Summary

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information regarding the nature and volume of eight religious organizations' special bulk-third-class nonprofit mailings during March and April 1988.

GAO found that: (1) 3 of the 12 post offices the religious organizations frequently used received no mail from them during the sampling period from March through April 1988; (2) mailings included solicitations for contributions, advertisements, subscription renewals, religious merchandise and publications, and notices of events; and (3) the eight organizations sent a total of 16.26 million pieces of mail during the 2-month period, with one sending about 8.25 million pieces.