Summary:

• A PTO gives parents and teachers a way to work together, raise funds, and improve the school experience—without needing national oversight like a PTA.
• Your PTO will have many responsibilities. You’ll need to form your leadership team and write bylaws, handle nonprofit paperwork, budget, run fundraisers, and more.
• Technology can help streamline many of the tasks you’ll need to complete. FutureFund makes it easy to fundraise, coordinate volunteers, collect dues, and stay in compliance with financial and data privacy rules.
• With the right team, clear goals, and FutureFund’s free features, any parent or teacher can start a PTO that makes a real difference in their school.

Starting a PTO is one of the best things you can do to support your school community. It gives parents and teachers a chance to work together, raise money for the things kids actually need, and create the kind of school experience you want your kids to have.

Of course, getting a PTO off the ground takes some planning—but the good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

We developed FutureFund to help school groups fundraise, organize volunteers, and stay in compliance—all key responsibilities for PTOs. This guide from our team shows you how to set up one of these organizations step-by-step—and also shows you how our free platform can give you a boost.

How FutureFund Helps PTOs

Before we dive into the step-by-step, here’s a quick look at how FutureFund can support your PTO from day one:

• Easy fundraising tools for everything from fun runs to yearbook sales and more
• Simple volunteer sign-ups that make it easier to count on the help you need
• Secure online payments for donations, dues, and spirit wear
• Automatic receipts and reports—great for your treasurer and tax time
• 100% free for school groups—get access to all features without paying a dime

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about starting your PTO—then get started with FutureFund to see how we can give you a leg up!

20 Steps to Starting a Successful PTO

Starting a PTO takes planning—but when you break it into manageable steps, it’s totally doable. Here’s how to go from idea to action (with a little help from FutureFund along the way).

Build Your Team

1. Talk to Other Parents

Start by chatting with other parents to see who’s interested. Are there people who want to get more involved? What would they like to see at school? This helps build early momentum.

2. Check in With Your School

Talk to your principal or administration about your plans. Most schools are glad to have support—especially when you’re organized and clear about how you want to help. They’ll probably have some good advice as well!

3. Find & Elect Leaders

To start a PTO, you’ll need core officers like a President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Some groups add a Vice President or Communications Chair, but it’s okay to start small.

Tip: FutureFund makes it easy to keep your leadership team organized with shared access to fundraising campaigns, payment records, and volunteer management tools. You can also customize permissions so that only authorized officers can access specific data.

Lay the Groundwork

4. Define Your Mission

What’s the purpose of your PTO? Funding field trips? Supporting teachers? Strengthening the school community? A concise and specific mission helps guide your decisions.

5. Write Your Bylaws

Bylaws lay out how your PTO works—voting, meetings, officer terms, finances. Keep it simple. You can always adjust later.

Here are some questions all PTOs should address in their bylaws:

• What is the process of electing or appointing officers?
• How often will the PTO meet?
• Are there yearly dues? How much are they?
• What are the main goals of your organization?
• Will your PTO offer specific benefits or incentives to members?
• What specific policies or processes will govern your fundraising?
• How will you adjust bylaws in the future if necessary?

6. Form Committees (If Needed)

If you have recurring needs—like fundraising, hospitality, or classroom support—it can help to set up small committees so tasks are easier to manage. Each committee may have it’s own chair, who answers to the chair of the PTO itself.

Handle the Paperwork (or Do It Online!)

7. Register as a Nonprofit With the State

This usually means filing articles of incorporation so your group becomes a recognized organization. Check your state’s requirements, as they can vary.

8. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

You’ll need an EIN from the IRS (like a social security number for your PTO) to open a bank account and apply for nonprofit status. It’s free and you can do it here.

9. Apply for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

Becoming a tax-exempt nonprofit allows you to accept tax-deductible donations and avoid certain taxes. There’s some paperwork involved—but it’s worth it.

When you’re ready, you can apply for 501(c)(3) status here. Be prepared to submit either IRS form 1023 (which costs $600) or 1023-EZ (which costs $275).

Here’s the IRS guide on how to prepare before filing if you need it.

Tip: FutureFund tracks donations, generates reports, and creates tax-deductible donation receipts automatically—so your treasurer doesn’t have to.

