Hello. I am looking through the 501(c)(3) application in order to register our newly formed PTO and am wondering how others have designated the purpose of your PTO. I would think our purpose would either be charitable or educational.

Also, have you designated your PTO as either a Private Foundation or a Public Charity.

I'm no accountant or lawyer, so this is a slow process.

Thanks for any help,
Tim

You should consider buying the start-up toolkit from this site (we got it free, because we're "Plus" members). It answers these questions and others; I referred to it just this past spring when filling out our Form 1023.

Our purpose is "to support Birch Meadow Elementary School." You do *not* want to be a private foundation, because then donations are not tax deductible.

I'm an electrical engineer.

I am in need of advice. I am in the PTO and the principal (who will not divulge a budget with details of expenses. Its a generalization answer when asked about what we have to spend or allocate. We have told her the bylaws state that she is not to run or control the budget but apparently she does and won't relinquish the control. What can we do?

Is she on the checkbook??? if not, how can she have the control.
A budget should come from the PTO to the principal and the rest of the parents... not the other way around-- It sounds like you need to pull the by-laws and have a meeting with her-- you might have to go higher to get answers....

HJshop - is it really a PTO, and are you incorporated? It sounds more like a "PTC" as described elsewhere on this site, where the "C" is for committee that's run by the principal and not a separate organization (and the school has to track the donations and file appropriately with the IRS).