Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels
Offers are subject to change, refer to links for the most recent information. Updated 1/22/2024
When I present my branding and marketing workshops to nonprofits, I inevitably get asked the question: “Is there any way we can do some of this stuff on our own? (preferably for free or not a lot of money!)”
Well, between my huge list of resources and a little research, I put together this list of free or low-cost design resources for nonprofits, associations, and higher education professionals who are looking to uplevel their designs.
Fonts are intellectual property and they must be licensed before you can use them, so I don’t recommend downloading free fonts unless it’s from a reputable site that sells fonts (see below). Most font sites offer free fonts or inexpensive bundles, which is a great way to test-drive fonts and build your collection.
Always make sure you have licenses for the computer(s) you are using, and don’t share them unless your license allows usage on multiple computers. Read Monotype’s guide to font licensing for more info.
Just like fonts, images are intellectual property. Never—I repeat—never use an image that you “grabbed from the web” (i.e. Google Images, blog posts, etc.) I have personally known colleagues who have been threatened with legal action for using an unlicensed image. It’s no joke.
Always make sure you have a license appropriate to the usage you need or choose royalty-free. See my quick overview of stock photo usage.
Also, if you are using images from a free stock photo site, just remember that lots of other people are also probably using that same image. So save it for social media or another casual usage, and use licensed stock photography (or even better, hire a photographer) for images that are more critical to your organization’s branding and marketing.
I curate a list of stock photography and illustration resources that focus on diversity and inclusivity.
Image from CreateHer Stock
Of course, I would always encourage you to hire a graphic designer (hint, hint) to design identity and marketing materials for your organization. But I totally get it: sometimes timing and/or budget just don’t allow for it. In that case, I’ve given my stamp of approval for using a template from one of these sites.
My clients at smaller organizations often ask how they can learn design basics or related applications. The resources below are perfect for diving into a design topic or application.
I also offer onsite design and branding workshops that can be tailored to your needs. Reach out to me to learn more or schedule one for your organization.
Images and videos are crucial for getting noticed in print and social media. For important organizational marketing materials (identity, brochures, reports, event invitations, etc.), I do suggest working with an experienced graphic designer. But for editing a photo on the fly or creating a quick social media video, these sites make DIY fast and easy.
Did I miss something? Let me know so I can add it to the list. And be sure to bookmark this page—I update it as new resources are available.
Read the other posts in my series, Free (or Low-Cost) Design & Marketing Resources for Nonprofits:
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