The Indiana Metropolitan Area
Network (iMAN) was incorporated in 2001 as a Type 1 Supporting Organization of the Steuben County Community Foundation.  With guidance and legal counsel form Baker & Daniels, it was determined that this model- - deploying a community fiber optic data network and using revenue from paid subscriptions to the fiber backbone for ongoing charitable
projects-- was in fact a first of its kind.  Fiber, the infrastructure challenge of the 21^st century, which brings speed that is almost immediate over secure and dedicated lines at a fraction of TI costs, would most likely see revenues exceeding $432,000 annually, when the county-wide deployment was completed; impressive for a county with only about 32,000 residents. 

For the past decade, iMAN has implemented its original business plan with great patience and tenacity- in some years building only one mile at a time.  We are delighted to announce that these virtues have finally been rewarded, and with a recent $2 million appropriation from the county’s Major Moves Fund, iMAN is well on the way to seeing the completion of Steuben County’s 65 mile fiber deployment by the end of 2011.  

Not only does iMAN bring this much-needed, and critical new form of infrastructure to rural Indiana, it returns 100% of the fees to the community in which it is deployed.  Once the fiber construction is completed in Steuben County, 65% percent of all subscription fees will be used to support the community foundation’s operations and grantmaking functions, while 35% will be used to support iMAN’s ongoing administration, construction, maintenance, and network management.  What’s more is that we know this business model can be replicated throughout NE Indiana, and for that matter, anywhere there is a community foundation.  And because of its shared charitable status with the foundation, construction can be funded through a variety of sources including philanthropic contributions.

IRS Requirements:
The Steuben County Indiana Metropolitan Network (i-MAN), is a Type I supporting organization of the Steuben County Community Foundation. Its objectives are to:

1. Develop and implement broadband fiber optic high speed digital service in Steuben County, Indiana,
2. To use revenues to fund and sustain broadband service in Steuben County, Indiana through SCCF's community endowment funds, and
3. To promote a competitive environment for education, government, business and industry.

Overseen by Baker & Daniels and the Steuben County Community Foundation, i-MAN passes the Organizational Test, the Operational Test and the Integral Part Test, qualifying it for charitable status as a Supporting Organization in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, and submits its own annual 990 tax return.