After reading a little bit about becoming a 501c3 organization, I was wondering when this has to be completed by. The reason is it is going to cost $700 and we are a little low on cash until we do our first major fundraiser in a couple of months.

We got our own unique tax id last September as before that they were using the school's id number.

So I am wondering what kinda time frame we have to work with.

Thanks,
Seanna
PTO Treasurer

I have a vague recollection of a 25-month window. Aha! 27:
Instructions for Form 1023 (6/2006)

Some organizations take longer (ahem, 20 years ...) but then you have to send a nice letter about why you were incompetent in the beginning.