Did You Know? Tools Available to Assist with District Outreach 06/03/2025
Are you ready to step up your outreach game? Having specialized software to create social media posts, handouts, and custom designs is a great place to start. This guide will aid you in navigating the most popular options and help you decide which one is the best fit.
Best of all, the NACD Outreach Subcommittee designed a brochure template that works with all three of these programs! These templates are fully customizable and allow you to easily drop in your own district logo and photos. You can follow this link and click on the instructions document for more information on how to use this framework.
Additionally, the NACD Stewardship and Education team has created additional Canva templates and education materials that are free for all districts to download and utilize.
At a Glance
Canva
Canva is quickly becoming one of the most popular publishing programs available because of its ease of use, web-based platform, and extensive library of templates. If you don’t have significant experience with Adobe or Microsoft design products and are looking for an easy way to get started this may be the best choice for you.
Adobe InDesign
Adobe is the biggest name in graphic design and makes the most powerful tools for creating digital and print media. InDesign is more complex and is best suited for someone that has previous experience with Adobe products or time to learn how to use it.
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher may be the name you are most familiar with on this list. This design tool has been around since 1991. Microsoft has plans to retire it in 2026, so support and new updates will be limited in the future. However, if you have a long history with Microsoft, you may feel most comfortable with this program, and it’s likely already included in your district’s Microsoft Office subscription.
| Canva | Adobe InDesign | Microsoft Publisher | |
| Pros | · Most user friendly, utilizes an intuitive “drag and drop” system · Numerous easy to access, customizable templates · Works well on most computer systems · Free version available |
· Most powerful publication tool · Infinitely customizable, capable of creating unique and specialized media |
· Powerful tool, especially helpful for creating newsletters and longer publications · Included with most Microsoft subscriptions, so likely free for you to use · Familiar framework |
| Cons | · More difficult to create complicated designs with lots of elements · Not optimized for longer publications (documents greater than a couple of pages) · Free version has limited access to templates and design elements |
· Steep learning curve for new users · Expensive (relative to other options) · More time consuming to create designs |
· Can be clunky and unintuitive to use compared to newer software · More time consuming to create designs and layouts · Less “drag and drop” design options · Set to be retired in 2026; Microsoft will maintain its availability but will not be releasing new updates or versions |
| Who is it best for? | · Employees without a background in design or using publishing software · Districts looking to get quality graphics and publications created quickly and easily |
· Employees with a strong background in graphic arts and experience with adobe products · Districts looking to create a distinctive digital presence and staff time to dedicate to graphic design and publications |
· Employees who are familiar with Microsoft applications · Districts that want to try using a publishing and design software without purchasing a new program or starting another subscription |
| Pricing | Canva does have a free version but to get access to most templates, design elements, and export options, you will have to use Canva Pro. Canva Pro starts at $120 a year. Some districts or state associations may qualify for a free non-profit Canva Pro account. | $34.49 per month or $22.99 per month if you commit to an annual plan. | Opportunities exist to purchase the most recent Microsoft Publisher version for ~ $100. However, if you have access to other Microsoft applications you may already have access to Publisher. |
If you’re still unsure about which one of these publishing platforms is right for your district, then consider signing up for a free trial! All three of these options offer a free trial period between seven and thirty days, so you should have ample time to test the features and decide if it’s worth the cost.
The membership team is always creating new resources to help districts with outreach, personnel management, and everything in between. Have any ideas for future resources that may be helpful? Reach out to us at membership[at]nacdnet.org, and we’d love to chat about what would help improve your district’s conservation delivery system.