Although incorporation can be different state by state, the 501c3 process is federal so it does not vary. Our start up guide
Expert Guidance
is a great resource for helping with the details.
Anyone have sample articles & by-laws or experience incorp & filing for 501c3 in VA? We are a Prince William County Elem School PTO. The PTo has been around for a number of years but had never been incorporated etc. thanks!
ericchaney - the role of PTOs can vary greatly, although most of us have some fairly common views about about what a parent group should/should not fund or how independent they should be. (Even so, there are still no absolutes.)
But from from close friends in your situation I've found that church-related parent groups are often a whole different world. Often the fundraising done by a parent group is totally controlled by the church officials for keep-the-lights-on purposes that many of us would see outside the scope of a traditional PTO.
That's not to say the are ALL that way or that you can't negotiate differently. Your maximum leverage is before you agree to take on a task. Really think about the needs and expectations of both sides and see what compromise can be made.
Something like, We understand the need for parent volunteers to take on this fundraising, and we're willing to do so. But we want assurance that we get decide how X% of it is used... (or that a specific project is funded, whatever it is you want accomplished.)
Unfortunately, it does seem that many groups that are a service brance of the school find that their funds are completely controlled by the school admin/board of education.
I've never been involved with private schools so I don't know what is typical.
As education funding is being cut all across the board, it seems that parent groups are being asked to pick more operational costs than ever. If your group can assist the school in this way and you think it's a responsible use of your time and funds then great! If, however, you think the school needs to focus on benefitting from other resources so that your team can focus on the 'extras' like a playground, then perhaps a meeting with your officers, the principal and the priest are in order. Clear lines of communication are key. If your team goes in with a coopertative attitude, an open mind and a clear plan for your own goals then hopefully you all can figure out a way to balance things out.
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I am the President of a newly formed PTO at a Catholic School. We are being told that the PTO is not directly involved in collecting or spending its own money. All the money we raise goes into a bank account controled by the Proncipla and the Priest. We are having a very difficult time controling anything we do since every meeting we have has a new guide line or rule set down by the priest. They are now coming to us to donate money to the school and to make the PTO the driving force for school fundraisers. Is this really the way a pto works. We had plans of a new playground but are now being told the money has to be used to help out the school with it's own costs. Help! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
