A common question I get from Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) volunteers is if their PTO can use Venmo or PayPal to collect money from parents. The good news is yes you can. But PTO payment app use comes with a huge caveat! You have to set up the account the right way (legally!) or risk...Continue reading
Here’s the thing the IRS knows that a lot of us don’t: your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), from the government’s perspective, is a totally separate entity from your school. Even though you’re raising money for field trips and reading programs and all the things that make a school better, the IRS doesn’t automatically treat you...Continue reading
Dealing with taxes for your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is one of the most stressful things about being Treasurer for your school parent group. Have no fear, we’re breaking down all you need to know about PTO nonprofit 990 filing with the what, when and how to file your PTO’s...Continue reading
If you Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has been around for at least a year, chances are you already have a bunch of paperwork that’s getting passed from one volunteer leader to another. And if your school parent group has been around for many years a PTO record retention policy will serve you well, especially since...Continue reading
Let’s talk about one of the absolute most uncomfortable moments in PTO leadership. As the PTO Treasurer, you’re balancing the books, reviewing recent deposits, and come across a notification in your email from the bank about a returned check due to insufficient funds. Your stomach drops. Then you realize the check is from a parent...Continue reading
One of the most time consuming Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) volunteer positions is that of Treasurer. Tasked with safeguarding the school parent group’s money, providing regular reporting, and tracking every penny of the group’s money, adds up to a big job! Let’s explore the best PTO Treasurer software and finance...Continue reading
Is your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) thinking about giving volunteer or teacher gift cards? There are quite a few considerations to make before your PTO uses group funds to purchase gift cards. Technically there isn’t a written rule against providing gift cards to volunteers or teachers, even if your PTO is a 501(c)(3). This means...Continue reading
The thought of figuring out how to create a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) budget can be super intimidating if it’s the first time you’re putting one together. It’s such a big responsibility, after all and money talk can be uncomfortable in and of itself. Fear not, today’s post is going to walk you through the...Continue reading
One of the most common ways Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) are in the news is because a trusted volunteer, usually the PTO Treasurer or the PTO President has embezzled money from the school parent group. This is super sad because PTO theft prevention is relatively easy with some checks and balances. This post is going...Continue reading
Drowning in a mess of disorganized bank statements, reimbursement requests and receipts as Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurer? That’s a huge indication that it’s time to get organized and set up a PTO officer binder. Let’s walk through the step by step process of setting up an organized PTO Treasurer binder. Why Assemble a...Continue reading
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurers have one of the biggest roles in the entire school parent group. And that’s for good reason because the task of managing and safeguarding the group’s money is a crucial job. Getting organized as PTO Treasurer can cut down on the workload and decrease overwhelm, and make your term as...Continue reading
One of the biggest responsibilities of all Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurers is to present the financial status of the PTO to the school parent group officers, committee chairs and members in the form of a monthly Treasurer report. A good PTO Treasurer report will provide complete transparency about the money the PTO/PTA has both...Continue reading
Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) exist to improve the educational experience for students. But they also exist to improve the entire school community, including the school’s teachers and staff. One fantastic way to support your school’s staff and teachers is to provide funding for projects, equipment and supplies that fall outside the normal school funding process....Continue reading
Ready to step up as your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) school parent group Treasurer, but wondering what’s involved and wishing you could find a Treasurer job description? Taking on the role of PTO Treasurer is an important role for the school parent group itself. And the volunteers who take on...Continue reading
All Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) volunteers want to do the best job that they can in their volunteer role, and leaders wanting to know how to be a good PTO Treasurer is no different. Being a PTO Treasurer is one of the essential positions every PTA/PTO must have and there’s many things that Treasurers have...Continue reading
Have some money burning a hole in your Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTA/PTO) pocket that you’d like to spend? But you’ve heard that there are some big no-nos about what your groups can pay for in terms of keeping your 501(c)(3) non-profit status and you don’t want to make the IRS mad. Or potentially lose your...Continue reading
Sometimes you come across something that works so well that you come to view it as a trusty sidekick.* You find yourself relying on it time and time again, much like a favorite holiday recipe or a favorite pen that writes on all surfaces, no matter what. Smart PTO leaders take this concept event further...Continue reading
How do you handle multiple requests to fund pet projects of parents, teachers or Principals? Managing your PTO’s finances so that you don’t feel like a piggy bank is crucial for a well-functioning PTO! This post will cover some of the best strategies to get in control of what the PTO budget pays for. Strategy...Continue reading
This is a sponsored post. I’ve been compensated by Cheddar Up to write about my experiences using the payment platform. All opinions are 100% mine and haven’t been influenced by the sponsorship agreement. A frequently asked question in the PTA/PTO Super Star Leaders Facebook Group is how best to collect and handle money. Leaders are...Continue reading
As a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurer, there are things that you absolutely must have in your bag of tricks, chiefly, a specific set of PTO treasurer forms. Using forms as treasurer templates will save a lot of time for you as the school parent group Treasurer, but also the fellow members of your group...Continue reading