I also recommend PTO Today's start up kid. I think you'll find it gives good value for the cost.

I do want to clarify one comment above. You do not need to be an accountant to fill out the 1023 and apply for 501(c)(3). It's not trivial - it takes persistence and attention to detail. But many of us "just parents" have successfully completed the task.

The start up kit would be a great idea. If you had an accountant volunteering to help you, that also would be wonderful. But it can be done by an individual.

I'm one of the "veterans" who have been on these boards since before the start up kit existed. (Some of us provided input and reviews for the kit.) But HAD the kit existed when I filed the papers, I'd have happily paid the $40 myself considering the time and effort it would have saved. (Note - I haven't looked at the tool/pricing in a long time. So I'm just repeating cost noted above. You should double-check the current price.)

When we started our new middle school parent group last year, we followed along the same lines as you did. Bylaws, incorporation, EIN, Conflict of interest policy, etc.
I had ordered the PTO Today "Parent Start Up" kit. It cost me last year $40, which they later applied to our PTO Today Membership fees. It had all kinds of excellant advise and tidbits of information for Bylaws, contact info for each state for incorporating, conflict of interest policy, and most important for us was the STEP BY STEP walk thru for the 501c3 application. The 501c3 application was 20+ pages and using that guide, the treasurer and I were successful the first time in obtaining our 501c3 status.
Do understand it's alot of work and we met several times to work through it but it was very satisifing to see that IRS acceptance. So unless you have a parent that's an accountant and has the ability to fill out all the paperwork necessary in the 501c3 application, I highly recommend the start up kit from PTO Today. It's written in plain english you can understand and should you have a question you can call PTO Today. I know I did, and they were very helpful. Good luck, you're at the home stretch.

Not sure what you are asking.

Sounds like you're doing a great job. The Form 1023 is the application to get your 501c3 status. They're not really different things.

Tim

Hello!!! We are starting up a pto at our elementary and so far we have gotten our EIN number and we registered with the state and we have gotten our bylaws and articles of incorporation done!! So we are stuck on the next step 1023 and the 501c3 any advice would be wonderful.