Can we allow other organizations to use our nonprofit mailing permit?
Summary:
Only if the other organizations are also authorized to mail at nonprofit rates.
Answer:
Someone asked in Nonprofit (see http://www.rain.org/mailman/listinfo/nonprofit) on August 10, 2005:
Does anyone know what the rules are for allowing other orgs to use your nonprofit mailing permit number?
Donald A. Griesmann, Esq., responded with this advice and these links:
I think the answer is that it can't be done. Based on the material at the USPS web site, only the group with the approval can use the permit. Exempt organizations may use a Mail Service Provider but there appears to be no permission for an EO to be a Mail Service Provider for a nonexempt organization.
Take a look at:
- USPS Home Page
- http://www.usps.com/
- USPS Publication 417 – Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility
- http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub417/welcome.htm
Explains and discusses eligibility for Nonprofit Standard Mail rates, application procedure, and mailing requirements.
- Postage Statement
- http://www.usps.com/forms/_pdf/ps3602n.pdf
- Quick Service Guide 670 Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility
- - http://pe.usps.com/text/qsg/q670.htm
States in various sections
- "Name and return address on outside of mailpiece must be that of the authorized organization; pseudonyms or bogus names of persons or organizations prohibited (E670.6 <http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm/e670.htm#Rdb33275> ). All matter mailed at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates must identify the authorized organization. The authorized organization's name and return address must appear in at least one of two places: on the outside of the mailpiece or in a prominent place on the material mailed."
- "All matter mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates must identify the authorized nonprofit organization. The name and return address of the authorized nonprofit organization must be either on the outside of the mailpiece or in a prominent location on the material being mailed. Pseudonyms or bogus names of persons or organizations may not be used. If the piece bears any name and return address, it must be that of the authorized nonprofit organization. A well-recognized alternative designation (e.g., “The March of Dimes”) or abbreviation (e.g., “AFL-CIO”) may be used rather than the full organization name."
- "Cooperative mailings: mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates only if each cooperating organization is individually authorized to mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates where the mailing is deposited."
- "An authorized organization can mail only its own mail."
- Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility
- http://pe.usps.com/text/pub417/welcome.htm
- Additional Information
- http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm200/additional.htm
- USPS Forms including NPOs
- http://www.usps.com/forms/standardmail.htm
Note: I am required to tell you that I am a licensed attorney in New Jersey. It is my understanding you are not seeking legal advice. It is not my intent to provide you with legal advice. We are not entering a lawyer-client relationship. I may have given you legal information but I have not given you legal advice. --Donald A. Griesmann, Esq.
Posted 8/10/05 -- PB
