Question: when can we apply for grants?

We have finally finished filling out form 1023!!!! Thanks to the Start Up Toolkit. My question is we now need to apply for grants in order to try and raise enough money for a playground. Are we able to start this now or do we need to wait until we get the approval of our 501(c)(3) status?

Asked by j_wright1976@hotmail.com

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Craig writes:
Congratulations! That's definitely an accomplishment, and a great step for your group. The grant program I'm most familiar with is Lowe's Toolbox for Education, which provides $5 million in grants to parent groups and schools each year. I know they require that you have received your determination letter in order to collect a grant. I suspect that's true of other grant organizations as well. However, with the Lowe's grant you can fill out the paperwork and apply in the name of the school rather than the PTO. The check would then be written directly to the school.