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Sources & Acknowledgments

This playbook builds on a tradition of open knowledge sharing. The organizers and community builders who documented their experiences made this resource possible—their generosity enables our collective growth.

We've synthesized insights from community organizing handbooks, non-profit event management guides, tech community documentation, and Web3-native practices. Each source represents years of experimentation by communities who believed in open knowledge.

The following resources have informed and inspired this playbook:

Non-Profit Event Planning & Management​

Bloomerang Ultimate Nonprofit Event Planning Checklist - Detailed guide for nonprofit event success

9 Community Event Ideas for Nonprofit Organizations - Specific ideas for community events

Professional Event Planning Guide by Guidebook - Free 70-page eBook covering concept to follow-up with contributions from five industry professionals

Ultimate Nonprofit Event Planning Template by Givebutter - Step-by-step guide with sponsorship templates and budget planning

Event Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Primer by We and Goliath - Basic guide for event planning

Non Profit Event Planning Guide (SlideShare) - PDF document detailing key steps for nonprofit event planning

North Georgia Community Foundation Event Planning Checklist - Specific checklist for nonprofit organizations

Event Planning Guidebook (KVCC) - Institutional guide for event planning

UCalgary Graduate Students' Association Event Planning Handbook - Specific manual for graduate students

WCU Event Planning Handbook - Institutional manual for event planning

Nairametrics Event Planning Handbook - Event planning manual

Community Organizing & Meetups​

The Meetup Organizing Handbook by Aditya Oberai - Three-step process for organizing community meetups with detailed guidance

House Meeting Handbook: Harnessing the Power of Personal Networks and Storytelling - Comprehensive guide for building community leadership through house meetings

WordPress Community Meetup Organizer Handbook - Detailed manual for organizing regular community meetups with established best practices

The New Playbook for Successful Group Organizing (Meetup Blog) - Modern approach combining online and in-person events

WordPress Chapter Meetup Program Basics - Structured program with five good-faith rules and community guidelines

Community Organizing Manual - Comprehensive manual for community organizing

A Student Guide for Community Organizing - Guide for students on community organizing

Organizing: People, Power, Change - Online library for social change

Meetup Platform - Main page for finding and creating groups

Meetup for Nonprofits - Specific groups for nonprofit organizations

Meetup Organizing Basics Archives - Archive of basic tips for organizers

Hackathon Organization & Production​

The Hackathon Organizer's Guide by Major League Hacking (MLH) - Complete guide covering all aspects of hackathon organization from conception to execution

How to Run a Successful Hackathon by Devpost - Comprehensive guide with timeline, logistics, and best practices

Hackathon Planning Kit by GitHub - Open-source planning resources including templates and checklists

The Complete Guide to Organizing Hackathons by HackerEarth - End-to-end planning guide with practical templates

Corporate Hackathon Playbook - Guide for enterprise and internal hackathons

Virtual Hackathon Organization Guide - Best practices for online and hybrid events

Student Hackathon Organizer Handbook - University-focused hackathon planning

Social Impact Hackathon Guide - Framework for cause-driven and social good hackathons

Major League Hacking (MLH) Organizer Resources - Platform support, sanctioning process, and community resources

Devpost Hackathon Management Platform - Registration, submission management, and judging tools

HackerEarth Sprint Platform - Complete hackathon management solution with coding environment

Taikai Platform - Blockchain and Web3 focused hackathon platform

Gitcoin Hackathon Guide - Web3 and blockchain hackathon organization

AngelHack Global Series - Resources for joining global hackathon series

Junction Hackathon Playbook - European hackathon organization model

Hackathon Logistics Checklist - Comprehensive operational checklist with timelines

Venue Setup Guide for Hackathons - Physical space requirements and optimization

Catering and Food Planning for Hackathons - Meal planning and dietary considerations

Hardware Lab Management Guide - Managing hardware lending and inventory

Hackathon Registration Best Practices - Application process and participant selection

Team Formation Strategies - Facilitating team building and collaboration

Diversity & Inclusion in Hackathons - Creating inclusive and welcoming events

Hackathon Sponsorship Guide - Finding, approaching, and managing sponsors

Corporate Partnership Playbook for Hackathons - Building long-term sponsor relationships

Sponsorship Package Templates - Ready-to-use sponsorship tier structures

Hackathon Budget Planning Template - Comprehensive budget spreadsheet and guidelines

Cost Optimization Strategies - Reducing expenses while maintaining quality

Hackathon Technical Infrastructure Guide - WiFi, power, and development environment setup

Cloud Platform Setup for Hackathons - AWS, Azure, GCP hackathon accounts and credits

API Integration and Developer Resources - Providing APIs and technical documentation

Project Submission Best Practices - Managing and organizing hackathon submissions

Demo Day Planning Guide - Organizing final presentations and showcases

Live Streaming and Documentation - Broadcasting and recording hackathon content

Hackathon Judging Guide - Criteria development and evaluation processes

Fair and Effective Judging Strategies - Ensuring unbiased and comprehensive evaluation

Judge Recruitment and Training - Finding and preparing qualified judges

Digital Judging Platform Comparison - Tools for managing remote and in-person judging

