The decennial census of population and housing in the United States is the basis for how federal funds are distributed to such programs as WIC, Head Start, education, transportation, and public transit. It determines the number of representatives sent to Congress by state voters and how major public policy decisions are made. Each uncounted individual in our county equals a loss of $2,300 in federal support.
The 2020 Census Fund of Community Foundation Boulder County supports organizations with grassroots outreach efforts led by cultural brokers – well-connected members of communities identified as hard-to-count populations.
Hard-to-count populations in Boulder County include immigrants and Latinos who speak Spanish as a first language, communities of color, college students, seniors, families with children under five, low-income residents and people experiencing homelessness, among others.
The Community Foundation has convened a representative group of leaders with reach into these communities, for advice on which organizations in Boulder County have demonstrated effective reach and influence with these hard-to-count populations. The foundation is now contacting organizations directly to assess their interest in receiving funds and their ability to put them to good use. Recipient organizations are encouraged to communicate and coordinate their census outreach activities with the Complete Count Committee working in their area.
Check out these articles from the Community Foundation Boulder County's TRENDS Report to find out more about why some are calling the 2020 census the "perfect storm" and how locals are mobilizing for a complete and accurate count.
