Can a parent donate money to the PTA to buy needed supplies (equipment such as computers, books, etc.) for the school?
The purchasing of school supplies is considered the responsibility of the school system. Any individual can contribute to the school system (according to the local board of education’s policies), but school money and PTA money should never mix in an account. Doing so would turn PTA treasuries into “slush funds” for the school system. These are illegal activities. People most certainly can make PTA donations, since PTAs are a nonprofit organization. However, gift givers cannot tell the PTA what to do with the money. If a donor wants to be certain that his or her money is going to be used for a specific purpose, that donor can make his or her wish known and then leave it up to the PTA to decide whether or not to accept the donation. It is up to the board and the PTA members to decide if the gift furthers the goals of the organization. The board must act in the best interest of the organization and must let the PTA Mission and Objects guide their decision-making, as well as IRS rules and
