Postal Explorer > Publication 417 - Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility > 5 Cooperative Mailings

5 Cooperative Mailings

5-1 Overview

The cooperative mail rule applies to all mail entered as Nonprofit Standard Mail, with the exception of certain fundraising mailings. The scope of this exception is discussed in 5-2.

A cooperative mailing is a mailing produced by an authorized organization that "cooperates" with one or more organizations to share the cost, risk, or benefit of the mailing. Cooperative mailings may not be entered at the Nonprofit Standard Mail (nonprofit) rates unless all cooperating organizations are authorized to mail at these rates at the Post Office of mailing.

Furthermore, the cooperative mail rule prevents authorized organizations from sharing their authorizations with others who are not authorized. The rule restricts Nonprofit Standard Mail mailings to the authorized organizations' own mail.