Hacker Foundation Hijinks

How modest grants close the circuit between hackers, resources, and public-good research.

Dean Pierce

“The people with the time don't have the money, and the people with the money don't have the time.” The Hackerspace Paradox

Speaker

Dean Pierce

Offensive security researcher, Portland hacker, and founder of the Portland Hacker Foundation.

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Portland Hacker Foundation

Microgrants for asymmetric impact.

Founded at the end of 2024, PDXHF is a 501(c)(3) helping Portland hackers turn sharp ideas into security research, education, and community infrastructure.

Anyone can plug in

A foundation is a community circuit anyone can help complete.

ResearcherBring a sharp question and a concrete path.

DonorTurn idle capital into motion.

MentorShare taste, contacts, review, and nerve.

OrganizerMake the room where the next project appears.

LurkerLearn until the right moment to help.

FounderCreate the container if one does not exist.

The point is a community circuit, not one heroic role.

The intimidating part

Board, bylaws, lawyers, and the 501(c)(3).

Serious, yes. More achievable than expected, also yes.

The paperwork forces legibility.
The board forces accountability.
The public mission forces prioritization.
The status makes trust easier to extend.
The endowment grows while interest and returns fund grants.

The first $1,000 bet

A Halo vape detector became SnitchPuck.

Rey's eBay target turned into public-interest security research.

The first grant bought the target.
Community support helped carry the work.
The result reached DEF CON, Wired, and public awareness.

Other grants so far

Small checks keep opening doors.

Tails digital self-defense workshop for sensitive medical care.
Cellebrite teardown.
Flight tracking.
FOIA workshop.
Android TV Pwnathon.
Three more grants are available in 2026.

Asymmetric impact

$1,000 can become a public-interest story if it lands on the right project.

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Get involved

A foundation works when people choose a useful role.

Submit an ideaBring one concrete public-good question and the next step.

DonateTurn idle capital into a grant, a meetup, or a tool.

Mentor or reviewAdd taste, contacts, threat models, and editorial pressure.

Host or organizeCreate the room where hackers, donors, and helpers meet.

Join the SignalLurk, learn, and stay close until the right project needs help.

Start a nonprofitBegin with people, mission, modest capital, and one project.

There is probably already a great idea in your community waiting for someone to close the circuit. pdxhf.org