Many nonprofits use the U.S. Postal Service to raise funds, communicate their causes, and send newsletters and magazines to subscribers. In fact, nonprofits currently generate one-tenth of all US Mail. We all are aware that the USPS has been going through painful adjustments to lower mail volume and higher costs. These adjustments have led to a bias toward trying to raise postage rates above the rate of inflation and to lower service standards.
Big changes are coming that nonprofit mailers should be aware of and involved in shaping. Legislation to “reform” the Postal Service is making its way through both houses of Congress. The Postal Regulatory Commission will soon begin a major review of the postal pricing regulatory system and possibly make significant changes. The executive director of the national coalition of nonprofit mailers will present what has been happening and what to expect in the near future. More important, there will be great opportunities for nonprofits to make their voices heard as our postal system is re-shaped.
