Are you a charity? Why does your organization focus on releasing non-proprietary solutions? How does the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization determine who it serves? What are the Inpito's fees? How does the Inpito sustain its operations? Does the INPITO promote its brand through the open-source software it develops? Will your organization promote proprietary software or vendor specific solutions? How does your organization's IT model align with recognized 501(c)(3) activities? Does the INPITO have members, and how does membership support our mission? How does the INPITO allocate resources to maximize impact? Can non-proprietary software be used to take advantage of people? Isn't open-source software less secure because it's "open"? Would this organization be a private benefit to Doyle Harpole concerning Tux Linux? Do you have an audited financial statements? What is important to the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, Inc.? How can I get involved to help empower non-profits with the INPITO?
Officially Yes! We have as of June 13th, 2012 obtained our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, and are now a fully qualified tax exempt non-profit charitable organization.
At the heart of any nonprofit's mission is a simple idea: make life easier - not harder - for the communities you serve. At the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization Inc., we take that responsibility seriously. Whenever possible, we aim to remove barriers for charities rather than create new ones.
That's why we develop and release non-proprietary, open-source solutions. Open-source tools especially those released under the GNU General Public License and other Public Licenses allow non-profits, charities, and community groups to use our work freely, replicate it as needed, and adapt it to their own missions without asking for permission or paying ongoing fees. In contrast, proprietary software licenses often do the opposite.
To illustrate the contrast, here are a few common features of proprietary End User License Agreements (EULAs):
In other words, a proprietary EULA can sometimes feel like purchasing your neighbor's lawnmower. Except your neighbor gets to record how fast you mow, charge you extra for using it on a hill, forbid you from repainting it, and might even take it back if you change your address.
By contrast, open-source GPL licenses typically allow:
That means if an organization needs one copy of our software or ten million copies, the cost is exactly the same, Nothing. Unless of course they choose to support our organization through a nice sizable donations.
This distinction matters, because even a "charitable" donation of proprietary software still binds a nonprofit to restrictions, renewals, and potential data collection. Meanwhile, a single open-source solution can be shared and improved by non-profits around the world without ever creating any financial burden.
A fun example: A corporation could donate 1,000,000 proprietary software licenses, which sounds impressive. But a single copy of Slackware or Tux Linux could ( thanks to its license ), be reproduced literally more times than there are atoms in most galaxies, without any licensing expense. In terms of scalability, "unlimited" will always beat "one million."
For our organization, non-proprietary software means long term freedom, stability, transparency, and cost savings for the community on an unparalleled level compared to for-profit organizations. It prevents future unexpected expenses, supports local innovation, and ensures that no organization relying on our work will ever be "locked in."
And of course, developing high-quality open-source solutions takes time, expertise, and computing power. If you believe in technology that empowers rather than restricts, we warmly welcome your support whether financial, equipment-based, or through volunteer contributions. Your help lets us continue creating tools that any nonprofit can use freely, forever.
As of December 8th of 2011, we updated our bylaws to clearly define our mission the relevant section reads:
Section 2.01. Information Technology Solutions Provide up to and including free Information Technology solutions to non-profit organizations and to individuals who serve non-profit organizations as an officer, staff, member or volunteer.
In simpler terms: If you help a nonprofit, we want to help you. (Think of it as our own version of the "Golden Rule," but with more circuit boards and software.)
To carry out this mission fairly and consistently, we use the INPITO's "Solution Determination Form". This form helps us understand two important things:
All organizations we assist must serve as a not-for-profit in nature, and individuals must be officers, staff, members, or volunteers of such an organization. The form helps ensure we stay faithful to both the spirit and the letter of our bylaws while delivering solutions efficiently.
The "Solution Determination Form" is available for download. (No special browser tricks required. We promise.)
And of course, the more support we receive, whether through donations, equipment contributions, or volunteer expertise, the more individuals and organizations we're able to assist. Every contribution directly expands our ability to offer free IT solutions to those serving their communities.
