The Nonprofit FAQ

What are Options for Nonprofit Mailing

Jim Costello wrote on August 22, 1995:

I talked with our local post office bulk mail dept. and found out the
following which I will post on AOL:

Re: NP bulk mail rates and your nonprofit newsletter.

Certain restrictions on the type of advertising which may be carried in
non-profit rate mail materials will become effective on October 1, 1995.
Special third-class postage rates will also increase the same day.

Non-profit organizations can keep their current NP bulk mail rate and be
EXEMPT from the rules which require advertising to be "substantially
related" to the purpose of their organization IF they do the following
which would classify their newsletters as an exempt "periodical
publication":

1. Have a title on the front page.

2. Mail in the form of printed sheets.

3. Contain at least 25 percent non-advertising.

4. Have an "identification statement" printed within the first 5 pages.

5. A title.

6. Legal name and "physical address" (PO Box address does not count) of
organization.

7. Statement of frequency issue (weekly, monthly, etc.).

8. Subscription price "if" there is one (probably would not apply to a
non-profit).

9. Issue date (may be on title page).

10. Issue number, consecutively assigned (may be on title page).

11. Mailer must show the international Standard Serial No (SSN), if the
organization has one.

Items 5, 6, 7, 8, must appear in the "identification statement" noted in
item number 4. Items 10 and 11, if they apply to the organization, may
appear elsewhere.

You should take a copy of your organization's newsletter to your local
post office bulk mail office BEFORE you print and mail in October, or
you may find yourself out considerable time and money.

Other restrictions regarding advertising already in effect for
non-profit mailings continue if you still want the special third class
bulk rates, such as prohibitions against:

1. Insurance policy advertisements.

2. Travel arrangement advertisements.

3. Credit/debit card offers to members of the mailing organization.

There is a national organization concerned with these sorts of
questions. It is:



The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers

2001 S Street, NW, Suite 301,

Washington, DC 20009-1125

ph. (202) 462-5132

http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/

URL for the Alliance added 2/7/99 -- PB