Project Rebar

An open-source IT framework for small nonprofits. Tech structure you can build on.

Beta — under active development

Opinionated, without being Rigid

Most nonprofits under 50 people don't need enterprise IT — they need a realistic IT plan to keep their operations running. Project Rebar is an opinionated framework built on tested, common tech solutions that covers the areas every organization needs: identity, endpoints, monitoring, backups, and compliance. It provides sane defaults for your IT solutions using open-source, widely adopted tools, but is designed on modularity, so you pick and choose what works best for you.

Why "Rebar"?

In construction, rebar is the steel framework inside concrete. It's flexible — you can bend it, cut it, wire it together — but once it's set, it's what gives the foundation its strength. Without it, concrete cracks. With it, the structure holds.

Project Rebar works the same way. It gives your organization a strong internal framework to build around — one you can shape to fit your needs and expand on as you grow. You're not starting from scratch, and you're not locked into someone else's proprietary system that stops working the moment they walk away.

Too many IT contractors build dependency, not capability. They design systems only they can maintain, then bill you for the privilege. Project Rebar is the opposite: we reinforce what you have, make sure you understand it, and hand you the keys.

Core Principles

Layers On, Doesn't Rip Out

Your network works? Great — we build on top of it. Rebar doesn't demand a full infrastructure overhaul to get started. We assess what you have, keep what's working, and fill in the gaps.

You Own Everything

Open-source tools. Your hardware. Your data. No per-user licensing fees that scale against you as you grow. When we leave, you keep everything — no vendor lock-in, no proprietary black boxes.

Built for Non-Technical Staff

Operational runbooks written for the people who actually use the systems — not just the person who set them up. If your office manager needs to reset a password or check a backup, the instructions are there.

Modular by Design

Every component can be swapped. Prefer a different monitoring tool? Different backup solution? Rebar gives you sane defaults, but it's a framework — not a cage. Your organization, your choices.

What Rebar Covers

The areas every organization needs — whether you have 5 people or 50.

01

Identity & Access

Centralized user accounts, password management, and access controls. Know who has access to what, and revoke it in minutes when someone leaves.

02

Endpoint Management

Laptops, desktops, and devices — locked down, monitored, and manageable. Antivirus, disk encryption, and remote management without per-seat enterprise licensing.

03

Monitoring & Alerts

Dashboards that show the health of your systems at a glance. Automated alerts when something needs attention — before it becomes a crisis.

04

Backup & Recovery

Automated backups with tested recovery procedures. Know your data is safe and that you can actually restore it when you need to.

05

Compliance & Documentation

IT policies, security controls, and audit trails that satisfy grant requirements. Documentation that stays current because it's built into the workflow.

06

Runbooks & Training

Step-by-step guides for common tasks, written in plain language. Your team can handle day-to-day IT without waiting on a technician.

Interested?

Project Rebar is in active development. If you'd like to learn more or explore whether it's a fit for your organization, let's talk.

Get in Touch