Our unique staffing model allows us to provide support for critical needs across local and state governments. We’ve grown our work to span multiple focus areas: generative AI, procurement, talent, language access, user experience, benefits, and elections. Through over 600 engagements to date, we’ve helped cities improve services through user research, states implement plain language multilingual translations, and counties improve poll worker processes. On staff we have engineers, developers, marketers, researchers, project managers, and policy experts who oversee all of our work and advise our project teams.

Most of our projects are pro-bono. USDR is a non-profit that relies on philanthropic funding and volunteer technical experts to provide services for free or at low cost. In specific cases (such as for election officials or other projects that require specialized staff time or skillsets) we offer paid products and services. Your project team may recommend a third-party tool that requires a subscription fee, but whenever possible, we opt for inexpensive low-code or no-code solutions. We only recommend tools we believe are well-suited for your needs, and we always discuss the cost implications of ongoing maintenance before we finalize our recommendations and approach.

Our engagements typically run 2-4 months, with volunteers starting within 2-4 weeks of your request. We'll need about 1 hour per week from someone on your team to guide the work. Some engagements can be shorter—like targeted workshops or consultation calls—depending on your needs. During intake, we'll work with you to define a timeline that fits your goals and constraints.

Unfortunately no. We prioritize requests that align with our offerings, would benefit from USDR's skill set, and allow us to partner directly with local and state governments. We can also consult on internal capacity building. When we can’t offer support, we will do our best to suggest other resources.

You can start working with USDR quickly—no lengthy procurement process required. Because we're a nonprofit providing pro bono services through skilled volunteers, most government partners can engage with us using our standard Terms and Conditions of Partner Participation. We’re happy to discuss your needs informally while you confirm any internal requirements, and can help you work through any specific organizational requirements.

Yes. We will never directly attribute work publicly without your permission. In addition, all of our volunteers and staff sign a Community Oath that includes a commitment to not speak publicly about the details of their work or partners without explicit permission.

Yes, fill out our intake form and we’ll get right back to you

Our pool of 11,000+ volunteers are experienced professionals from leading tech companies, design firms, and media organizations. They bring a desire to give back using their world-class expertise to help strengthen government effectiveness nationwide and inspire long-term public service. Nearly 5% of USDR’s deployed volunteers have entered the civic tech workforce after their USDR engagement.  USDR interviews each volunteer on skill, dependability, humility, and availability. Each project is given careful consideration regarding staffing and take our Community Oath.

It depends. The intake conversation informs a shared understanding of how best to approach the work. While we typically work on one project at a time with partners, we have done multiple projects with many of our partners. Importantly, our goal is to build an organization’s capacity so that they can continue the digital best practices we support them on.

Yes, we are always more than happy to publish stories from our partners through our own communication channels, as well as to work jointly to share through our partners or elsewhere. Our communications and marketing team is happy to discuss opportunities to share our joint work. You can reach them either through your volunteer team or at marketing-team@usdigitalresponse.org.

There is no catch. In fact, 100% of USDR partners would recommend us to colleagues. USDR has a desire to help our government work for all people. Our services are of no cost or have affordable options. If you are interested in sharing the story of our partnership publicly, we are happy to, but there is no obligation to do so.

No. Many of the tools we recommend are easy for even nontechnical staff to use and maintain. If we think the right solution will require ongoing technical support, we will help you identify a way to do that within your organization.

Yes, we are happy to advise you ahead of launching a procurement or hiring process. We can help you make sure that you are well situated to get what or who you need.

We do not require a contract or agreement. You can find our Terms and Conditions for Partner Participation here. These terms apply unless we have a separate agreement or contract in place. Some of the common questions that come up about confidentiality, liability and IP are covered in our volunteer agreement that all staff and volunteers sign with USDR. These terms are sufficient for most of our partners. If you do not understand any of the terms, please contact us before starting a project.