Aiming to launch a donation campaign for your New YorkManhattan County charity … but uncertain where to begin? Perhaps the team member who ran the last outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just short on employees and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that understands how direct mail for charities operates. In other words, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the heavy lifting fund-raising can be intimidating, and ripe for errors. How do non-profit postage rates work? Which types of organizations are eligible? Can any materials be mailed, or only certain 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 substantially reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can reap sizable savings on postage … as long as you stick to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them completely, and is prepared to assist.
Remember, nothing that requires sending 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 be eligible 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 jump onto the non-profit status of another New YorkManhattan County organization. It won’t work. Authorized organizations are barred 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 documentation 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 New YorkManhattan County organization eligible? Probably, as long as your due diligence is complete. The categories of organizations approved for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® costs are lengthy: 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 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 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 mailers. We understand the regulations, the rates, and how to get your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to launch your next New YorkManhattan County 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.