Prepared to start up a donation effort for your King County charity … but uncertain where to begin? Has the staffer who supervised the last outreach retired or exited? Or, you’re just low on staff and long on work?
You want 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 heavy lifting fund-raising can be ambiguous, and ripe for mistakes. 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 substantially reduced non-profit postage rates.
You can reap sizable savings on postage … as long as you adhere to the rules. Bresser’s Information Services knows them inside and out, and is ready to assist.
Remember, nothing that requires sending via First Class Mail® qualifies for non-profit rates. The rules are well defined. 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 qualify 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 jump onto the non-profit status of another King 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 prepared to show documentation 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 King County organization eligible? Very likely, as long as your due diligence is complete. The classifications of organizations eligible for Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail® costs are many: 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,” though. We don’t stop at readying 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 certain 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 fund-raising mailers. We understand the regulations, the rates, and how to land your fund-raising outreach in the right hands.
Contact us to launch your next King County fund-raising campaign. We’re a mail house, for sure – one dedicated to keeping your non-profit house strong, vibrant, and doing good work in the community.