What Does Dead Chickens Mean for NPOs?

(Photo Credit: NY Times)

Dead chickens, yes dead chickens have taken over the headlines, however, the more interesting detail is how the USPS plays a role in the demise of not just the death of these chicken but crickets and other animals. While I can’t say it’s the sole fault of the USPS the new cutbacks in staffing and equipment certainly has assisted in what is becoming one of the craziest eras in USPS history.

In order to understand we must start with the pandemic. USPS was hit hard as COVID-19 rocks the country resulting in a decrease in business mail. This loss in income led to them requesting a bailout from the Feds of $89 billion which right now seems unlikely as the sitting President, as well as, the Republican Party feel that the USPS, to quote the President, “is a joke”and has passed its prime. They feel the nation would benefit more from using independent delivery services, a costly and inconvenient model for most Americans especially the elderly and those living in rural places.

The Postmaster General Louis Dejoy, also a Republican who has fundraised for Trump during his campaign, has assured that any further changes would be stayed until after the election as many in the nation have come to fear the suppression of their vote in the upcoming election. Leaving many with a theory of Dejoy being in cahoots with the President to steal the election by removing mailboxes, mail sorting machines and cutting staff. USPS facilities in California are reporting packages of dead animals, rotten food, insects and buildings overrun with rodents. This is   pre-election!!!

In all this chaos I can’t help but to wonder what this further means for nonprofits. Slowed mail also means slowed donations, or at this rate no donations, for many organizations that are already struggling through the pandemic.

While an uptick of the pandemic during flu-season is already a whispered fear, the idea of less to no donations arriving at the most generous time of the year for us fundraisers is horrifying. Sure we could focus on online but where are the minds of Americans at a time like this? Nonprofit donations are historically known to take a hit during election years, coupled with the concern of a pandemic and voter suppression, nonprofits will have to really step up the engagement and perpetual hope this year.