Sourcing Parts

Building hardware? You can ask Hack Club to pay for the parts. When your design is approved, we send you a grant for the build cost you entered, so you buy the parts and we cover them. How much you can request depends on your project's level. This page covers what funding is, where to buy, and how to keep your order lean.

Finding the right parts at the right price is a skill, and stretching a small budget is part of the fun. Here's how to do it without overspending.

How does funding work?

Funding is a parts grant, not a reimbursement you chase later and not gold. The short version:

1. On your project's cart panel, tick I need funding and fill in a total build cost plus at least one cart or parts-list screenshot.
2. Submit a design ship. A reviewer checks what you're buying and the dollar amount.
3. When the design is approved, Hack Club sends you a grant for that build cost (this ship pays no fruit, the grant is the reward).
4. Your parts arrive, you build the thing, then you submit a build ship with the funding box unchecked. That ship earns gold for the hours you spent.

Funding is based on your build cost, not your hours, so it scales with how much the parts actually cost. For the full submit walkthrough, see Shipping Your Design.

How much can I request?

Hardware funding is tied to your project's level. Pick the level that honestly matches your build, and budget within the cap for that level:

Level 1 - Beginner

Your first build. LEDs, simple circuits, LED matrix, basic soldering, a small macropad.

Up to $100 funding

Funds at about $4/hr

Guava

Level 2 - Intermediate

A device you design and build yourself, like a handheld, sensor logger, devboard, or full-size keyboard.

Up to $200 funding

Funds at about $4.5/hr

Coconut

Level 3 - Advanced

Multiple subsystems working together: a robot that senses and moves, a wearable with wireless, a device with custom firmware.

Up to $400 funding

Funds at about $5/hr

Watermelon

Level 4 - Expert

Autonomous robots, custom SBCs, FPGA projects, satellite systems, complex mechanical builds.

Up to $1000 funding

Funds at about $6/hr

Avocado

The build-cost field on your project page enforces these caps, so it won't let you save a cost above your level's limit. L4 Expert projects can request up to $1000, but those funding requests get extra scrutiny from reviewers at design review time. If your build genuinely needs more than your level's cap, ask in #macondo-help on Slack before you submit.

Can I use parts I already own?

Yes. If you already have a microcontroller, sensors, or other parts on hand, use them. There's no rule that every part has to be newly bought, and reusing what you have is exactly the kind of thrift we're after.

Just don't request funding for parts you already own. The grant covers the build cost you still need to buy, so leave anything you've already got out of the cart screenshot and the total. If your whole build runs on parts you already have, you may not need funding at all, you can self-fund and ship straight to a build ship.

Can I order from AliExpress?

Yes, AliExpress is fine, and it's great for stretching a small budget. Cheap modules, sensors, connectors, and bulk components ship from overseas for a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere. Two things to plan for: shipping can take a few weeks, and quality varies. So order early and check seller reviews before you buy.

The same goes for any vendor below. Buy from wherever gets you the right parts at the right price, just budget the lead time into your build so you're not waiting on a slow boat when you want to ship.

Where can I buy parts?

Global

PCB Components & Boards

General Electronics

South America

Shipping within South America is usually faster and cheaper from MercadoLibre than ordering from US/EU sites. Compare prices and lead times before deciding.

India

Shipping within India is usually faster and cheaper from local retailers than ordering from US/EU sites. Compare prices and lead times before deciding.

How do I save money?

A leaner order means a smaller grant to justify and faster approval. A few habits that go a long way:

• Compare prices. The same component can be 5x cheaper on LCSC vs Amazon.
• Buy only what you need. Don't request spare parts "just in case." If something breaks, you can reorder.
• Use JLCPCB assembly. Having them solder tiny components is often cheaper than buying a hot air station and doing it yourself.
• Check for student discounts. Autodesk, Onshape, and many other tools are free for students.
• Avoid pre-built modules when you can design it yourself. A custom PCB with an integrated voltage regulator is cheaper and more impressive than buying a separate module.

What should I not request funding for?

The grant is for the parts your build genuinely needs. Leave these out so your design ship sails through:

• Extra/spare parts you don't need
• Expensive tools when cheaper alternatives exist
• Fancy PCB finishes (ENIG) when standard HASL works fine
• Full spools of filament for small prints
• Software licenses or subscriptions
• Anything unrelated to your project

We're a nonprofit with limited funds. Be efficient and thoughtful with what you request. If there's a cheaper way to do it, use it.

See also

• How Levels Work , what each level pays in gold, funding, and fruit
• Shipping Your Design , how to request a grant and what your repo needs
• Submitting a Build , the update ship after your parts arrive
• Collaborators , how funding works on a group build