DIY Graphic Design Tools and Resources for Non-Profits

Written by Marin Hudson

June 24, 2024

Marin is a community-minded designer who finds joy in all things creative, and in connecting and supporting others. From designing an annual report to crafting the perfect pizza, she thrives in collaborating with a team to make ideas come to life.

Sometimes we create branded graphics and assets for our clients, and sometimes we focus on strategy development and our clients have the capacity and skills to create designs in-house. Today, non-profits can leverage many user-friendly design tools, making design more accessible to their teams than ever. Here’s a list of tools and resources that non-profit staff can use to keep their graphics on-brand and visuals impactful. Happy designing! 

1. Canva

Some graphic designers hate on Canva, and don’t get us wrong, it has some limitations. But with a little bit of design training, you can get so much quality work out of Canva, especially when it comes to social media graphics and posters. Be sure to check out Canva Design School if you or your staff are new to creating designs and don’t be afraid to rely on the templates as a guide (but don’t forget to tailor them for your organization!).

  • Features: Drag-and-drop design, templates, a wide range of stock images and graphic elements, and easy branding.
  • Best For: Social media graphics, presentations, posters, and flyers.
  • Pricing: As a non-profit, you can access the premium version of Canva for free by filling out a simple form: Canva for Non-profits.

2. Easel.ly

If you’re looking for a tool to help you visualize data and show your impact, Easelly is a great resource! 

  • Features: Simple infographic creation tool with templates.
  • Best For: Infographics and data visualizations.
  • Pricing: Affordable pricing.

3. Unsplash

You should never, and I mean never, use images from Google image search. And you can’t always find stock photos that feel relevant and impactful. Enter Unsplash. 

  • Features: High-quality, free-to-use images.
  • Best For: Finding beautiful photos for any type of project.
  • Pricing: Free, but there is a premium option to get access to even more quality images.

4. Noun Project

Noun Project is building a global visual language — one that allows you to communicate no matter who you are or where you are.

  • Features: A vast collection of icons and photos.
  • Best For: Icons for infographics, presentations, and web design.
  • Pricing: Basic icons are free with credit and you can pay for the premium icons you want ad-hoc or subscribe for regular access.

5. YouTube Channels

Check out the YouTube channels below — each offer a range of tutorials and tips that will help you learn how to create effective and visually appealing graphics: 

We’re big believers in learning new things! If you don’t know how to get a certain effect in Canva or other graphic design tools — someone has probably made a video on it. 

Remember, many graphic design tools offer pre-designed templates that can be customized to save time. Just ensure you update the templates with your brand’s colours and fonts to maintain a cohesive look. And lastly, simple and clear is always better in design. 

And if you ever need more support to bring your vision to life, we’re your partners in creativity! We love to design social media templates, impact reports, and a variety of other collateral items you might be dreaming about for your non-profit.

Kitestring is a Hamilton-based design and marketing agency specializing in branding, marketing and campaign strategy, and annual report design. Whether you’re a socially-conscious organization, non-profit, or community-led business, we’ll take on your marketing so you can focus on your top priorities.

Written by Marin Hudson

June 24, 2024

Marin is a community-minded designer who finds joy in all things creative, and in connecting and supporting others. From designing an annual report to crafting the perfect pizza, she thrives in collaborating with a team to make ideas come to life.

Read More From Our Blog

Email Best Practices for Your Non-Profit Newsletter

Email Best Practices for Your Non-Profit Newsletter

Email lists are marketing gold. It’s one of the last platforms where you have access to your contacts’ information, which means you can connect with your audience even if a social media platform goes down. If email is your non-profit’s friend (trust us, it is!), let’s make sure you’re using it to its full potential. 

read more
Harnessing Social Media for Summer Impact

Harnessing Social Media for Summer Impact

Summer is a season of opportunity for your non-profit to amplify your message, engage your followers, and drive donations. By embracing organic social, creating fun and engaging content, and leveraging different platforms, you can make the most of the summer season to further your cause. 

read more
Navigating Non-Profit Branding: Essential Dos and Don’ts

Navigating Non-Profit Branding: Essential Dos and Don’ts

Establishing a strong brand identity is not only essential for standing out in a competitive landscape, but also for effectively communicating your mission and engaging donors.

Many non-profits struggle to navigate the complexity of branding — leading to missed opportunities and diluted messaging. So, we’re exploring the essential elements of branding to empower your non-profit in driving change.

read more