How to Set Up a Canva Account for Your Church (And Get Free Nonprofit Access!)
If your church is still relying on Microsoft Word for flyers or asking volunteers to “just whip something up,” it’s time to make things easier. Canva is an intuitive drag-and-drop design tool that makes it simple to create beautiful, on-brand graphics—even if you don’t have a design background.
Even better? Canva offers free Pro access for qualifying nonprofits—including churches. Here’s exactly how to sign up and get your team started the right way.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Canva Account
Head over to www.canva.com and click “Sign up.” You can create an account using a Google login, Apple ID, or email address.
💡 Pro Tip: Use your church’s official email (like hello@yourchurch.org) instead of a personal one. This helps Canva verify that you're a legitimate organization later on.
Once you’re in, you’ll be taken to your Canva dashboard where you can start creating designs right away—even before you're approved for Pro.
Step 2: Apply for Canva for Nonprofits
Now it’s time to unlock the real power of Canva—for free.
Visit canva.com/nonprofits and click “Apply Now.” This will take you to an application form where you’ll provide:
Your church’s name
Website URL
EIN or nonprofit tax ID (if available)
Proof of nonprofit status (like your 501(c)(3) letter or group ruling documentation)
Canva uses a nonprofit verification partner (TechSoup) to confirm eligibility. Even if your church isn't officially registered as a 501(c)(3), many are still eligible through denominational group rulings—so don't skip this step!
Step 3: Wait for Approval
Once you submit your application, Canva typically takes 7 to 10 business days to review and respond.
While you wait, you can still use the free version of Canva to get started. Create folders, explore templates, and get familiar with the dashboard. As soon as you're approved, your account will automatically upgrade to Canva Pro at no cost.
Step 4: Invite Your Team
One of the biggest benefits of Canva is collaboration. After you're approved, you can add your staff, volunteers, or ministry leaders so everyone can help with designs.
To add your team:
Go to your Canva dashboard
Click “Invite People” in the top right corner
Add team members by email and assign them the right permissions
This is especially helpful if your church has multiple ministries (youth, kids, outreach, etc.) who want to create on-brand materials without starting from scratch.
What You Unlock with Canva Pro (For Free!)
Once you’re approved, your church gains access to the full Pro toolkit:
Thousands of premium templates (perfect for sermon series, social posts, slides, etc.)
A Brand Kit to upload your logo, fonts, and color palette
Magic Resize, which lets you turn one design into multiple formats (like Instagram, flyers, and posters) with one click
Access to millions of stock photos, graphics, and icons
Design scheduling and content planner tools
Want Help Getting Started?
I create easy-to-use Canva templates specifically for churches to save time and look professional—without hiring a designer. You can explore those here. Or, keep reading for tips on what to do next once your Canva account is up and running!
