Ready to fire up a fund-raising campaign for your Sowers charity … but uncertain where to begin? Has the person who ran the prior outreach retired or left? Or, you’re just short on employees and long on work?
You need a turnkey mailing service that knows how direct mail for charities functions. Put differently, you need Bresser’s Information Services, a mail service provider (MSP) that does the logistical limbo) for your Sowers direct mail fund-raising.
Using direct mail for {non-profit fund-raising can be mysterious, and ripe for mistakes. How do non-profit postage rates work? Which types of operations are eligible? Can any materials be mailed, or only certain 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 serious savings on postage … as long as you adhere to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services knows them completely, and is prepared to help.
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. Put differently, don’t try to ride the non-profit status of another Sowers organization. It won’t fly. Authorized organizations are prohibited from sharing their mailing privilege. Get 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 make the difference in a decision returning in days, versus weeks.
Is your Sowers organization eligible? Most likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The classifications 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 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 donate to certain causes. Polish 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 fund-raising materials. We understand the rules, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to start your next Sowers 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.