The 2020 Census is only months 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. A complete count is crucial so that Kentucky gets its fair share of federal funds for the next 10 years.
In 2019, Kentucky Nonprofit Network launched the Kentucky Nonprofits Count Initiative to inform nonprofits on their role in getting a complete count. KNN convened the Count Me In 2020 KY Nonprofit Coalition to mobilize nonprofits across Kentucky to help ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census count.
What's at stake for Kentucky?
Did you know that Kentucky stands to lose $2,021 of federal funding per year for the next ten years 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:
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are located in communities most at risk of being under counted, both urban and rural. (This map shows the most hard-to-count areas - you can zoom right in on specific neighborhoods.)
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maintain everyday contact and have trusting relationships with the communities they serve.
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manage cultural sensitivities and language needs within their communities.
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are driven by social missions and strive to ensure their communities have access to the funds, services, representations, and physical and social infrastructure affected by the Census count.
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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 any shortfalls due to a lack of funding.
The Census is just around the corner. What are 5 quick and easy ways your nonprofit can help KY secure a complete count?
1) Share this video on your social media accounts (watch video below).
2) Share this website on your social media accounts.
3) Print and post or distribute one of the flyers or posters below. Choose a more general flyer, or use a specific one that best suits your audience. Some of the flyers are available in Spanish - see below.
4) Hand out "I Count" stickers at your next event - Print your organization's own stickers on Avery #94513 labels, or order a roll of stickers from your local printer.
5) Have a computer available in your office for your clients to take the census in March and April. (Q&A for Stakeholders Supporting the 2020 Census)
Other resources for engagement:
- Help raise awareness of the Census with flyers, posters, stickers, and more!
- Downloadable flyer to help recruit other nonprofits to engage in Census outreach
- Downloadable posters to help you communicate with specific audiences - messaging focused on children, rural communities, health care, educators and more!
- Community Outreach Toolkit - quick, step-by-step resource for tailoring Census outreach efforts to those your serve
- 8.5x11 flyer for individuals - available in English and Spanish/español
- 8.5x11 poster for families - available in English and Spanish/español
- Stickers - Print your organization's own stickers on Avery #94513 labels, or order a roll of stickers from your local printer.
Resources Specific to Children
- Counting Young Children info
- Counting Young Children PDF flyer
- Census in Schools resources for teachers
- You Can Help Count KY Kids social media art - rectangular format & square format (Kentucky Youth Advocates)
- Dollars & Democracy social media art - rectangular format & square format (Kentucky Youth Advocates)
Resources Specific to Families
- Grandparents Count flyer (Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)
- Single Parents flyer (Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)
- Young Parents flyer (Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)
Resources Specific to College Students
Resources Related to Housing & Transportation
- Renters Count flyer (Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)
- Bus Riders Count flyer (Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)
- Learn the basics of the Census with this webinar: Webinar Recording: The 2020 Census - Why Nonprofits Should Care & What You Can Do | Kentucky Nonprofit Network
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Contact or join a local Complete Count Committee near you: Click for a list of Complete Count Committees (select Kentucky from the drop down menu to customize the results.)
Additional Resources from the U.S. Census Bureau:
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U.S. Census Bureau main website
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Census Jobs - the Census is hiring! Please help spread the word.
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Click here to locate a KY Census Specialist for help (simply click on your county and the specialist's contact information will pop up).
Click here to see the members of our Count Me In 2020 KY Nonprofit Coalition.
For questions or to connect with us on Census efforts, email us!
Special thanks to sponsors of our KY Nonprofits Count Initiative!
