The sales period for the three semipostals has varied. Semipostals Have Collectively Raised Over $68 Million, but the Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Has Raised the Most

As of June 30, 2007, more than $68 million has been raised through the sale  of semipostals. Also, based on our discussions with  various agencies, organizations, advocacy groups, and fund-raising  experts, we identified a number of factors that affected semipostal sales,  including public awareness, stamp design, and confusion about how the  proceeds will be used. Breast Cancer Research Stamp

The Breast Cancer Research stamp has raised about $54.6 million, which  dwarfs the funds raised by the other semipostals. 1). Several factors affected Breast Cancer Research stamp sales to date. From the stamp sales, the Service transferred about $10.6 million to  FEMA for distribution to the families of emergency relief personnel who  were either killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of duty  in connection with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 2). Designated Agencies Have Distributed Semipostal Proceeds, but Only DOD and ACF Have Reported Their Use of the Proceeds to Congress

All of the designated federal agencies have distributed proceeds from the  sale of semipostals to their respective causes. ACF Uses Stop Family Violence Stamp Proceeds for Grant Program

ACF is using the proceeds from the Stop Family Violence stamp to fund a  discretionary grant program called Demonstration of Enhanced Services  to Children and Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence that  supports children who have been exposed to domestic violence. FEMA Recently Distributed Proceeds from Heroes of 2001 Stamp

FEMA has received over $10.5 million from Heroes of 2001 stamp  proceeds for distribution to the families of emergency relief personnel  who were either killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of  duty in connection with the terrorist attacks against the United States on  September 11, 2001. Some Agencies Report on Use of Stamp Proceeds

In our 2005 report, we recommended that the designated agencies issue  reports to Congress on their use of semipostal proceeds. NIH does not have any plans to report to Congress on its  use of proceeds from the Breast Cancer Research stamp, but NIH officials  noted that information on the breast cancer stamp is available to the  public on its website and, occasionally, through the NCI newsletter. However, NIH’s website did not provide detailed information on the  amount of proceeds received to date, how the proceeds were used and any  related accomplishments resulting from the use of these proceeds. Postal Service  (Service) provided to us. The four designated federal  agencies are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of  Defense (DOD) for the Breast Cancer Research semipostal; the  Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Heroes of 2001  semipostal; and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within  the Department of Health and Human Services for the Stop Family  Violence semipostal.
Why GAO Did This Study

As required by Congress, the U.S. Postal Service (Service) has issued three fundraising stamps--also called semipostals--which are sold at a higher price than First-Class stamps, with the difference distributed to designated federal agencies for specific causes. The proceeds from the three stamps are to fund breast cancer research, assistance to families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in the terrorist attacks of September 11, and services to children exposed to domestic violence. Of the three stamps, the Breast Cancer Research stamp is the only semipostal currently being sold. GAO has issued three prior reports on semipostals. To provide Congress updated information, GAO examined (1) the amount of money that has been raised through the sale of semipostals, and (2) how the designated federal agencies have used the proceeds and reported the results.

What GAO Found

As of June 2007, more than$68 million has been raised through semipostal sales. Of the three semipostals, the Breast Cancer Research stamp had proceeds totaling approximately $54.6 million, the Heroes of 2001 stamp had proceeds totaling about $10.6 million, and the Stop Family Violence stamp had proceeds totaling about $3.2 million. The authorized sale period for each semipostal affected the funds raised. In discussions with relevant agencies, advocacy groups and fund-raising organizations, several factors were identified that affected semipostal sales. These factors include public awareness about the charitable cause that a stamp represents, the stamp's design, and confusion about how the proceeds will be used. All four of the designated federal agencies have distributed proceeds from their respective semipostals. Both the Department of Defense (DOD) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) continue to award grants and fund programs for research with proceeds from the Breast Cancer Research stamp, and have added new programs to distribute the proceeds. The Administration for Children (ACF) within Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) used the proceeds from the Stop Family Violence stamp to award nine grants to programs that support children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) recently distributed the last of the proceeds from the Heroes of 2001 stamp to the families of emergency relief personnel who were either killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In September 2005, GAO recommended that the designated federal agencies annually report to Congress on their use of semipostal proceeds. DOD and ACF have submitted reports to Congress, and FEMA plans to report in the near future. NIH does not plan to prepare a report for Congress, but offers information on NIH's use of Breast Cancer Research stamp proceeds on its public website. But, NIH's website did not provide detailed information on proceeds received, how proceeds were used and related achievements.