What is the census?
The census is a part of democracy that matters to all Minnesotans. $15 billion allocated to Minnesota by U.S. census data is at stake. This critical funding supports vital programs like Medicaid, highway planning, and programs that aid low-income households, rural communities, and communities of color. Every person we count matters and contributes to our beautiful and vibrant community.
The census and nonprofits
Nonprofits have a critical role to promote community participation and build power. The census is about equity and inclusion and making sure that there is fair political representation and distribution of resources. We are all stronger when our democracy is strong. We are all stronger when communities are using their voice and power to help shape and change the systems that impact them every day – especially communities that have been historically disenfranchised.
How can nonprofits get involved?
- Develop an internal strategy to develop a culture of civic participation within your organization. Is there census material out for staff, board, and volunteers? Do you send an all-staff email linking them to information on how to fill out their census form? Do you remind your internal staff that filling out the census is important and that they should participate?
- Plan your organization’s census outreach & mobilization campaign. Host fun, engaging, census education efforts. Be creative! Give people good information about why and how to respond to the census.
- Take our nonprofit census pledge! By taking the pledge your organization acknowledges the importance of the census and is committed to doing at least one thing to mobilize Minnesota. Take MCN’s 2020 census mobilization pledge at http://bit.ly/MCNCensusPledge.
- Stay tuned to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ work on the census. For more information contact MCN's policy and equity coordinator, Michelle Chang.
MCN Census Grants
Congratulations to 35 organizations across Minnesota who received one of MCN’s census grants for census mobilization:
Aeon
Alliance of Chicanos Hispanics and Latin Americans
Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency
Asamblea de Derechos Civiles
Campus Compact
Centro Tyrone Guzman
Community Action of Ramsey and Washington Counties
Cultural Diversity Resources
Deaf Equity
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County
Hmong Museum
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
Jordan Area Community Council
Korean Adoptee Ministries
KSMQ
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Little Earth Residents Association
Living at Home Network
Organization of Liberians - Minnesota
Our Savior's Community Services English Learning Center
Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee
Pillsbury United Communities
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Prairie Five Community Action Council
Project for Pride and Living
Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota
Rise, Inc
SEWA-AIFW, Inc
Somali Community Resettlement Services
Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota
Women for Political Change
Wright County Community Action
Marshall Area YMCA
MCN is no longer accepting applications for census grants. We are anticipating another round of grants in early 2020. Please take our Nonprofits Count! Pledge and sign up for the Nonprofit Advocate for updates.
Interested in doing census work but not sure what sort of funding is available? The State Demographics Center has a FAQ sheet that might help with your questions.