If you'd like to help us help others, we'd be honored to have your support.
At the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, we believe that access to technology should never be limited by budget constraints, especially for non-profits and the people who serve them. For that reason, our services follow a simple and very consistent pricing model. It maybe a somewhat subtly pattern of consistent pricing, but we have found that most organizations and people have been able to pick-up on our pricing model.
Yes, there is a pattern here. No, you aren't imagining it. And yes, it is the only price we have ever charged.
Yes! Our fee structure for all our services are provided for a freewill donation, ranging from $0.00 to any amount, preferably reflecting the fair market value of our service.
Why do we use this model? Our mission is to remove barriers for non-profits and the people who serve them, not create barriers. By allowing organizations and individuals to contribute what they can (including $0.00 when times are tough), we ensure our services remain accessible to the entire nonprofit community.
Of course, freewill donations, whether financial, equipment based, or even volunteer time, are what allow us to continue providing solutions. Every contribution directly supports our ability to keep helping non-profits thrive through technology.
If our unusual commitment to affordability brings a smile to your face, we invite you to help us sustain it. Donations of any size help us keep every one of our service categories at their favorite price levels and accessible to all.
Inpito operates on a model of "voluntary support", relying entirely on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and community partners. We do not charge fees for our IT services to nonprofit organizations or their teams. Instead, our mission is sustained through donations, possible grants, and collaborative partnerships to ensure that every contribution directly fuels our ability to provide critical technology resources without burdening the very organizations we serve. Which your support enables us to maintain this fee-free commitment, empowering non-profits to focus on their missions while we handle their technical needs.
Yes, we proudly promote the INPITO through the open-source software we create, as it is the standard practice for any organization that develops software. However, our model uniquely prioritizes non-profit autonomy through the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Unlike proprietary software (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, or Symantec), which often includes restrictive End User License Agreements (EULAs) preventing non-profits from modifying, removing branding, or redistributing software, the INPITO's GPL-licensed software gives non-profits full control.
Many 501(c)(3) organizations (e.g., Techsoup, Npower, and others ) distribute for-profit software, but their solutions typically require non-profits to retain vendor branding per EULA. The INPITO's approach ensures non-profits never depend on for-profit vendors for branding or customization. Our model is built on the principle that technology should serve the mission, not for-profit vendors.
By supporting INPITO, you help maintain a sustainable ecosystem where non-profits access fully adaptable, mission-aligned tools — free from corporate branding constraints.
As of December 15th of 2011, the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization Inc. determined to modify the bylaws of the organization as follows:
Section 2.04. Release Intellectual Properties Release intellectual properties of the Corporation, as Open Source, under a General Public License, and all other Content release by the Corporation will be released under a Creative Commons License.
No, we have no plans on using or promoting proprietary software or vendor specific solutions. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are committed to advancing open, non-proprietary technology solutions that serve our community without being lock-in to a proprietary vendor. We prioritize free, open-source software that minimizes costs for our clients, avoiding proprietary requirements or vendor limitations.
Since the December 8th and 15th of 2011 edification of our bylaws Section 2.01. Information Technology Solutions, and Section 2.04. Release Intellectual Properties, the Inpito is conducting no activity that is not already being similarly conducted by another fully qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in existence. The Inpito however, is accomplishing such activities with less of a burden upon those we sever then some of the other fully qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. ... For Example:
We help raise awareness about other non-profit organization's needed Information Technology solutions, similar to the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "The United Way" but specifically targeting Information Technologies.
We use adequate hardware donated or purchased by the Inpito to aid qualified individuals and organizations, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organizations "Freegeek" and "Techsoup".
We release intellectual properties of the Inpito as Open Source, under a General Public License, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "Mozilla" and all other content release by the Inpito is released under a Creative Commons License, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "Wikipedia."
We provide the sturcture to designate campaign donations to qualified individuals and organizations for freelance Information Technology projects, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "The United Way" but specifically targeting Information Technologies.
