Grants
PDXHF funds projects that create lasting value for the Portland hacker community.
Entries are ordered by approval date, or by the labeled payment date when an approval date is not recorded. Project descriptions explain the work supported; the linked meeting summaries record decisions and reported updates.
2026
PCR Workshop + Ongoing
Approved: October 14, 2026
Project: DIY BIO project page
What it does: Support a portable PCR and DNA-analysis kit, at least one hands-on workshop, and ongoing community access through equipment loans or help running experiments.
Why we funded it: Hands-on biology workshops and continued access to shared tools give Portland's hacker community new opportunities to learn and experiment.
Android TV device research
Approved: April 8, 2026
Project: Project link not yet available.
What it does: Investigate pre-installed software on commodity Android TV streaming devices and develop a reusable kit for security research and learning.
Why we funded it: Research into commonly used streaming devices can produce reusable security knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities.
FOIA workshop
Approved: February 11, 2026
Project: FOIA Party recap
What it does: Practical instruction in making effective public-records requests and using records to investigate technology and surveillance.
Why we funded it: Public-records skills help community members investigate technology and surveillance issues that affect Portland.
2025
ADS-B surveillance-flight tracking
Approved: December 10, 2025
Project: Project link not yet available.
What it does: Develop a low-cost, open-source radio system to detect possible surveillance flights and alert Portland-area community groups.
Why we funded it: Accessible, open-source tools can help Portland communities understand surveillance flights and learn radio research.
Tails USB workshops
Payment sent: September 10, 2025
Project: Project link not yet available.
What it does: Offer free workshops on installing and using Tails on USB drives, connecting through Tor, and understanding the tool’s privacy limits.
Why we funded it: Free, hands-on privacy education lowers barriers to learning how to use privacy tools and understand their limits.
Cellebrite kit reverse engineering
Approved: February 12, 2025
Project: Project link not yet available.
What it does: Reverse engineer a Cellebrite forensic kit to understand how it works.
Why we funded it: Independent analysis of forensic devices can help the hacker community better understand how these tools work.
In-school Halo sensor research
Approved: February 12, 2025
Project: Project link not yet available.
What it does: Investigate and reverse engineer an in-school Halo monitoring and sensor system.
Why we funded it: Research into school monitoring systems can help community members understand surveillance technology in educational settings.