Stand Up and Be Counted: Why the U.S. Census Matters to Nonprofits

March 26th, 2010 - Posted by OneStar Foundation - No Comments

By now, you have probably seen several public service announcements about the importance of filling out your U.S. Census forms. You have probably received your Census forms in the mail as well.

But did you know that the Census is one of the most valuable tools available for federal, state and local government and planning officials? Data from the Census is utilized to create plans and distribute funds for schools, roads, government redistricting and more. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy article “Foundations Pour Millions Into Efforts to Improve the Census,” the Census count currently results in $1,415 in funds per person annually, adding up to $14,150 per person for the whole decade.

In addition, according to NonprofitsCount.org:

• $4 trillion in federal funds will be distributed to states over the next decade based on Census data.
• Texas received $23.1 billion in Census-based federal funds during 2007 alone.
• Each Texan counted in the 2000 Census earned $968.36 in federal dollars for our state.

Part of those funds will come in the form of taxpayer dollars that go toward contracting with nonprofits to deliver services. Unfortunately, many of the people who rely on nonprofits for services—particularly people with young children, homeless people and people whose primary language is not English—are often underrepresented in the Census. Without everyone’s participation in the Census, communities cannot effectively plan to meet the true needs of all of their residents, and nonprofits may not receive enough funding to continue serving their clients effectively.

But your nonprofit organization can help ensure that everyone—especially those who might need help the most—can stand up and be counted in the Census! Your organization can:

• Encourage your clients to fill out their Census forms.
• Use the hotlines listed on NonprofitsCount.org to get your clients’ Census questions answered.
• Refer your clients to a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center if they would like to get assistance in person.
• Partner with other nonprofits in your area to get the word out about the importance of the Census, and how it affects residents. (Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations is Texas’ nonprofit partner with NonprofitsCount.org.)
• Become an official 2010 Census Partner through the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Help relieve people’s fears about how their information will be used; detailed information can be found on the U.S. Census 2010 Web site.

How is your organization promoting Census participation? Tell us in the Comments section!

Tags: Census·Communities·Government·Nonprofit Organizations·OneStar Foundation·Resources