More women work in manufacturing than they ever have before, reaching a peak in 2024 with women comprising 29% of the workforce. However, the gender disparity remains a significant factor, especially when it comes to women in tech-forward roles. At Tesla, for example, just 9% of their technical workforce is women.
To push the pendulum in a more equitable position, Rewriting the Code has been encouraging college and early career women to enter —and stay — in tech since 2017.
Rewriting the Code’s Impact
Rewriting the Code is the only women-in-tech community that delivers continuous support from college to early-career, combining financial aid, personalized mentorship, skill-building and employer access, in order to foster real change at organizations around the globe.
Over the past year, Rewriting the Code has fostered an inclusive and supportive tech ecosystem through a number of events, programs and new initiatives for its members. In 2024 alone, there were over 8,000+ event attendees at Rewriting the Code-hosted meetups, conferences and campus events across the U.S., U.K., Ireland, and Canada.
Here’s what Rewriting the Code has accomplished in the past year:
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Offered significant financial support through the Rewriting the Code Future of Tech Fund, founded in partnership with Goldman Sachs, and distributed over $280,000 for university students facing financial obstacles to graduation. The nonprofit also sponsored 85 members to attend leading tech conferences free of charge, including flights, tickets, and lodging.
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Received a vote of Confidence from Pivotal Ventures. In December 2024, Pivotal Ventures, Melinda French Gates’ organization, announced a $150 million commitment to organizations focused on removing barriers for women in the workplace, including Rewriting the Code.
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Hosted Summer Tech Hubs, drawing over 1,000 student attendees in six cities and meeting at workplaces like Bank of America, Reddit and Figma to foster community connections for summer internships and beyond.
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Launched Rewriting the Code Black Wings U.K., a dedicated space for Black UK women in tech, addressing the critical need for representation and community support when just 1% of the technical workforce in the U.K. is Black.
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Expanded student and early-career programming, including the first TechConnect Spring Recruiting event, the inaugural UK Career Summit, and the Unite & Ignite Women in Tech Summit, connecting women directly with industry leaders, job prospects, and educational opportunities.
A State of the Union for Women in Tech Nonprofits
Nonprofits such as Rewriting the Code are facing a challenging funding environment shaped by several emerging threats. In July 2024, the powerhouse organization Girls in Tech, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in tech, shuttered; meanwhile, Women Who Code ceased all operations for a year. These closures have been tremendous losses, impacting dedicated employees and the women they served.
Political divisions are influencing funding decisions. Some donors are stepping back from causes perceived as socially progressive, limiting available resources for organizations that center on equity and access. At the same time, donor fatigue is growing. After several years of global crises and emergency giving, many supporters are less responsive to traditional fundraising appeals.
Economic uncertainty also remains a major factor, as inflation and fluctuating markets lead individual donors and corporate sponsors to tighten their budgets and reassess giving priorities. Competition for philanthropic dollars is intensifying, especially among organizations perceived to be focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Despite these challenges, Rewriting the Code is well-positioned to sustain and grow its funding base. The organization consistently delivers tangible, data-driven impact, demonstrating clear outcomes in expanding opportunities for women in technology. With a proven track record of measurable success and a strong commitment to transparency, Rewriting the Code continues to inspire donor confidence. By strengthening individual donor relationships and clearly communicating results, the organization is poised to thrive in an increasingly competitive philanthropic landscape.
How Manufacturing Leaders Can Get Involved
There are several flexible ways for manufacturing leaders to plug into Rewriting the Code programming for the benefit of their existing employees, company productivity and growing their talent pipeline. Each touchpoint contributes to long-term brand credibility and trust within Rewriting the Code’s talent pool.
Event Sponsorship: Align with events like the Virtual Career Summit or in-person conference activations, which showcases your brand to thousands of highly qualified tech women that are starting out in their careers. Rewriting the Code is always looking for host companies, conference speakers and sponsors. In the past, companies such as Anduirl, Netflix, Bank of America, and many others, have found success as event sponsors.
Regional Event Creation: Build an event with Rewriting the Code — such as a summer happy hour or lunch & learn — around topical issues, such as emerging technologies in manufacturing, ethics in automation or women leading in industrial innovation.
Mentorship or Networking Sessions: Join RTC’s Mentor Circles or become a part of Rewriting the Code’s mentorship program. RTC’s mentorship program functions on a one-to-one basis, allowing you to develop and nurture a relationship with your mentee, while Mentor Circles is positioned around themes and each mentor can have a group of mentees they converse with.
It is immeasurably important and valuable that women have a seat at the tables that are designing and building our future. Whether or not manufacturing leaders leverage Rewriting the Code and its impressive pipeline of talent, it is essential to foster growth for women in your workforce—which only benefits through mentorship programs, revisiting hiring practices and company codes of conduct to ensure women are being fairly considered and examining company culture to ensure women are welcomed and celebrated. When women have equitable representation in manufacturing, everyone benefits.
