Hacking for Defense Incorporated
To enable powerful approaches to stimulating science, technology, invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship on university and college campuses, specifically directed toward solving real-world national security challenges.
Hacking for Defense Incorporated at a glance
In short: Hacking for Defense Incorporated gave $88K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $87,740
- +88.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,623
- +25.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,400
- Total assets
- $893,548
- +27.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Hacking for Defense Incorporated
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Hacking for Defense Incorporated
Who Hacking for Defense Incorporated funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Y Mwmbwls LLC ($22K). Together the top 6 received $88K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 42 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Hacking for Defense Incorporated gives
- Giving fell 77% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $46K (2024) to $385K (2022). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $88K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Y Mwmbwls LLC Yorktown, VA | Program Support | $22,217 |
| University of Connecticut Foundation Inc Storrs, CT | Program Support | $22,000 |
| Valis Systems Miami, FL | Program Support | $14,800 |
| Pharos Aerospace Chicago, IL | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY | Program Support | $9,782 |
| Cama Security Inc Buffalo Grove, IL | Program Support | $8,941 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $893,548 | $1,228,656 | $1,059,263 | $87,740 | 6 | — |
| 2024 | $700,461 | $939,064 | $1,823,215 | $46,483 | 4 | — |
| 2023 | $1,590,991 | $1,925,660 | $2,310,741 | $212,500 | 14 | — |
| 2022 | $2,005,337 | $2,389,891 | $1,766,997 | $385,125 | 15 | — |
| 2021 | $1,418,172 | $2,244,634 | $1,362,394 | $145,000 | 3 | — |
| 2020 | $454,291 | $972,423 | $762,472 | $130,000 | 3 | $3 |
About Hacking for Defense Incorporated
Based on IRS filings
Hacking for Defense Incorporated is a public charity focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Arlington, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $894K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $88K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Hacking for Defense Incorporated is led by Maria Tranquilli, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Maria Tranquilli
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$86K (2025)
Col Peter Newell
Board Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Weinstein
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Newell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Holland
Finance & Systems Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Ashley Bayana (2023–2025) — Director of Operations · Filing note: Thru jan 2025
- Former: Alexander Gallo (2020–2024) — Executive Director & President · Filing note: Thru dec 2023
- Former: Joseph Sowers (2023–2024) — Program Manager - National Security Entrepreneursh
- Former: Tyrome Smith (2023–2024) — Director of Partnerships
- Former: James Santa (2024) — Director of International Academics
- Former: Eric Perreca (2023) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Emily McMahan (2022) — Deputy Director, Secretary & Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 012022
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $131K, to Ashley Bayana Thru Jan 2025 (Director of Operations). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hacking for Defense Incorporated
How much does Hacking for Defense Incorporated give each year?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated gave $88K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $46K across 4 grants.
What is Hacking for Defense Incorporated's typical grant size?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated's median grant in 2025 was $12,400, and its average grant was $14,623, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Hacking for Defense Incorporated give grants?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated's top state is Virginia, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Connecticut (25%) and Illinois (22%).
Does Hacking for Defense Incorporated give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Hacking for Defense Incorporated's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (6 grants).
Who are Hacking for Defense Incorporated's largest grantees?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated's largest 2025 grantees include Y Mwmbwls LLC ($22,217), University of Connecticut Foundation Inc ($22,000) and Valis Systems ($14,800), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Hacking for Defense Incorporated?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated reported $894K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What is Hacking for Defense Incorporated?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated is a public charity focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Arlington, VA. It holds $894K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Hacking for Defense Incorporated's EIN?
Hacking for Defense Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2345565. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Hacking for Defense Incorporated funds
Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hacking for Defense Incorporated's focus areas in our free grants database
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