Ready to fire up a fund-raising campaign for your West Allis charity … but not sure where to begin? Has the team member who supervised the previous outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just low on employees and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that understands how direct mail for non-profits functions. 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 mistakes. 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 substantially reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can reap sizable savings on postage … as long as you obey the rules. Bresser’s Information Services knows them thoroughly, and is prepared to help.
Remember, nothing that has to be sent via First Class Mail® is eligible 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 be eligible 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 piggyback on the non-profit status of another West Allis organization. It won’t end well. 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 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 West Allis organization eligible? Most likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The categories of organizations eligible 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 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 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 specific 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 donation campaign mailers. We know the regulations, the rates, and how to get your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to start your next West Allis 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.