Why the Census is Important
Did you know?
Did you know that data from the census is used to determine all kinds of things, from the number of seats a state has in Congress, to the amount of federal funding it might receive for critical public programs? An accurate count is essential.
Announcing $3.3M in Census Grants
Funding collaborative names 130 grantees
Following the release of a request for proposals earlier in the year, the Bay Area Funders Collaborative in September 2019 announced grants for census outreach programs and activities to nearly 130 nonprofit organizations in the nine-county Bay Area.
Defending the Integrity of the 2020 Census
Supreme Court rules citizenship question cannot, for now, be added
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a citizenship question cannot, for now, be added to the 2020 census, by sending the case back to a lower court for further review. We are pleased with this outcome, although this is not the final ruling on the case and our fight continues. Read our Blog
Everyone Counts
SVCF is working to ensure all Californians get counted in the 2020 census
The 2020 census faces many challenges. For the first time ever, most questionnaires will be collected online. There are many hard-to-count populations. And the Secretary of Commerce has proposed adding a citizenship question to the census, which will decrease participation from immigrant communities. These issues – combined with an inadequate level of federal, state, and local funding – will make it difficult to achieve a fair, accurate count. Read our Blog
Want to help?
Everyone can get involved in ensuring an accurate count! Below are resources for nonprofits, individuals and businesses.
If you're an SVCF fundholder: You can make a donation to local census work through your donor portal. If you're a member of the public, you can make a secure donation by using the button below.
For Nonprofits
As nonprofits, you are trusted messangers in the community and are playing a central role in ensuring an accurate census count.
Funding Opportunity
Click here for a complete list of nonprofit organizations that received funding from the Bay Area Census Funders Collaborative as a result of that RFP.
Trainings
You can watch and learn from our training sessions.
Webinars
Webinar 1:
How the Bay Area Will
Be Counted
August 21, 2019 | 1:00 pm (PST)
Webinar 2:
Reaching Hard-to-Count (HTC) Communities – A Deep Dive
September 18, 2019 | 1:00 PM (PST)
Webinar 3:
Supporting a Complete Count as Census Enumerators – What You Can Do
October 23, 2019 | 1:00 PM (PST)
For Foundations
We’ve created the below guide to help community foundations in mobilizing their networks to take action to ensure an equitable census.
In the Census 2020 Guide for Community Foundations, you will find a variety of opportunities to get involved in Census 2020, including templates to help you get started and links to additional resources. Download a copy of the guide here.
For Individuals
The 2020 census may face challenges, but there are ways for individuals to get involved.
- Learn: Everyone Counts: SVCF's work to ensure an accurate 2020 census
- Learn: Local nonprofit Puente gears up to count every household in 2020 census
- Learn: What's at stake?
- Learn: Unconventional housing, fear of eviction challenge Bay Area census efforts (KQED)
If you're an SVCF fundholder: You can make a donation to local census work through your donor portal. If you're a member of the public, you can make a secure donation by using the button below.
For Businesses
Businesses rely on accurate census data. There are many challenges facing an accurate count in the 2020 census, but there are also ways for businesses to get actively involved to help ensure an accurate count. Below are some resources:
Talking points
