Seeking to fire up a fund-raising campaign for your Greendale charity … but unclear where to begin? Maybe the staffer who ran the earlier outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just short on help and long on tasks to be done?
You need a turnkey mailing service that comprehends how direct mail for non-profits functions. In other words, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the hard work fund-raising can be ambiguous, and ripe for slip-ups. How do non-profit postage rates work? Which types of organizations 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 significantly reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can glean momentous savings on postage … as long as you stick to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them intimately, and is prepared to assist.
Remember, nothing that requires sending via First Class Mail® is eligible for non-profit rates. The rules are strict. Unbendable. Don’t even try.
So, what can you mail at non-profit rates? Self-mailers, letters, newsletters and booklets weighing less than 16 ounces can qualify for USPS Marketing Mail®.
Only materials of authorized organizations, registered as non-profits with USPS, can be mailed at non-profit rates. Stated otherwise, don’t try to ride the non-profit status of another Greendale organization. It won’t end well. Authorized organizations are barred from sharing their mailing privilege. Get 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 entirely. Doing so can be the difference in a decision returning in days, versus weeks.
Is your Greendale organization eligible? Probably, as long as your due diligence is complete. The categories of organizations approved for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® prices 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,” however. We don’t stop at readying 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 specific causes. Polish up your list, deleting 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 pieces. We know the rules, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to initiate your next Greendale fund-raising effort. We’re a mail house, for sure – one focused on keeping your non-profit house strong, vibrant, and doing good work in the community.