Making the Case for Philanthropy
It is difficult to overstate the importance of a fair census count. When census information is not accurate, it threatens to muffle the voices of undercounted groups and regions, and undermine the basic political equality that is central to our democracy. Institutions across the country, including local and state governments, businesses, nonprofits and foundations, routinely rely on data from the census to allocate funding, define where services are delivered and promote economic development.
The Census Bureau is facing a daunting set of challenges as it prepares for the 2020 census. Since the bureau is facing budget constraints like never before, it’s planning to collect the majority of census information online, scale back door to door outreach and roll back canvassing. The changes increase the potential of undercounting young children, minorities, low-income individuals and other marginalized individuals. Given the current climate, regional philanthropy associations and their members are needed to advocate and educate elected officials and community leaders on the importance and impact of the 2020 census on their communities. Even without the changes being proposed for the 2020 census we know there were gross undercounts of vulnerable populations in the 2010 census. This is why the 2020 census matters to philanthropy.
Want to join this effort?
For more information or resources, please contact Claudia Herrold.
Resources
- Philanthropy Ohio along with 500 other leaders in the nonprofit sector sent letters to and urging support for extending the Census to the original date of October 31.
- Census 2020 adjustments due to COVID-19
- Regional Census positions are key to ensuring an accurate census count in 2020. Apply for a temporary Census job online or by calling 855.562.2020.
- How the 2020 Census will invite everyone to respond
- Census 2020 Policy Update
- Philanthropy's Role in the 2020 U.S. Census
- Governor Dewine’s 2020 Ohio Complete Count Commission Recommendations
- 2020 Ohio Funders for the Census
- A report from FCCP outlines funder models for census engagement.
- Philanthropy Ohio sent comments to the Department of Commerce in early August.
- Philanthropy Ohio asks the Ohio General Assembly to allocate funds for 2020 Census activities in the state.
- Ellen Buckman Presentation, Census Meeting
- Quick facts about Ohio from the 2010 Census
Webinar Recordings
Get out the Count Webinar - December 18, 2019
Counting Every Ohioian Census 2020 Webinar (4/2019)
Hard To Count (HTC) Mapping Site
HTC maps by county and census tracts