A Small Postal Change That Could Affect Your Donation to the Forest Landowners Foundation
As the end of the year approaches, many supporters choose to mail charitable donations to the Forest Landowners Foundation. This year, however, a change in U.S. Postal Service procedures makes timing more important than ever.
Starting December 24, USPS will no longer apply most postmarks at local post offices or neighborhood mail drop boxes. Instead, postmarks will typically be applied by machines at regional distribution facilities, sometimes days after the mail is initially sent.
Why This Matters for Foundation Donations
For tax purposes, the IRS relies on the postmark date to determine when a mailed charitable contribution is considered made. The date you write the check—or even the day you place it in the mail—is not what matters.
Because of the new USPS process, a donation mailed on December 31 could be transported to a processing center and postmarked in January. If that happens, the contribution would be treated as a 2026 donation, even though it was mailed before the end of 2025.
This timing shift is unintentional, but it could affect donors who are carefully planning their year-end giving and tax deductions.
How to Make Sure Your Gift Counts as Intended
If you plan to support the Forest Landowners Foundation by mail, consider one of the following options:
- Mail early
Sending your donation well before the end of December reduces the risk of processing delays. - Ask for a manual postmark
A postal clerk can manually postmark your envelope at the counter, clearly documenting the mailing date. - Purchase postage directly at the post office
This creates a transaction record tied to your mailing date. - Donate online for immediate confirmation
Online gifts are recorded instantly and remove any uncertainty related to postmarks. Secure online donations can be made at SupportFLF.org.
Supporting the Foundation—Without the Guesswork
Your support of the Forest Landowners Foundation helps invest in the next generation of forestry, tell the story of private forest landowners, and provide tools that help landowners succeed. With this small change in postal procedures, taking a little extra care now can ensure your generosity is recognized in the tax year you intend.
If you have questions about donation timing or giving options, our team is always happy to assist.