Postal Explorer > Publication 417 - Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility > 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

1-1 Background

Reduced rates of Standard Mail® postage are available for eligible organizations that the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) has authorized and whose individual mailings meet the specific eligibility rules that apply to Nonprofit Standard Mail.

The U.S. Congress authorized these reduced rates in 1951 and determined the categories of organizations eligible for the rates (see 2-2). Subsequent legislation extended the privileges to other categories and added restrictions on what material may be mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail (nonprofit) rates.