, inclusive learning environments, empowering diverse leaders and expanding access to essential digital skills for all.

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Education

Hackergal fosters learning through the development of digital skills, educator support, and inclusive programs, inspiring growth and equipping the next generation as technology continues to shape daily life.

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Community

Hackergal drives change by uniting partners, educators, and communities to close the gender gap and empower girls* and gender-diverse learners to envision futures in technology.

Helping Hackergals since 2015

27,549

Learners reached across Canada

1861

Facilitators Engaged

894

Total Partner Schools and Community Organizations

“I began with little experience in the LYNX coding platform and feared I’d be lost. After the tutorial and creating my About Me project, my confidence soared. A highlight was helping my girls troubleshoot their code, and this program has greatly boosted my skills in text-based coding.”

Tamara Jones
Teacher, Earl of March Intermediate, Ontario

Year in Review


Hackathon


The Hackathon is a unique opportunity for students in grades 6 to 9 to come together, code with purpose, and solve real-world challenges. Participants will build essential digital skills, explore problem-solving through technology, and be inspired by mentors and role models who are shaping the future of tech.

 

Winning Projects


Every year, Hackergals from across the country submit their coding projects for expert judging in the week following the National Hackathon. This year’s projects were focused on cybersecurity, the Hackathon’s annual theme. Learners shared their innovative solutions to the world’s cybersecurity concerns at a competitive level!

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Women In Renewable Energy

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Sauvons La Planète

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Living Sustainably 

Hackergals

Ambassador Program


Hackergal’s National Ambassador program empowers girls* and gender-diverse learners in Grades 9–12 to explore post-secondary education and careers in tech.

Through digital skills training, networking, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities, Ambassadors gain the experience and confidence they need to thrive in the new economy. 792 girls participated in Ambassador Program

Scholarship Program


The Hackergal Scholarship Program seeks to empower students who identify as a girl* or gender-diverse student to realize their potential as leaders in STEAM. Hackergal Scholars exemplify passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and take action as catalysts for positive change within their communities. They promote awareness, lead by example, and create opportunities for those following in their footsteps. The Scholarship funds are intended to cover expenses connected with education, skills training and research in the STEAM fields. This includes, but is not limited to, tuition costs, residence fees, books, laptops and school supplies.

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Aruthy

Aruthy started her Hackergal journey in 2016 when her homeroom teacher encouraged her to join her school’s Coding Club. She had always been fascinated by computers and was intrigued by the prospect of creating websites and video games from scratch. Since then, Aruthy has been part of Hackergal’s Ambassador Program, where she was able to form a community Coding Club of her own and teach young girls to code using the Lynx coding platform. Through her post secondary studies she plans on becoming an Ophthalmic Biomedical Engineer and is dedicated to fostering STEAM education in her community.

Aruthy Annual Report 2022-2023

Being able to share a small piece of my knowledge with young girls and knowing that I have the ability to change the future, is the best feeling in this world!

Lakshmi

Lakshmi’s journey with Hackergal started in 2018 when she was a Grade 8 student. A teacher at her school recruited her to join a diverse group of girls participating in their school’s first Hackergal Hackathon. She joined Hackergal’s Ambassador Program in her final two years of high school, where she ran a Coding Club, developed coding videos in French, and much more. She aspires to become a General Surgeon to be able to continue to have an impact on the STEAM field and serve as representation for younger girls. She is inspired by the opportunity to treat and support diverse groups of people and make small positive changes in different aspects of medicine.
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I am so excited and passionate about sharing my experience and journey to empower future girls in STEAM and to show them what each of them is capable of!

“The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment partners with Hackergal to provide coding programs for girls ages 7–17. In 2023, Hackergal supported JAC’s March Break and summer programs with curriculum, training, and laptops, engaging nearly 100 participants in fun, age-appropriate coding activities that inspire interest in STEM.” 

Emma Asiedu-Akrofi
Executive Director, Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment

Hackergal’s 2022/2023 Impact

4736

Learner training opportunities

226

Facilitator training opportunities

2279

Learners participating in programming

262

Facilitators participating in programming

194

Organizations participating in programming

11

Provinces and territories in Hackergal’s community

2024 Financial Overview


*Excess of Revenues over Expenditures is intended to support the sustainability of the organization and has been allocated to a Reserve Fund.

Total Revenue:

$789,508

Total Expenses:

$784,987

The Hackathon encouraged me to create a project and connect with others. It’s a fun place to code, learn new perspectives, and build confidence. Meeting women in tech and hearing their inspiring stories motivates me. This experience is why I love participating in the Hackathon.” 

Anidita G., Grade 9
Alberta

Supporters and Partners


 

Canada
NSERC
CIBC
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CGI
GM Logo
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Pratt & Whitney
CanCODE Canada
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CanCODE Canada
CanCODE Canada
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Cognizant logo
CST Foundation
Google
Sharw
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Finning

“I love Hackathons because you get to meet so many girls and role models in STEAM. My confidence in coding grew knowing others were working on the same projects. The virtual community is super welcoming, and the Hackergal Team is always there to help when you need it.”

Freya M., Grade 7
Ontario

What’s New


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Annual Report 2022-2023

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Annual Report 2023-2024

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Annual Report 2024-2025