Aiming to start up a fund-raising effort for your Greendale charity … but unsure where to begin? Maybe the professional who ran the prior outreach retired or exited? Or, you’re just short on employees and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that understands how direct mail for non-profits functions. Put differently, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the charity fund-raising can be intimidating, and ripe for pitfalls. 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 sent as USPS Marketing Mail®, by organizations authorized by the Postal Service™, at substantially reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can realize tremendous savings on postage … as long as you stick to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them completely, and is ready to help.
Remember, nothing that has to be sent via First Class Mail® qualifies 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 classify 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 fly. 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 ready to show proof that your organization is a legal non-profit. Fill out the form completely. Doing so can make 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 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,” though. We don’t stop at readying your mail for the greatest 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 donate to certain causes. Clean 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 materials. We understand the rules, the rates, and how to get your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to initiate your next Greendale 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.