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.
When does the Census Happen?
These are the key dates to keep in mind for the 2020 census. Make sure the communities you work with are informed about when they will receive their invitations, and that they have access to a device, or are aware of the phone and paper options they can use to respond to the census.
- March 12-20 – Invitations to respond to the census will be sent out via mail (some households will receive paper questionnaire).
- March 16-24: Households will receive a reminder letter.
- March 26-April 3: Another reminder letter will be sent out to households that have not yet responded to the census.
- April 1: National Census Day! Save this date, attend a census day event in your area or organize one in your community
- April 8-16: A reminder letter and a paper questionnaire sent out to households that have not responded.
- April 20-27 Final reminder before the enumerator follow up period starts
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.
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
https://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/public-policy/census-2020
