Hackers For Charity Projects
Education and Training
As hackers, we believe that knowledge is power, and one of the best ways to empower those in need is to provide free educational resources and distinct learning paths.
We have worked for nearly a decade with several trusted partners to produce educational solutions that allow anyone, regardless of age, skill or internet connectivity access to quality job skill and technical resources.
These projects include offline education initiatives, security awareness training, computer training classrooms and centers, and STEAM and Maker Training Initiatives.
Read more about the resources we have used, the organizations we have worked with in this space, or get involved by joining our community.
Disaster Response and Relief
Hackers have donated their skills and resources to disaster relief for decades, often jumping in well before larger organizations can mobilize. We are agile, natural problem solvers with high-tech skills in many areas of technology well-suited to disaster response.
As we’ve organized, we’ve learned a thing or two about what works in disaster response and relief scenarios.
Read more about the resources we have used, the organizations we have worked with in this space, or get involved by joining our community.
Community Service
“Hacker” is not synonymous with “criminal”. The overwhelming majority of us are security professionals securing the resources you depend on every day. We are active members of our local communities and once word gets out that we are “computer people” we help our neighbors with our technical expertise as we troubleshoot and repair their tech gear and network setups.
As individuals, we frequently serve our communities in small ways, but as a group, we engage in community service on a larger scale.
We have performed community service projects worldwide. To get involved or learn more, join our community.
Leather Program
Our leather program started as a simple idea to provide job skills to Ugandans that had lost everything in a local village fire. Thanks to the support of the hacker community, we raised enough money to provide food for the victims and rebuild their homes. As donations continued to come in, we realized that our rebuild hadn’t helped long-term since many of the victims didn’t have jobs or skills.
Johnny and Jen used remaining donation money to purchase tools and equipment and they learned leather crafting using materials from a local tannery that had been exporting its leather. Eventually they learned enough to begin teaching and the program grew from there. The program is still in operation today. Read more about our program here.
Our Stories
Computer Training Center Graduation 2022
On November 25, 2022, Hackers for Charity Computer Training Center in Jinja, Uganda graduated 33 individuals. Congratulations to all of our graduates and thank you to all of our donators who make this possible.
Computer Training Center Update – November 2022
Thirty three students of the forty five that we enrolled completed their three month course and passed their examinations. They are going to get their certificates on 25th November, 2022.
Your donations at work!
One of HFC's partners, Love Anne Arundel County (Love AACo), was recently interviewed by radio station 98 Rock Baltimore, Maryland.
HFC Story – Christine
"Meet Christine, from no skills to now a skilled lady. She is one of the students who learned computer skills at Hackers for Charity's Computer Training Center for free. [...]
Thank you ShmooCon 2022!
While this update is long delayed, it isn't without a deep respect for both Bruce and Heidi Potter who never cease to amaze me with their conference and generosity. After years apart, ShmooCon 2022 once again balanced the chaos of this world with the necessity to embrace all that life throws at us. THANK YOU for stepping out in faith!