Critics: Loosened Mail Rule Could Open Pandora's Box of Abuse

While the new rule received support and praise from some organizations, including the Direct Marketing Association’s Nonprofit Federation, for ultimately “allowing nonprofits to grow the potential pool of charitable donors while the general economy is still faltering,” groups such as the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, and even congressional leaders, have voiced cutting criticisms. The Alliance’s major contention is that smaller nonprofit organizations could potentially fall victim to unscrupulous, commercial fundraising firms.