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Census 2020: KY Nonprofits Count

 

The 2020 Census is less than one year away and the stakes for Kentucky could not be higher! 

Every 10 years, the United States government conducts the Census — a national accounting of everyone living in every state. While the Census count itself isn’t doesn’t start until next year, NOW is the time to get informed, educated and motivated to help Kentucky get it's fair share!

Kentucky Nonprofit Network convened the Count Me In 2020 KY Nonprofit Coalition to mobilize nonprofits across Kentucky to help ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census count (read the press release).

 

What's at stake for Kentucky?

Did you know that Kentucky stands to lose $2,021 of federal funding per year for EACH PERSON not counted? Kentucky cannot afford to leave money on the table!

Federal Funds:  Census data are used by public officials to distribute federal funds for programs like Title l and special education grants; foster care and child care grants; Section 8 housing vouchers; K-12 education; and Head Start/Early Start; SNAP and school lunch; spending on rebuilding roads, highways and bridges; and more. Ultimately, an inaccurate Census count means that hard-to-count populations will rely more heavily on nonprofit organizations for services.

Political Representation: Historically, the Census in Kentucky has missed many "hard-to-count populations" - disproportionate numbers of racial minorities, immigrants, young children and those living in poverty.  This undercount leads to inequality in political influence, government funding and private-sector investment for these communities. The Census is vital to ensuring that our representational democracy is truly representational - determining the number of seats in Congress, boundaries for congressional and state house/senate districts and more.  

Public Infrastructure:  Government and businesses need census numbers to make good decisions on the location of schools, transportation and retail.

 

Why nonprofits?

As trusted messengers for our respective constituencies, including our hard-to-count populations, Kentucky's nonprofits are in a unique position to be the difference makers to ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census.  Nonprofits:

  • are located in communities most at risk of being under counted (urban and rural).

  • maintain everyday contact and have trusting relationships with the communities they serve.

  • manage cultural sensitivities and language needs within their communities.

  • are driven by social missions strive to ensure their communities have access to the funds, services, representations, and physical and social infrastructure affected by the Census count.

  • are keenly aware of the negative impact an undercount will have on their communities, and that we will be left trying to make up for the shortfalls.

 

How can your organization engage?

Census outreach activities can be easily integrated into existing nonprofit services, programs, offices and resources without lots of additional investments of time and resources.  KNN and our Coalition partners want to make it as easy as possible for you to help make sure everyone in Kentucky is counted in 2020!  If you don't see a resource you need below or would like to connect with a Coalition partner targeting a specific hard-to-count community, please reach out and let us know - we'll connect you.

 

1. Learn the Basics on the Census with these Webinars and Events

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2. Participate in a local Complete Count Committee - locate a Committee near you and get engaged!

 

​​3. Bring others together to address the barriers to a complete count - host a Census Solutions Workshop!

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4. Help raise awareness of the Census with social media art, downloadable flyers/posters, stickers and more! (More coming soon.)

Check out resources for specific hard-to-count populations/issues:

Children

Families

Housing & Transportation

U.S. Census Bureau Resources:

 

 

  • Other Great Resources:

    • Nonprofits Count - excellent tools, checklists and more to make engaging in Census efforts easy from Nonprofit Vote

    • Census Counts - great tools, resources and more from Census Counts, including an FAQ on technology issues and an online pledge to be counted

    • Counting for Dollars - research, including Kentucky specific data, from George Washington University

    • Count All Kids Committee - a national campaign and resources focused on ensuring children are counted in the 2020 Census

    • National Council of Nonprofits - resources, links and policy information from the nation's largest network of nonprofits - the National Council is actively advocating nationally for a fair and accurate count

    • The Census Project - toolkits and more from a broad-based coalition of national, state, and local organizations that support an inclusive and accurate 2020 Census and American Community Survey (ACS) (the modern version of the census “long form”)

    • Counting for Dollars 2020: The Role of the Decennial Census in the Geographic Distribution of Federal Funds - reports and tables broken down by state from The George Washington University Institute of Public Policy

       

Want to get engaged with the Coalition? Have a question or suggestion? Click to connect with us!

 

Special thanks to sponsors of our KY Nonprofits Count Initiative!