Planning to initiate a fund-raising effort for your Sun City West non-profit … but unclear where to begin? Maybe the professional who ran the earlier outreach retired or departed? Or, you’re just short on help and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that knows how direct mail for charities functions. In other words, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the charity fund-raising can be daunting, and ripe for mistakes. How do non-profit postage rates function? Which types of operations are eligible? Can any materials be mailed, or only specific types?
First, a definition. Non-profit mail is printed material eligible to be mailed as USPS Marketing Mail®, by organizations authorized by the Postal Service™, at considerably reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can glean momentous savings on postage … as long as you obey the rules. Bresser’s Information Services knows them intimately, and is ready to assist.
Remember, nothing that requires sending via First Class Mail® qualifies for non-profit rates. The rules are clearly laid out. Unbendable. Don’t even try.
So, what can you send at non-profit rates? Self-mailers, letters, newsletters and booklets weighing less than 16 ounces can be eligible for USPS Marketing Mail®.
Only materials of authorized organizations, registered as non-profits with USPS, can be mailed at non-profit rates. Put differently, don’t try to ride the non-profit status of another Sun City West organization. It won’t work. Authorized organizations are prohibited from sharing their mailing privilege. Apply for your own.
How? Complete PS Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® Prices. Be prepared to show evidence that your organization is a legal non-profit. Fill out the form completely. Doing so can be the difference in a decision returning in days, versus weeks.
Is your Sun City West organization eligible? Probably, as long as your due diligence is complete. The categories of organizations approved for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® rates are many: philanthropic, religious, educational, veterans, scientific, labor, fraternal, political … the list goes on.
Got your non-profit authorization? Great. Let’s get down to business. Bresser’s Information Services will mail on your organization’s behalf, using our mailing permit.
There’s a reason our name includes “services,” though. We don’t stop at preparing your mail for the largest postage savings, and delivering it at the post office.
We provide advice on designing your mail piece. Print your materials in full color. Populate and expand your mailing list, using recipients known to support certain causes. Polish up your list, removing vacant and duplicate addresses. Find new addresses for recipients who have moved.
Since its founding in 1946, Bresser’s Information Services has printed, addressed and mailed millions of fund-raising materials. We understand the rules, the rates, and how to get your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to launch your next Sun City West fund-raising campaign. We’re a mail house, for sure – one dedicated to keeping your non-profit house strong, vibrant, and doing good work in the community.