As a result of COVID-19, the primary interface between the user and vital city services is often (and increasingly) through a digital medium. To meet surging demand for technologists within the City of New York, in April 2020, the Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (MOCTO) partnered with U.S. Digital Response to bring in expert volunteer technologists. Initially, this was performed on an ad hoc basis, and later it was developed into a formalized structure: the award-winning NYC[x] Innovation Fellows program.