1. CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN

2. What Nonprofits Can Do to Help Increase The Census Count
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
What Nonprofits Can Do to Help Increase The Census Count

3. CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Census
The United States has collected data about its population since 1790 and continues to collect data every 10 years. Currently, the National Archives has the 1790 to 1940 census records available to the public.
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution calls for an “enumeration” to be made of the populace “within every subsequent term of 10 years.” 
The Census is used – among other things – to apportion political power.

4. Census vs. American Community Survey
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Census vs. American Community Survey
The Census asks 10 questions –
Name
Address
Gender
Age
Birthday
Race
Ethnicity
Relationship to head-of-household
Owner or rent
Phone number
The ACS asks more than 50 questions:
When was your house built
How long is your commute to work
Work status
Veteran Status
Cost of utilities
School enrollment
Educational Attainment
Etc.

5. CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
What’s At Stake
Accurate census data are essential for the fair distribution of the country’s 435 congressional seats and for the fair allocation of government resources
Michigan is at risk of losing another seat this time
More than 15 billion federal and state program dollars were distributed to Michigan communities annually based on census data
This is particularly important for Michigan because about 42% of our state budget relies on federal funding

6. CENSUS2020 LARGEST FEDERAL SOURCES THAT USE
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
LARGEST FEDERAL SOURCES THAT USE
CENSUS DATA FOR DISTRIBUTION

7. Moving to online CENSUS2020 Will save $5.2 Billion Tax Payer Dollars
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Moving to online
Will save $5.2 Billion Tax Payer Dollars
Every person that completes their census online decreases the need for a Census Taker to knock on their door
People will be able to respond from any device – anywhere – instead of responding to a paper form that arrived in their mailbox
Response rate should go up & Costs should go down
Be more inclusive (languages and vision impairments can be addressed)

8. But there are huge risks
CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
But there are huge risks
People who don’t have access to the internet (“dead” spots in our community)
People who fear technology
People who fear the security of their information being transmitted through the internet
A new system – with little time to test and 10 years to live with the results

9. CENSUS2020 Who are the hard to count?
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Who are the hard to count?
Complex households including those with blended families, multi-generations, or non-relatives
Cultural and linguistic minorities
Lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer/questioning persons
Low income persons
Persons experiencing homelessness
Persons less likely to use the Internet and others without Internet access
Persons residing in places difficult for enumerators to access, such as buildings with strict doormen, gated communities, and basement apartments
Persons residing in rural or geographically isolated areas
Persons who do not live in traditional housing

10. CENSUS2020 Who are the hard to count?
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Who are the hard to count?
Persons who do not speak English fluently (or have limited English proficiency)
Persons who have distrust in the government
Persons with mental and/or physical disabilities
Persons without a high school diploma
Racial and ethnic minorities
Renters
Undocumented immigrants (or recent immigrants)
Young children
Young, mobile persons

11. Why Nonprofits matter CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Why Nonprofits matter
The population you serve and are connected to are the undercounted.
You are trusted by these populations.
You have access to these populations
You can provide access to the online system
You can make the case

12. What can and should your nonprofit do to assist in a complete count?
CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
What can and should your nonprofit do to assist in a complete count?
September February 2020
Develop a plan for how those your serve will have access to the census 2020 website to complete the form online
Develop messages to connect the census to your work
Promote census in e-communications
Include at a conference or other convening
Distribute materials to target audiences, internal and external
Host – or advertise someone else’s – Training or Online Webinar
Co-Sponsor a Community Event on the Census
March – May 2020
Incorporate the census into ongoing outreach, services and advocacy
Display Posters – with key messages, where to get help
Provide computers and phones for people to use when completing the census

13. Timeline CENSUS2020 March 2020 – Internet Self Response Begins
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Timeline
March 2020 – Internet Self Response Begins
1st Postcard Mailings Begin
2nd Postcard Mailing Sent
3rd Postcard Mailing Sent
April 1, 2020 – CENSUS DAY
4th Postcard Mailing Sent
5th Postcard Mailing Sent
May 2020 – Nonresponse Begins
Doorknocking – 1x

14. What should you be doing right now
CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
What should you be doing right now
Assign a staff person or volunteer as your nonprofit’s census liaison
Learn about the census – timeline, impact
Discuss at a staff meeting
Discuss at a board meeting
Learn about the areas of your community that are hard-to-count

15. Explore Why Some won’t respond – and begin to address their fears
CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Explore Why Some won’t respond – and begin to address their fears
Confidentiality vs. Privacy
Fear of Retribution
Government Already knows enough about me
It doesn’t matter
Marginalized

16. Fill your feed CENSUS2020 www.becountedmi2020.com
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Fill your feed

17. Fill your feed CENSUS2020 www.becountedmi2020.com
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Fill your feed

18. Share Information CENSUS2020 www.becountedmi2020.com
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Share Information

19. Provide Technology to your population
CENSUS2020
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Provide Technology to your population

20. Resources: www.census.gov/roam www.BeCountedmi2020.com
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Resources:

21. Questions? Ideas? CENSUS2020 www.becountedmi2020.com
MICHIGAN NONPROFITS COUNT CAMPAIGN
Questions?
Ideas?