Planning to start up a donation effort for your Greenacres non-profit organization … but not sure where to begin? Perhaps the staffer who directed the previous outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just short on help and long on work?
You want a turnkey mailing service that grasps how direct mail for charities functions. Simply put, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the charity fund-raising can be daunting, and ripe for errors. How do non-profit postage rates work? 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 reap tremendous savings on postage … as long as you follow the rules. Bresser’s Information Services understands them completely, and is prepared to help.
Remember, nothing that requires sending via First Class Mail® qualifies for non-profit rates. The rules are clearly laid out. 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 qualify 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 Greenacres organization. It won’t fly. 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 ready 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 Greenacres organization eligible? Very likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The categories of organizations eligible 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 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,” however. We don’t stop at preparing your mail for the largest 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 support certain causes. Clean up your list, deleting 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 fund-raising materials. We understand the rules, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to initiate your next Greenacres 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.