PTO Today

PTA

PTO

Definition

A local parent group formally affiliated with its state’s PTA organization and the National PTA.

An independent parent group; in other words, any non-PTA group. Many acronyms—such as HSA, PCC, PTO, and more—fall under the independent group umbrella. (In this chart, we use “PTO” generically to mean any independent parent group.)

How Many?

Approximately 21,500 local K-8 PTA groups in the United States.

Our estimate (PTOs are not required to register, so this count is an educated calculation): approximately 55,000 PTOs in the United States.

Umbrella Organization/ Professional Staff

National PTA has more than 75 paid employees in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Many state PTAs have at least one additional paid staff member. Most national and state PTA revenues come from dues from local units.

There is no “national PTO” akin to National PTA. PTO Today Inc. is often considered the closest comparison to National PTA, but PTO Today is a media and services company (25 employees). The vast majority of PTO Today’s income comes from paid advertising, not from PTO or PTA groups.

Dues—Required?

Yes.

No. The decision to charge dues is completely up to your local group.

Dues—How Much?

On average, more than $1,000 per group for county, state, and National PTA dues. (National dues $1.75 per member, per year. State dues vary; typically $2 to $4 per member, per year. County dues also vary; often 25 cents or so per member, per year.)

It is up to your group, but the entire amount stays at your school. Many PTOs choose to charge no dues as a way to foster parent involvement. They consider all parents members automatically.

Insurance—
Required?

Varies by state. Most often, yes.

No; it is up to your group. But we highly recommend that all groups get insurance.

Insurance—
Access

Most state PTAs have a negotiated rate with a preferred provider.

PTOs can access preferred rates through the optional PTO Today Plus program or obtain insurance on their own.

Insurance—Cost

Varies by state. Typically (but not always) insurance is less expensive for PTAs, but per-group dues expenses need to be included, as well, when determining total insurance cost.

PTO Today Plus insurance rates range from $70 to $165 for different types of coverage, including officer liability, general liability, and property insurance.

Nonprofit Status

Required. Status is typically granted automatically as part of a parent group’s affiliation with National PTA and payment of annual dues.

Not required. If your group decides to become a registered nonprofit, it applies directly to the IRS and pays a one-time $750 fee. Step-by-step instructions (successfully used by hundreds of groups) are available from PTO Today.

Total Cost

The biggest factor is how many paid members you will have. An average PTA unit has 220 members, which (depending on state) equates to roughly $1,000 per year in dues costs. Most PTAs add insurance cost to that (anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollars).

Can be zero, if the group doesn’t apply for tax-exempt status and doesn’t get insurance. Tax-exempt status is a one-time (not annual) fee of $750. Insurance can be secured individually (often $500+ per year) or as part of PTO Today Plus program, which provides several benefits as well as discounted insurance for roughly $300 per year.

Political Participation

Required. National PTA is openly an advocacy organization for PTA-approved positions. Local PTA groups cannot advocate publicly against PTA-approved positions.

Not required. Groups can choose to play an advocacy/political role; however, many PTOs opt to remain focused on parent involvement, school/teacher/student support, and community-building.

National Voice

Yes. Your group is part of National PTA’s political efforts. A Washington, D.C., lobbying office is professionally staffed.

No. Many PTOs don’t feel it’s part of what they’re about or don’t like the potential acrimony that politics can bring (or both). Most PTOs choose to devote their energies to the concerns of parents at their school, where they feel they can do the most good and make the greatest difference.