Hacker Initiative
Hacker Initiative is created to support and grow the collective knowledge and contributions of the worldwide hacker community.
Hacker Initiative at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,153,479
- +17.3% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $276,321
- +94.4% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $188,888
- +250.9% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $128,744
- +35.1% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Hacker Initiative
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Hacker Initiative
Who Hacker Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2021) to $34K (2020). In 2021 it made 1 grant totaling $10K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University Spartabouts FRC Team East Lansing, MI | Support STEM Program | $9,969 |
Ready to take the next step with Hacker Initiative?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,153,479 | $276,321 | $128,744 | — | — | $188,888 |
| 2023 | $1,835,144 | $142,155 | $95,313 | — | — | $53,828 |
| 2022 | $1,784,857 | $202,407 | $115,781 | — | — | $15,485 |
| 2021 | $1,773,868 | $387,749 | $40,461 | $9,969 | 1 | $114,002 |
| 2020 | $1,384,605 | $306,990 | $186,972 | $34,200 | 4 | $41,052 |
| 2019 | $3,059,682 | $2,231,417 | $128,369 | — | — | $26,233 |
About Hacker Initiative
Based on IRS filings
Hacker Initiative is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.2M in total assets. Net investment income was $189K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Hacker Initiative is led by William D. Pollock, Chair of the since 2021 (on filings since 2019); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William D. Pollock
Chair of the
Chairman of → Chair of the, 2021
On filings since 2019
2.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garret Gee
Board Member
Board Member & T → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Friedberg
Interim Secretary
Secretary → Interim Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ean Schuessler
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chuck McManis
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Marten Mickos (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: William Maggs (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ed Chen (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Laura Eise (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lee Felsenstein (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Liam Randall (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Allison Miller (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dave Aitel (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Frank Heidt (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Davis (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gordon Lyon (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rupa Shah (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Heidi Potter (2019–2020) — Program Com.
- Former: Peiter Zatko (2019–2020) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned 2112020
- Former: Ryan Clark (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Alex Stamos (2019) — Former Board · Filing note: Resigned 10819
- Former: Hd Moore (2019) — Former Board · Filing note: Resigned 51419
- Former: Liam Randall - Approved (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Marcia Hoffman (2019) — Former Board · Filing note: Resigned 4919
- Former: Ryan Clarke - Approved (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Hacker Initiative
How large is Hacker Initiative?
Hacker Initiative reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $276K.
What is Hacker Initiative?
Hacker Initiative is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Francisco, CA. It holds $2.2M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Hacker Initiative operate?
Hacker Initiative has awarded grants in California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan.
What is Hacker Initiative's EIN?
Hacker Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4838801. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hacker Initiative's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
LAiglon Fund
Kingsville, TX
The LAiglon Fund supports 501(c)(3) organizations working in education, environmental and land or watershed conservation, and cultural arts, with no geographic restrictions. Grants usually range from $500 to $7,500, though 2024 awards ranged from $300 to $31,100. It accepts unsolicited requests on a rolling basis.
Assets
$5.5M
Grants
60
Total Given
$293K
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Hacker Initiative's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Hacker Initiative down — hundreds of funders to go?