Charities fear loss of donations with Canada Post changes

Some local charities are worried about higher costs and a loss of donor support in the wake of changes to Canada Post services.

The Crown corporation revealed on Wednesday that door-to-door delivery is being phased out over the next five years and the cost of a stamp is going up significantly next March.

For the Calgary Humane Society, an old-fashioned letter in the mail is remains the best way to reach potential donors, said general manager Ainsley Grant.

"It works because it’s a tangible piece of paper that people have, they see it, read the story, it tugs at something," she said.

But Grant said those mail-outs are going to cost the non-profit agency thousands of dollars more next year.

The society budgeted for a small increase in the price of stamps, not the up to 25 per cent that was just announced, Grant said.

"I was shocked, what huge hikes those are, and what a huge impact it has on our fundraising efforts," she said.

Lorie Abernathy, who heads the Association of Fundraising Professionals, said the time has come for non-profit groups to rethink their marketing and outreach strategies.

"How does direct mail fit in with social media and with their other ways of raising funds? I think they have to continue to do it and examine their budget to see how much money they're putting into that," she said.

Charities must keep in mind that donors don't want their money spent on administration — they want it to make a difference, Abernathy said.