How to Save Money in Postage

When preparing for a large postcard mail out, postage is one of your highest expenses. You can literally save thousands of dollars in postage by getting your Nonprofit Bulk Mail Permit and choosing to saturate carrier routes. When you saturate a carrier route you are sending a mail piece to every address on the mail carrier’s route.

When choosing a mail service to prepare your direct mail piece for mailing, make sure that they purchase saturation lists. Some mailing services will mark up the price of postage. If so, ask if you can deliver the mailing to the post office yourself to get the lowest postage rate possible.

Step 1: Apply for Nonprofit Status with the USPS

Go to www.usps.com and complete Form 3624 “Application to Mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates.” Mail the completed form to the post office in your city where you are applying. You must already be incorporated as a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Corporation with the U.S. government. This process takes between 1 to 2 weeks.

Step 2: Apply for a Nonprofit Bulk Mail Permit

Once you have been approved to mail as a nonprofit organization with the USPS (step 1), go to www.usps.com and complete Form 3615 “Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile.” There is a one-time $150.00 processing fee and a $150.00 annual fee. This process takes between 1 to 2 additional weeks.

Step 3: Postage Statement

Go to www.usps.com and complete Form 3602-N. In section C, under DSCF, line c-15, it shows you the rate of $.069 for mailing flats with a nonprofit bulk rate permit and mailing to saturate carrier routes. If you drop the mail pieces at their individual post offices, the rate goes down to $.063.

Refer to the USPS website or contact your Postmaster for more information on mailing requirements.