You should check the education code for your state. In the state where I live (Texas), each campus is required to have a PTO - if they don't they are breaking the law. Regarding the IRS, they require the bylaws have written in them what happens to the money when you disband - I learned that in another post from the past.

That's the number I needed, thanks!

To find out if your organization is a 501(c)(3) listed with the IRS, you'll need to contact the them. An online lookup page is available at
www.irs.gov/charities/page/0,,id=15053,00.html

The phone number for the IRS Exempt Organization customer service toll-free line is 1-877-829-5500. They are generally very helpful. Finding out your status is key.

Now, if you are interested in whether or not your a corporation, that would be handled at the state level. Since we can't tell what state you are from, I can't direct you. But you should be able to do a web search and discover what state agency governs incorporation of non-profit organizations.

As far as the principal - he may well have the power to control what organizations are officially recognized by the school, which are allowed to use school resources, and even the school name. Finding out if you are set up as an independent entity is certainly a good step, but that alone will not solve your problems. While it's technically possible to operate completely separate from the school, it would be very difficult to be successful without official recognition and cooperation.

Well, I'm not taking the principle's word that it isn't a corp. They had three schools combine into one and I'm sure the principal had other things to concern herself with besides whether the PTO filed with the state... I'd like to have definate confirmation. Anyone have a phone number?

Recommendation: Start a PTO and get the legal status. Make sure you have a large backing of parents first.

Good luck!

Finally talked to the principal. She said the PTO wasn't a corporation... 501c3 or otherwise, and that no papers were filed with the state. I'd like to check this out. How do I call the IRS to ask? And will they answer? I called last week and hit automated runaround after runaroun.