Massachusetts Census Equity Fund Awards over $900,000 to Community-Based Nonprofits for 2020 Census Outreach
Second round of grants awarded from group comprised of major philanthropic institutions focuses on organizations that reach hard-to-count communities across Massachusetts
2020 is upon us and preparations for the United States’ decennial census are in high gear. The Massachusetts Census Equity Fund (MCEF) announced its second round of targeted grants, totaling $350,000.00, to 34 grassroots nonprofit organizations to support efforts across Massachusetts to reach hard-to-count communities in the 2020 Census. MCEF, a statewide funding initiative working to increase participation in the 2020 Census, launched its grant program in early 2019 to provide targeted financial support for nonprofits to encourage the participation of historically undercounted communities in the census.
Alexie Torres, Chair of the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund and Executive DIrector of Access Strategies stated, “ 2020 is upon us and the time is now for philanthropy, grassroots organizations, state and civic leaders to join together to ensure the most accurate count of Massachusetts residents in the 2020 Census. The Massachusetts Census Equity Fund is proud to be supporting such an amazing group of groups across the state. ”
The impact of the results from the upcoming decennial census will be immense, bringing into focus the importance of collecting accurate data from historically undercounted communities.
Census data determines political representation and the allocation of federal funds for social programs, including more than $16 billion per year for Massachusetts. In other words, the Commonwealth could stand to lose almost $2,400 in federal funding per year for each person not counted in the census.
New challenges facing an accurate 2020 Census count presents a clear need for the support that MCEF is providing through its grants. For the first time, census data will be collected primarily online, presenting difficulties for people without reliable internet access–most of whom live in areas that are already historically undercounted–to participate. There are also concerns that immigrants and their families will be afraid to participate in the census, as a result of high-profile, aggressive efforts by the federal government to identify and deport undocumented immigrants.
Finally, the United State Census Bureau has significantly fewer resources than it did in past census efforts. In addition to targeted grant funding to nonprofits working on-the-ground to make their communities count, MCEF created a learning community to connect, convene, and provide resources to partners on the importance of the census and promote active involvement to ensure a fair and accurate count.
In the spring of 2019 MCEF distributed grants totaling more than $560,000.00 for organizing and education activities in undercounted communities for the months leading up to the census. Those included grants to The Pioneer Valley Regional Ventures Center, Worcester Interfaith, Brockton Immigrant Assistance Center, Coalition for a Better Acre and the Chelsea Collaborative.
Gladys Vega, Executive Director of the The Chelsea Collaborative shared,” We have taken this project seriously and we have incorporated Census Charlas throughout all of our training, classes, and workshops. We have organized street fairs, network gatherings, canvassing and in our Noches Sociales which happens every 6 weeks we have made the Census a table conversation. The Collaborative has to ensure that the hard-to-locate individuals are counted, we know that, without a non-profit organization like ours involved, we will continue to be undercounted. I have no doubt that in Chelsea, Revere, East Boston and Lynn more people will be counted as long as the trusted members of the community are knocking on their doors and getting people to participate.
About the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund
The Massachusetts Census Equity Fund (MCEF) is a statewide funding initiative working to increase participation in the 2020 Census, specifically in communities that are at risk of being undercounted. MCEF provides grants for grassroots organizations working toward creating an accurate and fair count, as well as a learning community for partners.
