Code Girls United is the recipient of a $10,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant for its educational coding, technology, and business program.

Code Girls United is a free Kalispell-based after-school program for girls grades four through eight around Montana. In addition to learning coding and business skills through in-person and online learning, participants build apps and have opportunities to compete.

Code Girls United will use the funding to purchase additional technology to expand its online program to reach more students in remote, tribal and rural areas across the state. According to a press release, “Spectrum aims to help Code Girls United break down racial, gender, and economic barriers for future generations of girls by leveraging the power of technology and broadband connection.”

Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Spectrum last Thursday to award the grant in Kalispell. Code Girls United members demonstrated their projects, including an app targeting teenagers with financial planning, a game using Javascript and React and a program that controls LEDs using software and hardware.

“Code Girls United continues to increase awareness of STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] education and encourage Montana girls to become problem solvers through coding and business training. Thanks to Code Girls United, and the girls they inspire, opportunities will grow in Montana, and our future is brighter,” Gianforte said.

Marianne Smith, Code Girls United executive director, thanked Spectrum for allowing the group to “open doors and create more opportunities” for girls throughout the state.

“We are grateful for Spectrum’s partnership as we work to build the next generation of female leaders in our communities and in the field of STEM [science, technology, engineering, math] by teaching young girls coding and practical business skills,” Smith said.

Code Girls United is one of 49 nonprofits around the country to receive a Spectrum Digital Education grant in 2021.

For more information visit https://codegirlsunited.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected].