A couple months ago, Michigan Nonprofit Association announced their 2010 Census initiative and brought me on board to help lead it. In a blog on September 2, I shared why it’s important for nonprofits be involved in the 2010 Census. (Read the 2010 Census blog here)
Nonprofits Count! is a campaign to mobilize nonprofits to get involved in making sure that every person is counted, with a special emphasis on hard-to-count communities. Michigan Nonprofit Association and the Michigan Nonprofit Complete Count Committee have organized Nonprofits Count! in Michigan as the statewide campaign committed to increasing 2010 Census participation in hard-to-count communities. And with the support of some foundations in Michigan, the campaign was able to distribute 2010 Census grants to more than a dozen nonprofits across the state to support their efforts to increase participation in hard-to-count communities.
The grants will support public education efforts to reach members of undercounted communities about the importance of a complete census count. The message is clear: we need a complete count in order to receive funding to keep essential services and provide access to funds, programs and services for Michigan residents. The results of the 2010 Census will affect the dispersion of federal funds, political representation, public infrastructure and private investment. For every 100 people not counted, a community risks losing an estimated $1.2 million over the next decade for federally funded programs alone.
To see the list of grantees, click here. To learn more about their individual efforts, click here.
Does your organization has a 2010 Census initiative? How will you help ensure a complete count in your community? What questions or concerns are you hearing from your community members?
To learn more about the Nonprofits Count! in Michigan campaign visit www.mnaonline.org/census.asp. A Nonprofit Resources Toolkit is available as a PDF download for your organization to use as educational material and includes:
* What’s at Stake?
* Why Nonprofits: Key to a Complete Count
* Census 101: The Basics
* Seven Things Any Nonprofit Needs to Know about the 2010 Census
* Census by the Numbers
* Meeting with Census Specialists
* Census Glossary of Terms
Submitted by guest blogger Sam Singh, census consultant for Michigan Nonprofit Association.
Bookmark and share : 
: 
: 
: 
: 
Filed under: Advocacy, Collaboration, Federal Budget | Tagged: Census 2010, Collaboration, nonprofit blog
