We decided to become a PTO and filed for 501c3 status. We didn't spend down our $ b/c we are waiting for the papers to come thru and donate to the new PTO. The 501c3 papers have been delayed, do we need to wait for the government to send them before we donate from the PTA to the PTO?
Last year our school wanted to change over to a PTO from a PTA. We simply voted in our new board as usual and once the new board was in place, we wrote a check to the school with our left over funds to cover the new school year's "Back to School and Orientation costs". We then let the current memberships expire (our expired at the end of June). In July, we got our new PTO up and running. Since the PTA essentially had no members other than the board, we let it go inactive and refused to endorse or promote a PTA. When the state PTA came calling, we told her that there were only five members (all board members) and that we had no assets. They asked for our books, and we respectfully declined to turn them over. We offered them the opportunity to copy at their expense and at our convenience, but they declined. They sent a letter to the school indicating that the PTA was in default for failing to register and renew, but the principal was supportive of the change. She indicated to the PTA representative that there were no funds, no assets and no interest in pursing a PTA. We never heard from them again. Our first year as a PTO was a tremndous success. Our membership doubled (still a far cry from 100%), but the staff and teachers were behind us 100% as well as the more involved parents in the community. The PTO is much more democratic in nature and we are free to do as we deem most beneficial for our school without jumping through hoops and restriction. The money raised at our school by our students is spent 100% on our school and our students. Although it was a seemingly daunting task to make the switch, the reality is that is was relatively simple. There is paperwork and followup involved, but once it's set up, it runs wonderfully. We have no regrets!
I spoke with a someone at our state office who told me that a pta can give money to any recognized 501c3...including a pto. Is this true? Also, what can a state pta actually do to take any left over money?
