Your gifts, whether large or small, mailed checks or online donations, have helped sustain vibrant ministries that reflect Anabaptist values of service, justice, and community.
Important information for those who mail donation checks (especially at year-end)
A new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule took effect on December 24, 2025. Machine postmarks are now applied at regional processing centers rather than local post offices or drop-off points. This means there can be a delay — sometimes several days — between when you drop your envelope in the mail and when it receives an official postmark.
Under the IRS “mailbox rule,” a charitable contribution is considered made on the postmark date. So, a check mailed on December 31, 2025, could end up postmarked in January 2026, potentially shifting the tax deduction to the 2026 tax year.
If you’re planning future mailed gifts and want to ensure the deduction aligns with the mailing year, here are reliable options:
- Take your envelope to a USPS counter and hand it to a postal worker. Request a manual (hand-stamped) postmark — it’s free and shows the actual date of acceptance.
- Purchase postage at the counter for a Postage Validation Imprint (PVI), which includes the date.
- Use certified mail, registered mail, or a Certificate of Mailing for official dated proof.
The simplest way to avoid any uncertainty?
Donate online — your gift is timestamped instantly, securely, and counts for the year it’s made (right up to December 31 at 11:59 p.m.).
This small change is a reminder of how interconnected our systems are, but it doesn’t diminish the impact of your partnership. Whether through a mailed check postmarked in time, an online gift, or your ongoing prayers and encouragement, you’re helping advance God’s mission around the world.