The organization exists to bring together journalists (HACKS) and technologists (hackers) who are leaders in their sectors to advance media innovation and foster public trust in the information ecosystem. We do that by a)convening summits, hackathons, ideathons and workshopsthat bring together talent from cross-disciplinary backgrounds, including journalism, technology and academia to ideate and innovate. B) create innovation labs where we directly work with journalists to prototype and test newtechnologies, c) spread knowledge through our newsletters, webinars and other forums for learning about technology and media, (d) solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment of the above purposes, and (e) pursue any other purpose permitted to be pursued by a charity (or, by a private foundation should this organization ever become a private foundation), as that term is defined in 26 usc 501(a) and (c)(3) and associated regulations, as each may from time to time be amended.
Key facts about Hacks Hackers
In short: Hacks Hackers gave $1.1M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $150K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 45-5351484
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,053,224
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- Average grant
- $150,461
- Median grant
- $45,146
- Total assets
- $1,094,304
- Primary geography
- Washington (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
-35.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+0.7% YoY
Grant Count
7
-22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$150K
+29.5% YoY
How Hacks Hackers gives
- Giving grew 270% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Hacks Hackers
Based on IRS filings
Hacks Hackers is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $1.1M. Net investment income was $59K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $122K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Washington ($724K). Together the top 7 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 30 (57%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | To Further the Organization's Mission | $723,688 |
| Codingscape Las Vegas, NV | To Further the Organization's Mission | $111,863 |
| Discourse Labs Wilmington, DE | To Further the Organization's Mission | $100,200 |
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | To Further the Organization's Mission | $45,146 |
| Social Science Research Council Brooklyn, NY | To Further the Organization's Mission | $40,827 |
| National Public Health Information Coalition Inc Marietta, GA | To Further the Organization's Mission | $26,000 |
| Wikimedia DC Washington, DC | To Further the Organization's Mission | $5,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,094,304 | $1,694,769 | $952,749 |
| Revenue | $2,036,524 | $3,639,243 | $1,396,665 |
| Expenses | $2,634,136 | $2,831,325 | $1,614,523 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $58,886 | $57,024 | $80 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Hacks Hackers is led by Burt Herman, President since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Burt Herman
President
President, Treasurer & Director → President & Treasurer, 2021
President & Treasurer → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$73K (2023) → $80K (2024)
Deborah L. Rotman
Director of Operations
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$19K (2022) → $104K (2024)
Jennifer Lee
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Connie M. Sehat
Researcher-At-Large
Program Director → Researcher-At-Large, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$155K (2021) → $133K (2024)
Anika Gupta
Board Member
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Heather Santana
Operations Lead
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $105K (2024)
Mark Coatney
Business Product Lead
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$132K (2023) → $132K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Mariano Blejman (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rich Gordon (2019–2020) — Director Till
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $133K, to Connie M Sehat (Researcher-At-Large). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hacks Hackers
How much does Hacks Hackers give each year?
Hacks Hackers gave $1.1M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 9 grants.
What is Hacks Hackers's typical grant size?
Hacks Hackers's median grant in 2024 was $45,146, and its average grant was $150,461, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does Hacks Hackers give grants?
Hacks Hackers gives mostly in Washington: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest states were Nevada (11%) and Delaware (10%).
Does Hacks Hackers give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Hacks Hackers's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further the Organization's Mission" (7 grants).
Who are Hacks Hackers's largest grantees?
Hacks Hackers's largest 2024 grantees include University of Washington ($723,688), Codingscape ($111,863) and Discourse Labs ($100,200), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hacks Hackers?
Hacks Hackers reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What is Hacks Hackers?
Hacks Hackers is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Hacks Hackers's EIN?
Hacks Hackers's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5351484. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Hacks Hackers by hand.
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