Annual Report
2023-2024
Welcome | Impact | Community | Financials | Partners | Looking Ahead
A Letter from Our Executive Director
When asked for advice to new Hackergals, a 2023-24 Ambassador shared, “Take advantage of opportunities that come your way, especially those outside your comfort zone…that is how you truly grow!” This sentiment reflects Hackergal’s mission to inspire educators, girls, and gender-diverse learners to step beyond their comfort zones in pursuit of gender equity in Canadian tech.
Our Coding Clubs offer the security and support learners need to take those brave steps. We are grateful to facilitators who create these safe spaces for curiosity and creativity. This year, our staff visited Clubs in rural Saskatchewan and British Columbia, as well as community centers like the Immigrants Working Centre in Hamilton and the Jean Augustine Centre in Etobicoke.
Beyond exploration, we challenge learners to create meaningful change. In the Ambassador Program, participants developed prototypes addressing global issues such as climate change, food security, and mental health. These projects showcased the skills, creativity, and determination needed to push beyond the status quo.
Hackergal remains inspired by the incredible learners in our community. In 2024-25, we look forward to launching new programming and curriculum to advance our mission to close the gender gap in tech. Together, we will continue to grow our impact.
Rebecca Hazell, Interim Executive Director
Our Mission
Hackergal is closing the gender gap by reshaping who leads, who builds, and who belongs in STEAM through future-ready learning experiences.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
2,059
Total Facilitators Trained
29,314
Total Learners Engaged
1,041
Total Partner Organizations and Schools Participating
Year in Review
Hackathon
Hackergal’s National Hackathon Program offers over 55 hours of bilingual digital skills education, inspiring middle school girls across Canada to explore the world of technology through Coding Clubs and hands-on learning. This program culminates in Canada’s largest all-girl Hackathon, where participants collaborate to code projects that drive social change.
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!
🏆 Cyber Security 🏆
Stacy L – Ontario
🏆 Password Snatchers 🏆
Bareera J, Calgary
🏆 Cyber Safety🏆
Kijana T, Ontario
Ambassador Program
Hackergal’s National Ambassador Program empowers high school girls passionate about technology through mentorship, workshops, and networking with industry leaders. Ambassadors build leadership skills by hosting coding clubs for middle school girls, creating a pipeline of future women and gender-diverse tech leaders. They learn from accomplished women in tech, collaborate on projects, co-host clubs, and participate in social activities, fostering a supportive community dedicated to growth, inspiration, and advancing gender equity in technology.
Scholarship Program
Hackergal’s Scholarship Program provides girls and gender-diverse learners with the financial support needed to pursue coding and computer science in post-secondary education. This year’s Hackergal Scholarship Recipients showcased outstanding academic accomplishments and involvement in extracurricular activities. Their applications highlighted a deep passion and strong commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within Canada’s tech industry. Each Scholarship Recipient was awarded $5,000 to support their post-secondary studies in the field of STEAM, supporting them to continue their journey as future leaders in tech!
Rumeza
“Becoming a Hackergal Ambassador enabled me to practice the two things I love most: creating impact and empowering individuals like myself to do the same. The Hackergal community has shown me how success is never a one-man race, and how a strong network is the key to unlocking the doors of any opportunity. My ultimate goal is to use my experiences to empower the individuals around me to tap into the potential they have to change the world.”
This scholarship is sponsored by
Niyah
“The opportunity to learn from like-minded girls and gain technical skills is how Hackergal sparked my interest in STEM. The opportunity to host a coding club and create themed projects helped me to discover my passion for programming. Each meeting only made me happier to have gone outside my comfort zone and taken this opportunity! Teaching girls to code and witnessing their development continues to inspire me! I hope to continue inspiring other young girls who look like me to pursue STEM!”
This scholarship is sponsored by
Hackergal Hub
Hackergal Hub is Hackergal’s free online learning portal, supporting learners and educators with over 60 hours of comprehensive coding curriculum available in both English and French. This accessible, interactive platform allows girls to explore coding at their own pace, while providing teachers and facilitators with the resources needed to guide them. Hackergal Hub is utilized for all Hackergal programming.
Hackergal’s 2023/2024 Impact
1,785
Number of Learners Reached
201
Number of Facilitators Engaged
100%
of Facilitators Recommended Hackergal programming
2,432
Learner Training Opportunities
92%
Learners Interested in STEAM after programming
88%
Learners Increased Digital/Coding Skills
91%
Learners Increased Confidence in Digital/Coding Skills
255
Organizations
11
Provinces and Territories in Hackergal’s Community
2023 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:
$1,388,937
Total Expenses:
$1,194,311
Supporters and Partners
Previous Reports
Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2023-2024