We provide up to and including free education designated by the Inpitos, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "Npower", but releasing such materials under a Creative Commons License, like the fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization "Wikipedia".
All the activities our organization performs are similar in purpose and practice to already existing 501(C)(3) organizations, we just perform those activities under a different mission and name."
The INPITO is a community driven organization. We do maintain a membership structure, however membership is free and purpose built to strengthen our collective impact - not for revenue.
Our members are fellow IT enthusiasts and/or professionals, and community involved individuals who actively collaborate to bridge the gap between our technical understanding and the real world needs of non-profit organizations.
By fostering this network, we ensure that technology initiatives are not only technically sound but also accessible and meaningful to end-users, empowering every party to thrive. This collaborative approach allows us to scale our mission more effectively, turning complex IT challenges into tangible, community focused challenges to overcome.
Your involvement, whether through active participation, sharing expertise, or supporting our work, fuels this ecosystem. When you engage with INPITO, you directly contribute to a stronger, more connected non-profit sector. So don't be afraid to explore how your support helps us advance this mission.
At INPITO, we operate with remarkable efficiency: for every $1 invested in our mission, we've deliver over $1,000 in pro bono IT services to support nonprofits and their communities. Since our founding in 2009, we've provided an estimated $1,282,820+ in critical technology solutions — all while receiving only $1120 in direct donations. This 1000-to-1 ratio of impact, reflects our commitment to turning every dollar into transformative support for the non-profits we serve.
If you could find a way to use open-source non-proprietary software to take advantage of people the way proprietary software does, you have information that for-profit software corporations would pay hundreds of billions of dollars to obtain.
While any software can be misused by malefactors for nefarious purposes, open-source software (like Linux, Gnu, or Apache) are built on a foundation of community trust, not corporate profit. GNU and the Free Software Foundation have taken great efforts to ensure that anyone desiring to use General Public License software to take advantage of other people would not be able to ( http://www.gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html ).
Think of it like a public park: anyone can enjoy it, but no one can build a toll booth to the park, because if they tried, the whole community would notice immediately and destroy the toll booth.
Commercial vendors sometimes spread confusion and misinformation about open-source to sell proprietary alternatives, but the reality is simple: Open-source is ethical software and typically the most secure software. That's why we use it. As a 501(c)(3) dedicated to empowering non-profits with truly free, transparent, and user empowering technology, we help you avoid the pitfalls of so-called "free" software that's not truly free from hidden agendas.
Want to support a future where tech serves people — not profits? Your donation funds our mission to build and maintain ethical, open-source solutions for non-profits by non-profits. Because when technology is designed with integrity, everyone wins.
Not at all — openness is the strongest security feature. Unlike closed-source systems where vulnerabilities hide in plain sight, open-source software can be audited by thousands of programming and security experts worldwide. When a flaw is found (as it occasionally is), it's fixed often faster — within hours — because the community collaborates to patch it. In fact over 90% of the world's Internet infrastructure (including critical servers) run on open-source platforms precisely because of this type source-code transparency.
Commercial software, by contrast, often delays fixes while marketing does workarounds (like calling it a "feature update" for security gaps). Meanwhile, open-source lets you see, test, and strengthen the code before it's ever deployed. It's like having a global team of security guards, not just one locked door.
And Yes! Your mission deserves this level of security. That's why we provide open-source IT solutions to non-profits like yours, so you can focus on impact, not technology vulnerabilities. When you support the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, Inc., you're investing in a more secure, sustainable digital enviroment for the entire non-profit you serve.
Absolutely not. The Tux Linux distribution is a non-proprietary, freely available operating system — developed for the community, not commercial gain. Unlike proprietary software, it's open to all, with no restrictions on copying, modifying, or redistributing. Plus, our mission is to champion the best non-proprietary solutions, not favor any single vendor.
To put this in perspective: Officers at other 501(c)(3) organizations, such as Npower hold leadership roles there while they are employees at large for-profit companies and use Npower to sell commercial I.T. solutions through their employers; so where is their scrutiny?
