NESIT is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides physical gathering space, a workshop, and tools for collaborative and educational projects. Our mission is to “create, educate and foster learning in the fields of computer, information and communications technology, while exploring the benefits of productivity through volunteer collaboration.” In pursuing our mission, NESIT is
modeled on the recent wave of collaboratively-run “Makerspace” organizations such as Noisebridge of San Francisco, CA, and NYC Resistor of Brooklyn, NY, that provide needed infrastructure to the community by housing open labs and centers for peer learning in the form of workshops, presentations and lectures. Many of these membership- and donor-supported organizations have been granted tax-exempt status under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). At NESIT, participants develop and exercise their creativity and technical knowledge by collaborating on information technology, electronic and mechanical projects, usually of an inventive nature. About half of these projects fuse various disciplines (for example, visual art, machine repair/design, and computer programming), as members of the group teach each other new skills. Also, people in the community are given the opportunity to attend more rudimentary educational workshops and presentations, which facilitate hands-on experience that helps people develop technical skill and knowledge. For example, attendees learn to maintain computer hardware and software, collaborate on repairing and modifying common devices such as computer equipment, radios, motors and locks, and participate in simulations that teach secure data management techniques. Thus, learning and teaching occur at different levels of expertise, and participants develop skills (along with working relationships) that have both social and economic value. NESIT’s intention is to support itself financially through membership fees, which have been its main source of revenue to date. NESIT also seeks public support through fundraisers and donations for services provided, which have generated about 1/6 of its revenue as of this writing. NESIT plans to seek funding from organizations that would benefit from supporting NESIT’s mission or availing themselves of NESIT’s educational and collaborative opportunities. Membership is open to all members of the public, and NESIT has a progressive anti-discrimination policy that incorporates the expansive human rights language found in more progressive state statutes. Public benefit is realized through the educational opportunities created by both member and non-member access to the space and its tools, such as donated computer equipment, electronic equipment, etc.
