Prepared to fire up a fund-raising effort for your Islandia charity … but unsure where to start? Maybe the professional who oversaw the last outreach retired or exited? Or, you’re just low on staff and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that knows 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 uncertain, and ripe for errors. How do non-profit postage rates operate? 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 mailed as USPS Marketing Mail®, by organizations authorized by the Postal Service™, at considerably reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can glean tremendous savings on postage … as long as you stick to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services knows them completely, and is prepared to assist.
Remember, nothing that requires sending 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 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 piggyback on the non-profit status of another Islandia 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 completely. Doing so can make the difference in a decision returning in days, versus weeks.
Is your Islandia organization eligible? Most likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The classifications of organizations approved for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® rates 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,” though. We don’t stop at preparing your mail for the greatest 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 support 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 know the rules, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to launch your next Islandia fund-raising effort. We’re a mail house, for sure – one dedicated to keeping your non-profit house strong, vibrant, and doing good work in the community.