2025 Social Impact Hackathon

ASIAN CREATIVE FESTIVAL 2025

Social Impact Hackathon

May 23 - 24 | Pratt Institute (Manhattan)

This is where creatives, nonprofits, and businesses come together to tackle real-world challenges through storytelling, content creation, and digital solutions. Over the weekend, participants will collaborate with five incredible nonprofits to drive awareness and make meaningful impact.

Open to all—no need to be Asian to participate! We welcome creatives of all backgrounds who are passionate about using their skills for social good.

Apply as a Volunteer

Apply as a Nonprofit Partner

PARTNER WITH

What's social impact hackathon?

Create. Collaborate. Make a social Impact. Team up with four creatives, tackle real-world challenges for nonprofits, join expert-led workshops, and pitch your ideas for exciting prizes.

Keynote Talks

Gain insights from professional speakers on technology, design, and social impact

Nonprofits

We’re a hackathon with social good at its heart. Our nonprofits have presented several problem areas and projects to tackle their most pressing needs. Here are the incredible organizations that we’ve partnered with:

Community

Welcome to Chinatown

ensures Chinatown’s future remains vibrant and resilient through tailored support and community-driven initiatives.

Arts & Culture

Asian American Arts Alliance

fosters collaboration, representation, and advocacy in the arts, ensuring diverse voices are heard and celebrated.

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Animal Welfare

PAWS NYC

is dedicated to helping New York City’s most vulnerable residents stay with their pets through critical programs and services.

Community

Project Barkada

unites communities by amplifying voices, empowering individuals, and sharing the Barkada Spirit of collaboration and support.

Justice

Legal Aid Society

has been fighting for equal justice for all New Yorkers since 1876. They provide legal support to those who need it most - regardless of income, immigration status, or background.

Speakers & Judges

Guided by industry pioneers, participants will receive expert mentorship and feedback to help bring their ideas to life.

Melissa Yeung

Social Media Strategy Manager working for the Global Duolingo brand. She oversees social strategy, creates content, and leads social-first campaigns.

Xue(Snow) Bai

Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute and a sustainability strategist with expertise in climate risk, sustainable finance, and regenerative economics. Also, she’s published author and certified ESG professional.

Eason Yang

A New York-based designer, educator, and creative director with a passion for social innovation, recognized with two Fast Company Awards. Founder of Not Entirely Dead, a social enterprise aiding cancer survivors' professional comebacks, and a Yale University mentor, Yang blends creativity with purpose to inspire change.

Justin Wong

A NYC-based designer and art director creating impactful brand identities. He has worked with top companies like Apple and BUCK, earning recognition from leading design organizations. As AIGA NY’s Education Lead, he advocates for diverse creatives.

Winnie Yoe

A New York-based designer and artist from Hong Kong. She currently works at the NYC Office of the Mayor and has collaborated with organizations like the Brooklyn Museum and Vox Media to amplify underrepresented voices.

Michelle Lo Horton

The founder of Filament, a growth strategy agency that helps early-stage brands scale to 7+ figures through her Growth Engine System. She specializes in building sustainable growth systems that blend brand strategy, content, ads, and retention marketing.

Kevin Ha

Executive Director of Asian American Dream (AAD), a nonprofit empowering underserved AAPI undergraduates through mentorship and career development. He leads with purpose, empathy, and a commitment to breaking barriers one student at a time.

Yueh Fang Feng

A creative director in New York advertising with over 25 years of experience transforming big ideas into immersive campaigns, working with major brands like J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, L'Oréal, SCJ, Novartis, and GSK.

Fri, May 23

Day 01

6:00 PM

Check-in

6:30 PM

Kick-off - intro, rules, prize

7:30 PM

Team greeting

8:00 PM

Design thinking workshop

9:00 PM

Mentor check-in

9:30 PM

Day 1 ends

Sat, May 24

Day 02

8:30 AM

Check-in

9:00 AM

Hacking

11:00 AM

Keynotes

12:00 PM

Lunch break

1:00 PM

Hacking

3:00 PM

Pitch practice

4:00 PM

Submission

4:30 PM

Pitch presentation

6:00 PM

Ceremony

7:00 PM

Day 2 ends

Hackathon Schedule

Frequently asked questions

Projects will be judged based on the following criteria:

Creativity – How original, engaging, and impactful is the idea? Does it bring a fresh perspective to the nonprofit’s mission or challenge?
Feasibility – Can the idea realistically be implemented given the available resources, timeline, and nonprofit capacity?
Viability – Does the solution have long-term potential? Is it sustainable and adaptable for the nonprofit's future use?

Judges will also consider how well each team collaborates with their nonprofit partner and aligns their solution with the organization’s goals and audience.

Make your Impact

This year, we’re focusing on actionable, community-centered impact.

The Social Impact Hackathon brings together AAPI creatives, technologists, and changemakers to collaborate with local nonprofits on real challenges. Over two days, teams co-create creative strategies, digital tools, and storytelling solutions nonprofits can actually use.

Whether you’re looking to give back your skills or seeking creative partnership to amplify your mission, this is a space to build meaningful impact together.

Apply as a Volunteer

Apply as a Nonprofit Partner