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Software · head to head

Canva for Nonprofits vs Microsoft Nonprofit Program

Canva for Nonprofits logo

Canva for Nonprofits

Software

Design tool for nonprofit marketing

From
Free
Rated
-
Microsoft Nonprofit Program logo

Microsoft Nonprofit Program

Software

Free Microsoft tools for nonprofits

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Canva for Nonprofits free access covers up to 50 users; further seats are charged at 50 percent of Canva Enterprise pricing; Microsoft Nonprofit Program schools, universities, government agencies, banks, insurers, professional associations, sports bodies and political and labour groups are all ineligible
  • They diverge on capability: Canva for Nonprofits covers Design templates, Microsoft Nonprofit Program covers Office Suite.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Canva for Nonprofits and Microsoft Nonprofit Program actually diverge.

Attributes where Canva for Nonprofits and Microsoft Nonprofit Program differ
AttributeCanva for NonprofitsMicrosoft Nonprofit Program
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWeb, IOS, Android, Desktop
Founded20131975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Canva for Nonprofits

  • Design templates
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Stock images
  • Brand kit
  • Team collaboration
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Slack

Only in Microsoft Nonprofit Program

  • Office Suite
  • Cloud storage
  • Email and collaboration
  • Analytics
  • CRM
  • Data analytics
  • Teams
  • SharePoint

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Canva for Nonprofits

  • Design work for a registered charity at no costnot Microsoft Nonprofit Program
  • Team collaboration on branded materials across up to 50 usersnot Microsoft Nonprofit Program
  • Access to Canva Pro premium photo, video and graphics librariesnot Microsoft Nonprofit Program
  • Brand kit management for consistent nonprofit communicationsnot Microsoft Nonprofit Program

Microsoft Nonprofit Program

  • Microsoft 365 licences for a registered nonprofit's staffnot Canva for Nonprofits
  • Discounted cloud services for volunteers and temporary employeesnot Canva for Nonprofits
  • Azure credits for nonprofit workloadsnot Canva for Nonprofits
  • Public libraries and museums qualifying outside the usual charity definitionnot Canva for Nonprofits

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Canva for Nonprofits

  • Free access covers up to 50 users; further seats are charged at 50 percent of Canva Enterprise pricing
  • Government agencies, political groups, educational institutions and grant-making foundations are all excluded
  • Most 501(c) categories other than 501(c)(3) do not qualify
  • Eligibility requires registered charitable status and country-specific documentation

Microsoft Nonprofit Program

  • Schools, universities, government agencies, banks, insurers, professional associations, sports bodies and political and labour groups are all ineligible
  • Free granted licences cover paid employees and unpaid executive staff only; volunteers and temporary staff get discounts rather than grants
  • Organisations must keep at least 85 percent of granted licences actively used
  • Licence counts vary by country and a group of organisations can hold only one grant account

Pricing, plan by plan

Canva for Nonprofits

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Design templates
    • Basic elements
  • Canva Pro Nonprofit$1/month
    • Premium templates
    • Brand kit
    • Team collaboration

Microsoft Nonprofit Program

Free
  • Nonprofit ProgramFree
    • Office 365
    • Azure
    • Dynamics 365

Which should you pick?

Choose Canva for Nonprofits if

  • You need design templates.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.

Choose Microsoft Nonprofit Program if

  • You need office suite.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want cloud storage.

Questions people ask

Is Canva for Nonprofits or Microsoft Nonprofit Program better?
Neither clearly leads. Canva for Nonprofits starts at Free and Microsoft Nonprofit Program at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Canva for Nonprofits or Microsoft Nonprofit Program?
Canva for Nonprofits starts at Free and Microsoft Nonprofit Program at Free.
Does Canva for Nonprofits or Microsoft Nonprofit Program run on more platforms?
Canva for Nonprofits runs on Web, IOS, Android. Microsoft Nonprofit Program runs on Web, IOS, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Canva for Nonprofits for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Canva for Nonprofits best used for?
Canva for Nonprofits is most often used for design work for a registered charity at no cost, team collaboration on branded materials across up to 50 users, access to canva pro premium photo, video and graphics libraries, brand kit management for consistent nonprofit communications. Of those, design work for a registered charity at no cost and team collaboration on branded materials across up to 50 users are not what Microsoft Nonprofit Program is typically brought in for.
What can Canva for Nonprofits do that Microsoft Nonprofit Program cannot?
Canva for Nonprofits covers Design templates, Drag-and-drop editor, Stock images, Brand kit. Microsoft Nonprofit Program covers Office Suite, Cloud storage, Email and collaboration, Analytics. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

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