Prepared to fire up a fund-raising campaign for your Dallas County charity … but uncertain where to start? Has the staffer who directed the previous outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just low on workers and long on tasks to be done?
You need a turnkey mailing service that understands how direct mail for non-profits works. Simply put, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the heavy lifting fund-raising can be ambiguous, and ripe for pitfalls. How do non-profit postage rates function? Which types of organizations qualify? 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 significantly reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can reap momentous savings on postage … as long as you obey the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them intimately, and is prepared 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 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 utilize the non-profit status of another Dallas County organization. It won’t fly. Authorized organizations are barred 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 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 Dallas County organization eligible? Probably, as long as your due diligence is complete. The classifications of organizations eligible for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® rates 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 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 give to certain causes. Polish up your list, removing vacant and duplicate addresses. Find new addresses for recipients who have relocated.
Since its founding in 1946, Bresser’s Information Services has printed, addressed and mailed millions of donation campaign pieces. We know the rules, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to launch your next Dallas 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.