Scoring Rubric Templates - Standardized evaluation criteria and scoring systems

Virtual Hackathon Platform Guide - Technology stack for online hackathons

Discord Server Setup for Hackathons - Community management and communication tools

Hybrid Hackathon Best Practices - Combining in-person and virtual participants

Online Team Building Activities - Remote collaboration and networking tools

Digital Mentorship Programs - Connecting participants with mentors online

Hackathon Terms of Service Templates - Legal agreements and participant contracts

Intellectual Property Guidelines - Managing IP rights for hackathon projects

Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance - Managing participant data and privacy

Event Insurance for Hackathons - Coverage options and risk mitigation

Safety Protocols and Emergency Planning - Health and safety considerations

Post-Hackathon Community Management - Maintaining engagement after the event

Project Incubation Programs - Supporting winning teams beyond the hackathon

Alumni Network Development - Building long-term hackathon community

Hackathon Success Metrics - Measuring and evaluating event impact

Feedback Collection and Analysis - Post-event surveys and improvement strategies

Blockchain Hackathon Organization Guide - Web3 and cryptocurrency focused events

Health Tech Hackathon Playbook - Medical and healthcare innovation events

Sustainability Hackathon Framework - Environmental and social impact focused events

AI/ML Hackathon Resources - Machine learning and artificial intelligence events

48-Hour Hackathon Timeline - Classic weekend hackathon scheduling

Extended Hackathon Models - Week-long and month-long event formats

Micro-Hackathon Guide - Short-form 4-12 hour hackathon events

Co-working Spaces & Physical Hubs​

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Coworking Space - Comprehensive guide covering location, design, business model, and operations

Coworking Space Startup Guide by Coworker - Step-by-step guide with financial planning and operational frameworks

The Coworking Handbook by Deskmag - Industry-leading resource with best practices from successful spaces worldwide

GCUC Community Resource Library - Global Coworking Unconference Community resources and templates

Coworking Space Business Plan Template - Comprehensive business plan template with financial projections

Space as a Service (SPaaS) Model Guide - Modern approach to community-driven space management

Makerspace Playbook by Maker Education Initiative - Complete guide for planning, building, and operating makerspaces

NASA Makerspace Resource Guide - Technical guide with equipment recommendations and safety protocols

Fab Foundation Lab Setup Guide - Guidelines for digital fabrication labs and equipment

MIT Community Innovation Lab Toolkit - Framework for community-centered innovation spaces

Essential Makerspace Equipment List - Comprehensive equipment guide with budget ranges

3D Printing Lab Setup Guide - Specific guidance for 3D printing facilities in community spaces

Community Center Development Guide by NRPA - National Recreation and Park Association comprehensive planning guide

Neighborhood Centers Resource Library - Templates and guides for establishing community centers

Community Building Resource Exchange - Tools for creating inclusive community spaces

Non-Profit Facility Planning Guide - Comprehensive guide for non-profit organizations establishing physical spaces

Shared Space Management Handbook - Guide for managing multi-purpose community spaces

Commercial Real Estate Guide for Startups - Understanding commercial leases and space requirements

Community Space Location Assessment Tool - Framework for evaluating potential locations

Neighborhood Analysis for Community Spaces - Guide for understanding local demographics and needs

Zoning Guide for Community Spaces - Understanding zoning requirements for mixed-use community spaces

ADA Compliance Guide for Community Spaces - Accessibility requirements and implementation

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Guide - Federal funding for community development projects

Knight Foundation Community Resources - Grants and resources for community innovation projects

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Resources - Community development funding and support

Crowdfunding Guide for Community Projects - Strategies for community-funded spaces

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Model for Spaces - Membership-based sustainability models

Community Space Operations Manual Template - Comprehensive operations guide template

Booking & Space Management Software Guide - Technology solutions for space management

Volunteer Management for Community Spaces - Frameworks for engaging and managing volunteers

Community Space Safety Protocols - Safety guidelines and risk management for public spaces

Event Liability and Insurance Guide - Understanding insurance needs for community spaces

Small Business IT Setup Guide - Technology infrastructure for community spaces

Public WiFi Setup and Security - Guidelines for secure public internet access

Audio/Visual Setup Guide for Community Spaces - Equipment and setup for events and presentations

Community Space Design Guide by Project for Public Spaces - Principles for creating welcoming, functional spaces

Flexible Space Design Manual - Creating adaptable spaces for multiple uses

Universal Design Guide for Community Spaces - Creating accessible and inclusive physical environments

Community Space Furnishing Guide - Selecting durable, functional furniture for high-traffic spaces

Budget-Friendly Space Design Resources - Cost-effective design solutions for community spaces

Non-Profit Organization Setup Guide - Legal framework for community-driven spaces

LLC Setup for Community Spaces - Alternative legal structures for community hubs

Community Benefit Corporation (B-Corp) Guide - Legal structure balancing profit and social impact

Business License and Permit Guide - Understanding required permits for community spaces

Fire Safety and Building Code Compliance - Meeting safety requirements for public spaces

Cooperative Governance Handbook - Democratic decision-making structures for community spaces

Consensus Decision-Making Guide - Alternative governance models for inclusive communities

Community Advisory Board Setup - Creating representative governance structures

Community Programming Guide - Developing events and activities that serve community needs

Inclusive Community Building Practices - Ensuring diverse participation and representation