Nonprofit bulk mail: 2026 rates and how to qualify
Approved nonprofits mail for less than half the regular bulk price. Here is what the nonprofit rate is in 2026, who qualifies, how to apply, what you can and can't mail, and what a real mailing costs.
The short answer
- Nonprofit bulk mail starts at 18.5¢ a piece, against 39.5¢ at the regular price.
- Religious, educational, charitable and a few other kinds of organizations qualify, once USPS approves them.
- You apply with PS Form 3624 at the post office where you will mail. It usually takes about two weeks.
- The mail must be your own, and some kinds of ads, such as insurance and travel, are not allowed.
- A mailing of 5,000 postcards to your donor list costs about $1,886 with us, against $2,967 at regular prices.
Nonprofit bulk mail rates for 2026
These are the USPS Marketing Mail prices for letters and postcards up to 6.125 × 11.5 inches, such as our 6 × 11 postcard. Bigger pieces are flats and cost more.
| How the mail sorts | Nonprofit price | Regular price |
|---|---|---|
| 5-digit (a local list) | 18.5¢ | 39.5¢ |
| 3-digit | 22.5¢ | 43.5¢ |
| Mixed (spread far apart) | 25.7¢ | 46.7¢ |
USPS prices for automation letters since July 12, 2026 (July 2026 price list). A mailing needs at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds. See bulk mail rates for every class of mail.
Who qualifies for nonprofit postage
The organization must be nonprofit and set up mainly for one of these purposes (USPS Publication 417):
- Religious: churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and groups that support them
- Educational: schools, colleges and groups that hold public lectures or classes
- Philanthropic (charitable): groups that serve the public, such as food banks and shelters
- Scientific, agricultural, labor, veterans and fraternal organizations
- Qualified political committees, such as national and state party committees
- Voting registration officials, for voter registration mail
Business leagues, chambers of commerce, social clubs, trade associations and candidate campaigns do not qualify, even when they are tax-exempt.
How to apply, step by step
- Fill in PS Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices. There is no fee to apply.
- Attach your papers: the documents that set up the organization, such as articles of incorporation or bylaws, and proof of nonprofit status, such as your IRS exemption letter. USPS does not accept internal financial statements.
- Take it to the post office where you plan to mail, and ask for a date-stamped copy (USPS).
- Wait for approval. The review normally takes about two weeks when the paperwork is complete.
- Mail at least once every two years. USPS cancels an authorization that goes unused for two years.
While the application is pending, you pay regular prices. To get the difference back once you are approved, USPS says you must arrange it with the postmaster before you mail, so ask about that first if you can't wait.
Your authorization belongs to a post office. If your mail house enters mail at a different office, you add that office with a short request. We help with this when you mail with us.
What you can and can't mail
Approval covers the organization, but each mailing must also fit the rules:
- It must be your own mail. USPS restricts nonprofit prices to the authorized organization's own mail. You can't lend your authorization to a business or mail jointly with one.
- Some ads are not allowed: credit cards, insurance and travel, with narrow exceptions.
- Products you offer must be donated, low cost or related to your purpose. A catalog of unrelated products does not qualify.
Appeals for donations, event invitations, newsletters, member renewals and program news are the usual nonprofit mailings, and they all fit. If a piece breaks a rule, USPS charges the regular price for that mailing, so check unusual pieces before you print.
What a nonprofit mailing costs
Here is one mailing of 5,000 6 × 11 postcards to your own donor list, at our 2026 prices:
| Nonprofit prices | Regular prices | |
|---|---|---|
| Printing (color both sides) | $683 | $683 |
| Addressing and mail processing | $250 | $250 |
| USPS postage | $953 | $2,034 |
| Total | $1,886 | $2,967 |
| Per card | Starting from 38¢ | Starting from 59¢ |
Postage is the USPS 5-digit rate for a local list plus a 3% card fee. Letters in envelopes are quoted by job. Need addresses too? A mailing list adds 15¢ an address.
Do you need your own bulk mail permit?
Nonprofit authorization and a bulk mail permit are two different things. The authorization gives you the lower prices. The permit lets you pay postage with a printed indicia instead of stamps, and it comes with a yearly fee. When we mail for you, your mail goes out under our permit at your nonprofit prices, so you don't need a permit of your own.
Tips for nonprofit mailings
- Mail your own donors first. Mail to people who already know you gets the best response. See direct mail response rates.
- Plan around the giving season. Year-end appeals should be in mailboxes by early December.
- Allow time. Marketing Mail usually arrives in 2 to 6 days, so mail at least a week before the date you need.
- One clear ask. A large card with one story, one number and a QR code to your donation page is easy to act on. See direct mail design.
We print and mail for nonprofits, schools, churches and community groups: see our bulk mailing services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nonprofit bulk mail rate in 2026?
Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail letters and cards up to 6.125 × 11.5 inches are 18.5¢ to 25.7¢ a piece, depending on how finely the mail sorts. The regular Marketing Mail price is 39.5¢ to 46.7¢. These prices took effect July 12, 2026.
Does a 501(c)(3) automatically get nonprofit postage?
No. Tax-exempt status is part of the proof, but USPS approves nonprofit prices separately. The organization applies with PS Form 3624, and USPS also checks that it fits one of its categories, such as religious, educational or charitable.
How long does nonprofit approval take?
USPS says the review normally takes about two weeks when the paperwork is complete. It takes longer if USPS asks for more documents, so apply well before your first mailing.
Can a political campaign use nonprofit postage?
Only qualified political committees, such as the national and state committees of a political party and certain congressional committees, can. Candidate campaigns and most other political groups pay regular prices.
Can a mail house mail at nonprofit prices for us?
Yes. A mail house can print and mail for you at your nonprofit prices if you are authorized, the mail is your own, and the mail house is paid for its work, not a share of what the mailing raises.