Thank you so much - I will read that and come back if I still have questions.

Thats' what I was looking for to quote-- Critter saves the day, again

Here's the text directly from the application for 501c3, page 2 of the instructions...

"Legislative Activity. an organization does not qualify for section 501c3 status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation." The informatino is found in the instructions for Form 1023 at this site:

www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1023.pdf

After this point about legislative activity, the instructions go on to define "legislation" and other limitations. It also continues with info about participating (or not) in "political campaigns". You best bet is to read the exact instructions with your situation in mind, and then call the IRS at 1-877-829-5500 to get a verbal interpretation of your situation.

You can engage in politacal issues... Most mean aslong as a substanstial amount or primary purpose is not political (ie PTA Natl Congress-- less than 25% of their resources goes 2 lobbying states, congress, etc)

The misnomer is everyone thinks you cant engages at all in political issues, lobbying, supporting an issue (they maybe dicey and the membership majority has to agree) but by no means may a nonprofit not engage in activities of that ilk

In looking at the Start Up Guide regarding the Form 1023 for 501c3 status, it states not to be engaging in substantial legislative activity. "if your group directly contacts the public to encourage support or opposition to legislation, you will need to provide a detailed explanation . . . to the IRS. In most cases, it's better to keep your group out of political activity."

Our PTSO has a "Legislative" Committee. They are working on 3 areas right now -

one - getting sidewalks and crosswalks at very dangerous intersections of the school and contacting the Mayor and City and County Council members;

two - they are encouraging the School Board to fund the completion of a new high school to address overcrowding at all of our local high schools; and

three - they are addressing state spending on education by contacting our County Mayor and legislative delegation to bring changes needed to make a more equitable distribution of tax dollars to our county and across the state.

I am worried. Is this exactly what we shouldn't be doing? There will be an article in our next newsletter with these items in it and that is the newsletter that I will submit with the 1023 application. There is time to pull the article if necessary (and also make this committee very mad!).

Someone please help - and thanks!