501c3 exemption is a federal not a state exemption. The code is applied equally to all states! Tim stated that of course a PTA can donate to a PTO ESPECIALLY if they are both 501c3. I'd change that to ONLY if the PTO is a 501c3.

Better check your state laws about 501-c-3 donations to other non-profits! Better have taken a vote of your membership also

Thank you for recognizing that is it the 'individual,' not necessarily the PTA, thus holding the individuals tactics and way of handling things against the PTA. You are a smart leader!

Thanks for the quick reply. It's basically what I've been telling the parents that have called and asked me. I have such a hard time understanding why the issue of supporting all the school in our district isn't the first and foremost goal of the parent groups. The PTA representative for this area is probably the worst person in the world to represent the PTA. As I've said, I have no problem with the PTA in general and I think they do good works by and large. The issue as I see it is that each school's participants (parents, teachers and staff) should decide what will work best for them. My biggest push for a PTO has always been that as a parent member, I would rather have my school supported by a self-governing group. I like being able to have a full say in where and how our dollars are spent. I like being able to know that what money we raise goes to fund our specific causes as we see fit. As members of our own PTO, we get to decide when, where and how many fundraisers are necessary to accomplish our goals. If we see a need to change something in our organization, we as a body can make those changes without having to anwer to a "national organization" who does not know our needs and circumstances.

I continue to be frustrated with the strong-arm bullying in our area by the PTA representative. It continues to be a struggle to get parents involved in building a better district when they hear of all the ******** that takes place.

Thanks for being a sounding board to those of us out here who sometimes wonder if we are alone in our struggles. It's good to have this forum to share and ask questions.

Yes, it's perfectly OK, especially where you say the PTO is a tax-exempt organization.

It is a bully tactic.

I can give you a similar example that made no sense. We (PTO Today) help administer the back-end of a grant program for Lowe's. (www.toolboxforeducation.com). We take in the grant apps., manage the grading and reporting, certify that recipients follow all grant requiremnts,a nd mail out the checls/winner packages.

PTOs and PTAs are equally eligible and literally hundreds of PTAs have won grants, grants averaging over $4,000 each.

So the PTA leadership in one (unnamed) state told its units that they couldn't accept the grants, because PTO Today was involved. Craziest thing I've ever heard. Of course, all the grant winners (correctly) told this state leadership to -- how shall I say? -- pound sand. And they're now making use of their $4000 grants very well, I'm sure.

Similar for you.

Tim

Our school district is a growing district with new schools opening every year. Some of our schools have PTAs and a lot of the newer schools have formed PTOs. In the last few years, as new school open, it has become somewhat of a tradition for the existing school parent group to contribute money to the new school for the start up of a parent group. The PTA area representative has begun contacting local PTAs in our district telling them that they may NOT contribute to a new parent group unless it is a PTA. In my opinion, that is a just a bully tactic to try and get the new school to bend to the will of the Big Bad PTA. Ironically, the PTA rep. was once the President of a PTA in the district and ran it in to the ground. Bylaws were never updated, records not kept, property never turned over, little participation, etc. Her own PTA was rendered "invalid" because of all the violations. Now, acting as the PTA rep. she is strong-arming the other PTAs to conform to her way of thinking.

Personally, most people don't care if they go PTA or PTO. The bottom line is that schools want to support one another and the issue of the name of the parent group is being made to be the main focus. Can't one tax exempt organization contribute to another tax expemt organization? Should it not be up to the membership body to decide whether to support (donate) another parent group in the same district?

What's your opinion? We're all curious as to how other districts may have handled this.

Thanks