10. Get Liability Insurance

Some schools require this for events, and it’s a good idea for peace of mind. It can cover accidents, property damage, or financial mismanagement.

Get Set Up

11. Open a Bank Account

Set up a dedicated PTO bank account. You’ll usually need your EIN, bylaws, and meeting minutes. Make sure at least two officers are authorized signers.

Tip: Once you have a bank account for your PTO, you can link it to FutureFund so that funds you raise on our platform are automatically deposited. And don’t worry—you’ll keep every cent of what you raise. Learn more about FutureFund payouts here.

12. Create a Budget

Start with a simple budget outlining expected income and expenses. This helps you plan and stay on track financially. Here’s our article on how to create a PTO budget.

13. Set Up a Way to Collect Dues and Donations

Some PTOs collect optional dues, others rely on donations. FutureFund lets you do both.

Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll be able to create different campaigns and display them on a custom online store. Use donation campaigns to collect funds for specific causes or projects, and run membership campaigns to collect dues.

You can also run A-Thon campaigns to collect pledges for fun runs and similar events, or purchase campaigns to sell products. Here’s an overview of all our different campaign types.

14. Create a PTO Website or Online Presence

You don’t need a full-blown website for your PTO—a Facebook group, school webpage, or FutureFund fundraising page is enough to get started.

FutureFund can act as your PTO’s online home, with fundraising features, volunteer management capabilities, and financial reporting tools—all in one spot. It also complies with all relevant data and privacy regulations in the US, which makes it more secure for schools than many other online platforms.

Start Engaging

15. Host Your First Meeting

This is your PTO’s big launch. Keep it friendly, short, and focused. Share your goals, explain how people can help, and invite feedback.

Tip: You can use FutureFund’s built-in messaging system to send invites, track RSVPs, follow up with meeting notes and more.

16. Recruit Volunteers

Be specific about what you need and when. “30 minutes handing out water bottles” is a lot more appealing than “help needed.”

Tip: FutureFund’s online sign-up forms make it easier for people to help by letting them select their volunteer preferences when they join. This means all of your PTO’s available volunteers are already organized by availability and interest when you need help with a project.

17. Plan Your First Fundraiser

Pick something manageable for your first event—like a fun run, spirit wear sale, or family night. Keep it fun and focus on participation, not perfection.

Tip: Need fundraiser ideas? We’ve got plenty. Check out our Ultimate List of 150+ School Fundraisers here.

Keep It Going

18. Communicate Regularly

Keep your school community in the loop with short updates, newsletters, or posts. Celebrate wins, thank volunteers, and keep things positive.

19. Stay Organized

Try to centralize your documents, contacts, and fundraising details. Staying organized builds trust and makes leadership transitions smoother. FutureFund makes it easy to keep everything in one place—campaign summaries, forms, volunteer lists, and payment histories.

20. Reflect & Adjust

At the end of the year (or each event), talk about what worked and what didn’t. Get feedback and make small changes to improve each time.

You’re On Your Way to PTO Success—& FutureFund Can Help

Starting a PTO is a big step—but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do for your school. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need the right people, a clear mission, and resources that make the work easier.

FutureFund is here to help with that last part.

Get started here and see how FutureFund can support your PTO.

Frequently Asked Questions about PTOs

How is a PTO different from a PTA?

A PTO is independent, meaning you make your own rules and keep 100% of the money you raise. A PTA is part of a national organization and follows their rules, including paying yearly dues.

Do I need to register my PTO as a nonprofit?

Not always—but it’s a good idea if you’re planning to fundraise. It makes your PTO eligible for tax-deductible donations and helps you stay transparent with parents.

What officer roles do I need to start a PTO?

At minimum: President, Treasurer, and Secretary. A Vice President and Communications Lead are also helpful as your group grows.

How hard is it to get started with FutureFund?

Not hard at all. Most PTOs are up and running in a day or two. The platform is designed to be super user-friendly, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Can I use FutureFund even if we’re a brand-new PTO?

Absolutely. In fact, starting with FutureFund from day one makes everything easier—from collecting dues to planning your first fundraiser.

What fundraisers work best for new PTOs?

Simple, fun ones: bake sales, jog-a-thons, spirit wear, and restaurant nights. FutureFund includes features that help you plan, launch, and manage all of them in one place.