Every ten years, the United States Constitution requires that all residents, including non-citizens and undocumented immigrants, be counted through a nationwide census. Collecting accurate census data is an essential part in determining a fair allocation of federal funds and sees that it gets to the people and projects it’s intended to support. Much of this funding helps the most vulnerable populations.
In preparation for the 2020 Census, the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund and the Massachusetts Voter Table are laying the groundwork to activate nonprofit organizations in engaging communities that are historically hard-to-count. These communities are urban and rural areas with large, low-income populations, people of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, migrant workers, formerly incarcerated people, young children, the elderly, those who are disabled, renters, the homeless, LGBTQ, and those living in mobile homes or multi-unit residences.
The 2020 Census will come with an additional set of challenges in collecting the data. It will be a high-tech census that will use a new digital system that is raising privacy, cyber security, and access concerns. The census also includes an untested citizenship question that many hinder participation from people in immigrant communities. The Census Bureau is also struggling with fewer resources for its field operations than in previous decades.
Your organization can get involved by joining the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund and Massachusetts Voter Table in their efforts to raise awareness about the importance of the Census to our state and the people we serve.
Get Funding to educate and engage
The Massachusetts Census Equity Fund is now accepting proposals from organizations with exciting new ideas and projects to educate and engage with members of undercounted communities about the importance of the census. The deadline for proposals is March 1, 2019.
Click here to learn more and to submit a proposal.
Raise Awareness in Hard-to-Count Communities
The Massachusetts Voter Table will hold a 2020 Census Kick Off event on April 1, 2019.
Click here to access their Civic Engagement Calendar to find out more.