Skip to content

HackClub Bank

HackClub Bank is the fastest path to money for a first-time hackathon organizer. It solves two problems at once: it gives you a small grant AND sets up fiscal sponsorship so larger sponsors can donate tax-deductibly to your event.

Last verified: 2026-03-30. Verify current terms at hackclub.com/bank.

What it is

HackClub Bank is a nonprofit fiscal sponsorship platform run by Hack Club, a nonprofit supporting student-run coding clubs. When you use HackClub Bank:

  • Your event gets a nonprofit "umbrella" — sponsors can donate and get a tax receipt
  • You get a debit card to spend funds directly
  • You get transparent public finances (optional but builds trust with sponsors)
  • First-time events are eligible for a $500 seed grant

What you get

Feature Details
Fiscal sponsorship Donations to your event are tax-deductible for US sponsors
Debit card Spend funds directly, no reimbursement paperwork
Seed grant Up to $500 for qualifying first-time events
Platform fee ~7% of funds raised (subtracted automatically)
Transparency Public ledger of spending (can be set to private if needed)

The 7% fee is worth it. Without fiscal sponsorship, most companies won't donate to a student-run event because they can't write it off.

Who qualifies

  • You must be a student (high school or college)
  • Your event must be educational and student-run
  • You must have at least one adult supervisor (teacher, parent, or mentor)
  • US-based events only (as of last verification)

How to apply

  1. Go to hackclub.com/bank
  2. Click "Apply" and fill out the form (~10 minutes)
  3. You'll need: event name, date, school, expected attendance, and a brief description
  4. You'll be asked to join the Hack Club Slack — do it, the community is useful
  5. Approval typically takes 1–2 weeks

Apply as early as possible. Don't wait until you have all the details locked — you can update them later.

After you're approved

Once approved, you'll get a HackClub Bank dashboard. Before your event:

  1. Share your event's transparent finances page with potential sponsors — it builds trust
  2. Use the bank's donation link when asking sponsors to contribute
  3. Request the seed grant through the dashboard (if eligible)

Alternatives if HackClub Bank doesn't work for you

  • Your school's student government — Many have discretionary funds for student events; ask the treasurer
  • A local nonprofit as your fiscal sponsor — Some community orgs will act as fiscal sponsors for youth events
  • Venmo/PayPal for small amounts — Not tax-deductible, but fine for sponsors donating <$200 as a goodwill gesture

Part of the Zero-Budget Guide.