2010 Census
"An accurate census count is the fundamental
building block of every community."
Nonprofits Count 2010 is a national campaign that the Michigan Primary Care Association has been actively involved with for the past year. The campaign focuses on giving nonprofit organizations the tools and support they need to actively participate in the census by providing motivation and education about census participation to the communities they serve.
A complete and accurate census count impacts a decade of federal funds, political representation, allocation of human services and the future locations of hospitals, schools, public infrastructure, new businesses and more. Just think, for every 100 people not counted a community risks losing an estimated $1.2 million in federal funds over the subsequent 10 years- there is a lot at stake!
The resources below are part of the 2010 Census Toolkit for Nonprofit Organizations. Please contact Phillip Bergquist via email or by phone at 517-381-8000x222 for more information or additional translations of the resources below.
How Your Organization Can Get Involved
Educate
Educate yourself and your organization on Census 2010
- Assign a lead person – assign someone at your nonprofit to take the lead on the Census. Read our fact sheets. Get informed.
- Put the Census on the agenda of your next staff or board meeting
- Find out what’s at stake for your state and community in federal funds, political representation and public and private investment. Learn about which populations are hardest to count and the 8 steps the Census is taking to count everyone
Communicate
Add the Census to all your communications from now through April
- Put news items or facts from our website in your e-newsletter, on a blog or in other social media.
- Make the Census visible in your agency, on your website (download a Nonprofits Count web badge) and in the community.
- As the April 1st count gets closer - Announce the Census at meetings. Ask a media partner like a local radio station or respected community leader like a Board member to help your nonprofit get the message out
Activate
Your Staff: Make sure your staff and volunteers understand the importance of the Census. Train them to answer basic questions about the Census or know where to send people for help
Your Constituents: Find simple ways to engage your constituents about the Census:
- During intake, office visits and follow-up exams
- At meetings or events
- In communications and printed materials
- In regular services, classes and training programs
Your Community: Ask staff and constituents to get their friends and neighbors to fill out their forms. Make the Census a top community activity for late March and early April 2010.
2010 Census Resources
Census 101: The Basics
This brief fact sheet answers some basic questions about the 2010 Census.
Nonprofits and the 2010 Census: Nuts and Bolts
An overview presentation of nonprofit's role in the census.
2010 Census: Effective Messaging and Promotion Strategies
An overview presentation discussing how to overcome barriers and ensure an accurate count.
Census by the Numbers
This fact sheet steps through the Census "by the numbers."
Census Glossary
This fact sheet provides simple definitions to common used Census terms.
What's at Stake
This fact sheet outlines some of what's at stake in the 2010 Census.
A Nonprofit Checklist for 2010 Census Activities
Our Nonprofit Checklist of 2010 Census Activities is a good starting point for your nonprofit. The Checklist takes a step-by-step approach to getting involved in the 2010 Census and provides a breif timeline of Census activities.
Why Nonprofits: Key to a Complete Count
Why are nonprofits so important to ensuring a complete and accurate count in the 2010 Census? And why are nonprofits so well suited to this task?
Seven Things Any Nonprofit Needs to Know about Census 2010
Here are seven things that every nonprofit needs to know about the 2010 Census.
Sample Census Questionnaires (English and Spanish)
The new Census Questionnaire is one of the shortest in the history of the Census, asking only a few basic questions.