Our model is fundamentally different: Tux Linux is free, non-commercial, and community driven. We've even seen others who've forked Doyle's open-source distribution without crediting him, which is a testament to its non-proprietary nature. Meanwhile, the INPITO has chosen to use Slackware as the solution for organizations such as Rachel's Home and First Baptist Church because it's reliable, not because it's "our" software. Slackware Linux is a non-proprietary Linux based operating system, developed by Patrick Volkerding and Mr.Volkerding has no ties or associations with the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, Inc.
Likewise, our organization dedicated significant resources including over 2,000 hours of development time in creation of a custom online social network for Marshall County, called the Marshall County Online Social Network. During other research Doyle discovered Elgg, an open-source, non-proprietary social media solution, and we realized it to be the most effective and sustainable option to serve the community's needs. Consequently, we discontinued our in-house project to adopt Elgg, prioritizing the best solution over what would benefit us. Our organization's decisions reflect our commitment to selecting technology that delivers the best impact, not what benefit our organization the most.
At this time, our organization does not undergo a formal financial audit. As a small, volunteer driven nonprofit with very limited donations, a full audit would not provide meaningful insights, as the majority of our financial activity consists of minimal operating costs and we donate our labor.
Over the past 16 years, we have received a grand total of $1,120 in direct donations. These funds have been used responsibly to cover essential expenses such as website hosting (during the years we used a hosting service), domain registrations, computer components for charitable I.T. solutions, required government fees, and some unfortunate misinformed bank fees. Our projects often including already existing hardware, non-proprietary software, and thousands of hours of labor which have been personally contributed by Doyle Harpole and myself ( Jerry B Nettrouer II ).
Although we are not large enough to require an audit, we are fully committed to financial transparency. You may download our IRS filings here:
These documents provide a clear understanding of our finances ( or lack thereof ) throughout the past 16 years of our 501(C)(3) exsistance. Our filings can be verified at the IRS's own Tax Exempt Organization Search here.
As we continue, our goal is to reach a scale where an independent audit would becomes both meaningful and beneficial. Support from donors play a crucial role in helping us reach that point. Contributions, whether financial or equipment based enable us to expand our services, strengthen our infrastructure, and increase transparency as we work toward serving our community through technology. If you believe in our mission and would like to help us move toward that next level of organizational maturity, we warmly welcome your support.
At the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, Inc., we're not just solving technology challenges - we're serving with purpose. Rooted in the timeless wisdom of Matthew 7:12 — "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We believe technology should empower, not overwhelm. That's why we've dedicated ourselves to providing over $1,000,000 worth of IT benefits to the community: from fixing file permissions issues, building secure data systems, recording historical events, converting non-profit's analog videos over to digital, and more ... we handle the tech, so non-profits can focus on their mission.
We provide the solutions for organization's so they can focus on what's important to them - it's how we'd want to be treated. We offer tailored support using open-source software, hardware recycling, hands-on training, and more, all while treating every non-profit with the respect we'd want for our own work. This work isn't just about coding and computers it's about honoring God's Word to treat others the same way we'd want to be treated. Our sacrifice allows both the Indiana Non-Profit Information Technology Organization, Inc. and the non-profits that we serve to demonstrate our obedience to God's standard of giving.
Our Commitment (Simply Stated):
Why does this matter? When you support the INPITO, you're not just funding servers and source code — you're empowering pregnancy homes, creating a recording of historical events, developing more affordable AI resources, teaching the people who run non-profits how to use powerful software that they could use to better serve their community.
If you have a heart to help you can join us in our mission to bring technology solutions to non-profits! We welcome both technology skilled and unskilled volunteers, advocates, and collaborators who want to make a tangible difference within the community.
Here’s how:
If you're ready to turn your skills into meaningful change? We've got the mission, and we'd love to turn your tech-savvy knowledge into a benefit for non-profits within the community.
Let's build a more connected Indiana — one project at a time.
