Nonprofit Standard Mail – Do You Qualify?

Nonprofit Standard Mail rates offer about a 40% savings over regular Standard rate postage.  But do you qualify for these rates?

In 1951 Congress created an exception for nonprofit organizations to mail at reduced rates for what was then called third-class mail.  In 1978 Congress authorized Standard Mail rates for Qualified Political Committees (QPCs).  Those committees consisted of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee; a national committee of a political party, and finally, a state committee of a political campaign committee.  No such eligibility was authorized for other committees such as local committees of a political party or candidate committees.

As part of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, voting registration officials were added to the list of those eligible to use the Nonprofit Standard Mail rate.

It is important to note that Congress, not the Postal Service, designates the types of organizations eligible to be authorized to mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.

You must obtain authorization to mail Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.  Complete PS Form 3624, which is available online at www.usps.com (click All Products & Services, then Forms & Publications), or at any post office.  You will be required to submit supporting documentation such as formative papers, articles of incorporation, constitution or charter, trust indenture, etc.  Your local Postmaster or Business Mail Entry manager can help answer questions about completing the form and documentation.

Aside from Qualified Political Committees and Voter Registration Officials, who else is eligible for these rates?

• Religious
• Educational
• Scientific
• Philanthropic
• Agricultural
• Labor
• Veterans
• Fraternal

Who is ineligible?

These and similar organizations do not qualify for the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices, even if organized on a nonprofit basis:

• Automobile clubs.
• Business leagues.
• Chambers of commerce.
• Citizens’ and civic improvement associations.
• Individuals.
• Mutual insurance associations.
• Political organizations (other than those specified above).
• Service clubs (e.g., Civilian, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, and Rotary).
• Social and hobby clubs.
• Associations of rural electric cooperatives.
• Trade associations.
• Government – State, county, and municipal governments are generally not eligible for the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices. However, a separate and distinct state, county, or municipal governmental organization that meets the criteria for any one of the specific categories listed in the eligible column may be eligible, notwithstanding its governmental status.

You can learn more about Nonprofit Standard Rate mailings, including eligibility standards, meeting requirements and matter that can or cannot be mailed at these special rates here:  http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/703.htm

All the requirements, paperwork and authorization may seem daunting, but if you qualify for Nonprofit Standard Mail rates, take advantage of that savings today!