Planning to initiate a fund-raising effort for your Dallas County non-profit … but not sure where to begin? Has the person who oversaw the last outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just short on staff and long on tasks to be done?
You want a turnkey mailing service that comprehends how direct mail for charities operates. Simply put, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the hard work fund-raising can be ambiguous, and ripe for errors. How do non-profit postage rates work? Which types of organizations qualify? Can any materials be mailed, or only specific types?
First, a definition. Non-profit mail is printed material eligible to be sent as USPS Marketing Mail®, by organizations authorized by the Postal Service™, at considerably reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can glean sizable savings on postage … as long as you obey the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them intimately, and is ready to assist.
Remember, nothing that has to be sent via First Class Mail® qualifies for non-profit rates. The rules are well defined. 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 classify 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 Dallas County organization. It won’t work. Authorized organizations are prohibited from sharing their mailing privilege. Obtain 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 Dallas County organization eligible? Most likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The classifications of organizations approved for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® prices are lengthy: philanthropic, religious, educational, veterans, scientific, labor, fraternal, political … the list goes on.
Got your non-profit authorization? Great. Let’s get to work. 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 dropping 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 give to specific 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 donation campaign materials. We understand the rules, the rates, and how to get your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to start your next Dallas County fund-raising campaign. We’re a mail house, for sure – one focused on keeping your non-profit house strong, vibrant, and doing good work in the community.