Our Community, Our Vision
As our community grows and our aspirations expand, we are taking a formal step to secure our future and strengthen our ability to serve. This transition is the natural evolution of our community from an informal gathering of friends into a formal institution capable of serving generations to come.
Our primary vision is to:
Build a resilient Indonesian Muslim diaspora in Greater Austin who are steadfast in faith, excel in knowledge, empower others, uphold an inclusive Islam, honors diversity, and contributes positively to society through civic and moral responsibility.
Everything we do is guided by our key values: Faith, Knowledge, and Community. To continue building on the success of these values, our thriving community must now take the next strategic step in its journey.
Why This Change? And Why Now?
A Foundation for Growth
Transitioning into a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit is a strategic necessity to secure our future. This change is driven by the projected growth of our community and the need for a more sustainable foundation to support our long-term goals.
- Our Growing Community: IMATX has become a vital hub, now serving approximately 450 families and 1,500 Indonesians in the Greater Austin area.
- The Financial Challenge: Relying only on ad-hoc individual donations is risky and cannot sustain our major programs or long-term ambitions.
- The Proactive Solution: Becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides the legal foundation required to unlock the funding necessary to secure the future.
This new legal foundation opens up new opportunities for our community to thrive.
The Major Benefits of Becoming a Nonprofit
Becoming a 501(c)(3) opens up new opportunities that will benefit every member of our community. This formal status provides the structure, protection, and financial tools we need to achieve our vision.
Stronger Financial Engine
This status unlocks critical new funding streams to power our programs and services.
- Corporate Matching Gifts: Access funds from employers through platforms like Benevity.
- Foundation Grants: Pursue mission-aligned grants from public and private foundations.
- Tax-Deductible Donations: Once our application is approved by the IRS, all individual donations will become tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
- Strategic Compliance: To qualify for many corporate matching programs, we will strategically distinguish between our religious activities and our community services. These community services will be operated as "faith-neutral" and open to all, ensuring we meet the eligibility requirements of major corporate donors while upholding our core mission.
Protection for Our Members
This structure provides limited personal liability, meaning members, directors, and officers are not personally liable for the corporation's debts, ensuring that those who serve our community are legally protected.
A Lasting Structure
Having a formal legal existence provides continuity for our mission that survives beyond the tenure of the current leadership team, creating a stable and enduring organization that can serve the community for generations to come.
To achieve these benefits, we are also committing to a more formal structure of governance and accountability.
Our Commitment to Transparency: Governance and Responsibilities
A formal nonprofit requires a clear and accountable leadership structure. This tiered ecosystem ensures legal compliance, financial stability, and most importantly, that the community's voice remains central to our mission.
- Board of Directors: The Board is composed of our organization's legal stewards. Their primary role is to ensure compliance and financial solvency, providing fiduciary oversight rather than managing day-to-day operations. The initial directors named in the state filing are:
- Candra Janova
- Besar Wicaksono
- Vitria W Sunoko
- Andika Rivai
- Advisory Council: This council is the formal channel for community input and strategic guidance. It ensures that the diverse perspectives and aspirations of our members are heard and considered, all without burdening community representatives with legal liability.
To ensure full transparency, it is important to understand both the advantages and the new responsibilities that come with this change.
Key Advantages | New Obligations |
Limited Personal Liability | Annual tax filings and record-keeping |
Tax Exemptions | Restrictions on political campaigning |
Access to Grants | Strict rules against private benefit |
This new structure is designed to support our work, not change it. The core mission remains the same, and we have already made significant progress on this journey.
Our Journey So Far & Your Role in Our Future
Our leadership has been working diligently to lay the legal groundwork for this important transition. We have already completed several critical steps to prepare IMATX for this next chapter.
Key Milestones Achieved
- Filed the Certificate of Formation with the State of Texas (December 2025).
- Obtained a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS (January 2026).
- Opened a dedicated organization bank account to professionalize our finances (January 2026).
What's Next?
- Community Alignment.
- Finalizing and formally adopting the organizational Bylaws.
- Filing Form 1023-EZ with the IRS to apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
While the legal entity now exists, its success depends on the formal adoption of this new structure by our community. Your support is essential to legitimize our purpose and empower our leadership to move forward together. Together, we can build an enduring home for our community, grounded in our shared values and secured for the future.
Questions & Answers
Q1: Does this change the mission of IMATX?
A: No. Our legal Certificate of Formation explicitly states that our purpose remains charitable, educational, and religious—including community service, cultural exchange, and promoting diversity. This new structure is simply a tool to help us better achieve the core vision our community has always shared.
Q2: Are we still a member-led organization?
A: Yes. The Certificate of Formation confirms that the corporation will have members. The Advisory Council is specifically designed to ensure member input is a central part of our strategic guidance and decision-making.
Q3: What are the rules about political activities?
A: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are strictly prohibited from participating in political campaigns for or against any candidate for public office. Our focus remains on community service, education, and faith.
Q4: Who can I contact for more information?
A: For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our primary contact at: imatx.sec@gmail.com.
