INDIANA INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: Form 990, tax year 2025

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
INDIANA INNOCENCE PROJECT INC (EIN 99-3127649)
Tax period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31
Filed
2026-05-15
IRS object ID
202631359349316758
Schema version
2025v4.1
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2026-05-15T22:03:12-06:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2025-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN834491000PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1Books on the Go CPA FirmBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line12346 S Lynhurst Dr Suite 508AddressLine1Txt
CityIndianapolisCityNm
State AbbreviationINStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP46234ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2025-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN993127649EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1Indiana Innocence Project IBusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
In Care Of% Frances L WatsonInCareOfNm
Business Name ControlINDIBusinessNameControlTxt

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1133 West Market Street STE 282AddressLine1Txt
CityIndianapolisCityNm
State AbbreviationINStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP462042801ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonFRANCES L WATSONPersonNm
Person TitlePresidentPersonTitleTxt
Phone3176708545PhoneNum
Signature2026-05-14SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerfalseDiscussWithPaidPreparerInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonMILLICENT DOTSONPreparerPersonNm
PTINP02258324PTIN
Phone3177280212PhoneNum
Preparation2026-05-15PreparationDt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2025TaxYr
Build TS2025-03-06 01:10:19ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerFrances L WatsonPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1133 W Market Street 282AddressLine1Txt
CityIndianapolisCityNm
State AbbreviationINStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP46204ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$1,021,424GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For AffiliatesfalseGroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation2024FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateINLegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionThe Indiana Innocence Network focuses on identifying, investigating, and litigating claims of factual innocence while advocating for systemic justice reform.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body7VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent7VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee3TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Gross UBI$0TotalGrossUBIAmt
Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm$0NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt
CY Contributions Grants$1,001,956CYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$0CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Investment Income$19,468CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Other Revenue$0CYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$1,021,424CYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$0CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$189,019CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$0CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
CY Other Expenses$36,420CYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$225,439CYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$795,985CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$11,740TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$808,436TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$711TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$11,740NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$807,725NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
MissionThe Indiana Innocence Network focuses on identifying, investigating, and litigating claims of factual innocence while advocating for systemic justice reform.MissionDesc
Significant New Program SrvcfalseSignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant ChangefalseSignificantChangeInd
Expense$218,509ExpenseAmt
Revenue$1,001,956RevenueAmt
DescCase Investigation and Litigation Beneficiaries Reached: In 2025, the organization represented 6 individuals who signed retainer agreements or reached the stage of filing legal motions (such as DNA testing or post-conviction relief). Legal Expertise: The program is led by a Legal Director and Legal Counsel, supported by 100 hours of pro bono attorney contributions. Case Intake and Screening Requests Processed: The network received 154 new letters requesting assistance in 2025. Measurable Outcomes: The team successfully processed 94 rejections and maintained an average initial screening time of 2 months. Volunteer Support: 15 traditional volunteers contributed approximately 200 hours to support intake, research, writing, and case researchDesc
Total Program Service Expenses$218,509TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (true)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (true)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign ActyfalsePoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying ActivitiesfalseLobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy TaxfalseSubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised FundfalseDonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation EasementsfalseConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of ArtfalseCollectionsOfArtInd
Credit CounselingfalseCreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi EndowmentsfalseDonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentfalseReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other SecfalseReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related InvstfalseReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other AssetsfalseReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesfalseReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnotefalseIncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtfalseIndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl StmtfalseConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School OperatingfalseSchoolOperatingInd
Foreign OfficefalseForeignOfficeInd
Foreign ActivitiesfalseForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To OrgfalseMoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To IndividualsfalseMoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional FundraisingfalseProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising ActivitiesfalseFundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming ActivitiesfalseGamingActivitiesInd
Operate HospitalfalseOperateHospitalInd
Grants To OrganizationsfalseGrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsfalseGrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredfalseScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt BondsfalseTaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit TransfalseEngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit TransfalsePYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan OutstandingfalseLoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related PersonfalseGrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org MemfalseBusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam MemfalseBusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl EntfalseBusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash ContrifalseDeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art ContributionfalseDeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate OperationsfalseTerminateOperationsInd
Partial LiquidationfalsePartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded EntityfalseDisregardedEntityInd
Related EntityfalseRelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl EntfalseRelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd OrgfalseTrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted PrtshpfalseActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (true)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document0IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (true)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee3EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (true)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over LimitfalseUnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Foreign Financial AccountfalseForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter TransfalseProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party NotificationfalseTaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible ContributionsfalseNondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo ContributionsfalseQuidProQuoContributionsInd
Form8282 Property Disposed OffalseForm8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalseRcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalsePayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Form8899 FiledindfalseForm8899Filedind
Form1098 C FiledfalseForm1098CFiledInd
DAF Excess Business HoldingsfalseDAFExcessBusinessHoldingsInd
Taxable DistributionsfalseTaxableDistributionsInd
Distribution To DonorfalseDistributionToDonorInd
Indoor Tanning ServicesfalseIndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht PymtfalseSubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst IncfalseSubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members7GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member7IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business RlnfalseFamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt DutiesfalseDelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org DocumentsfalseChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or MisusefalseMaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or StockholdersfalseMembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board MembersfalseElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To ApprovafalseDecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (true)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (true)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing AddressYes (true)OfficerMailingAddressInd
Local ChaptersfalseLocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyYes (true)Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (true)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (true)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (true)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (true)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyYes (true)DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (true)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherYes (true)CompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint VenturefalseInvestmentInJointVentureInd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldINStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonFrances L WatsonPersonNm
Phone3176708545PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1133 W Market Street 282AddressLine1Txt
CityIndianapolisCityNm
State AbbreviationINStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP46204ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
No Listed Persons CompensatedYes (X)NoListedPersonsCompensatedInd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (10 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtAverage Hours Per Week Rltd OrgAverageHoursPerWeekRltdOrgRtOfficerOfficerIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeInd
Frances L Watson
President0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
Valena Beety
Board Memeber0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
Kristine Bunch
Vice President & Treasurer0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
Roosevelt Glenn
Board Member0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
William Montross
Board Member0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
Marla Sandys
Secretary0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
James Voyles
Board Member0.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
Victoria Casanova
Director0.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Joshua Barnett
Legal Counsel0.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Debra Des Vignes
Director0.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$0TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Tot Reportable Comp Rltd Org$0TotReportableCompRltdOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$0TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K0IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees ListedfalseFormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KfalseTotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other SrcsfalseCompensationFromOtherSrcsInd
Government Grants$1,000,000GovernmentGrantsAmt
All Other Contributions$1,956AllOtherContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$1,001,956TotalContributionsAmt

Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$19,468TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$19,468RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt

Net Incm From Fundraising Evt NetIncmFromFundraisingEvtGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$1,021,424TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$19,468RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$0UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
Exclusion$0ExclusionAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$174,808TotalAmt
Program Services$174,808ProgramServicesAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$14,211TotalAmt
Program Services$14,211ProgramServicesAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$2,821TotalAmt
Management And General$2,821ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$16,502TotalAmt
Program Services$16,502ProgramServicesAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,957TotalAmt
Program Services$1,957ProgramServicesAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$6,580TotalAmt
Program Services$6,580ProgramServicesAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,858TotalAmt
Program Services$1,858ProgramServicesAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$3,405TotalAmt
Management And General$3,405ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (4 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmtManagement And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmt
Shipping and Postage$654$654
Meals$361$361
Payroll Processing$532$532
Reimbursements$1,578$1,578

All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$172TotalAmt
Management And General$172ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$225,439TotalAmt
Program Services$218,509ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$6,930ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$0FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$11,740BOYAmt
EOY$807,725EOYAmt

Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$711EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$11,740BOYAmt
EOY$808,436EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$711EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$0BOYAmt
EOY$711EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$11,740BOYAmt
EOY$807,725EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$11,740BOYAmt
EOY$807,725EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$11,740BOYAmt
EOY$808,436EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$795,985ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Other Changes In Net Assets$0OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt
Method Of Accounting CashYes (X)MethodOfAccountingCashInd
Accountant Compile Or ReviewYes (true)AccountantCompileOrReviewInd

Acct Compile Or Review Basis AcctCompileOrReviewBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
FS AuditedfalseFSAuditedInd
Audit CommitteefalseAuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit RequiredfalseFederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year$1,001,956CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$1,001,956TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year$1,001,956CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$1,001,956TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantial Contributors Tot$979,572SubstantialContributorsTotAmt
Public Support Total170$22,384PublicSupportTotal170Amt

Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year$19,468CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$19,468TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Support$1,021,424TotalSupportAmt
Public Support CY1700.02190PublicSupportCY170Pct
Public Support PY1700.00000PublicSupportPY170Pct
Private Foundation170Yes (X)PrivateFoundation170Ind

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (6 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11Form 990 was sent to the president and vice president via a secure portal for review, approval and signature before filing
Officer director etc mailing address Part VI line 9Indiana Innocence Project does not have a physical location. Board memebers and employees work remotely from their homes. The registered address for the Not-For-Profit is currently the same as the presidents.
Conflict of interest policy compliance Part VI line 12cThe Conflict of Interest policy governs the following covered persons directors, officers, member of a committee with delegated board authority, reporting contact or employee who reports directly to the board. A covered persons family consist of spouse, sibings, half-siblings, step-siblings and any of their spouses. As well as the lineal ancestors and lineal descendants of the covered person. Relationships must be reported as soon as they become aware of. Once reported all conflicts of interest are reviewed and determined by the board.
CEO executive director top management comp Part VI line 15aINIP writes the job description and includes a compensation range. The compensation range is based on compensation to similarly situated individuals (in terms of job description) within the innocence organizations. Consideration also is given to geographic differences in pay within the network and comparable salaries for not-for-profit legal and non-legal positions in Indiana.
Other officer or key employee compensation Part VI line 15bINIP writes the job description and includes a compensation range. The compensation range is based on compensation to similarly situated individuals (in terms of job description) within the innocence organizations. Consideration also is given to geographic differences in pay within the network and comparable salaries for not-for-profit legal and non-legal positions in Indiana.
Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19Documents are available to the public upon a written request

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