 How the 2020 Census Impacts Montana Non-Profits
The charitable sector generates incredible impact on Montana communities and economies. Montana has nearly 10,000 nonprofit organizations that employ close to 50,000 people statewide with $7.1 billion in annual revenues.
Every person counted in the census impacts ten years of funding, representation, and allocation of public services and infrastructure. Nonprofits and foundations regularly use this data to better design programs, evaluate impact efforts and meet the needs of communities served.
For example, data may inform the number of childcare centers needed to meet demand, emergency preparedness operations or social service organizations making a case for grant funding. Promoting a complete count of all Montana citizens will provide more accurate data which will help nonprofits have greater community impact for the next decade.
 What Can Non-Profits Do to Help?
Nonprofits that have already established a relationship with the communities they serve can act as powerful voices for education about the importance of the Census. When the message to be counted and fill out your form comes from a trusted entity, people are more likely to participate.
- Join forces with a local Complete Count Committee (CCC) to share information about the Census and serve as a local expert for the communities you serve.
- Become Census ambassadors and educate populations at risk to be under-counted to increase census participation and dispel rumors.
- Join regional count efforts and collaborate with grassroots outreach efforts.
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Sign up for your facility to become a Be Counted site and provide a computer, phone, and WiFi for the public to self-respond to the Census online.
- Work together to conduct boots-on-the-ground, get out the count activities.
Need funding for Get-Out-the-Count Activities?
Montana Non-Profit Association is officially accepting Census 2020 Mini-Grant applications. Applicants may find more information on their website. You do not need to be a member to apply for a Mini-Grant.
SHARED SUCCESS ON CENSUS PROMOTION IN MONTANA
State Complete Count Committee (CCC)
The Montana CCC has sent out toolkits to almost every local Complete Count Committee. These toolkits include banners, stickers, magnets, window clings, and rack cards. If your CCC has not yet received a toolkit please contact us to request one.
Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA)
MEDA included Census news in their latest February newsletter, which featured the Anaconda Complete Count Committee which has over 30 active members. To view their newsletter, click HERE.
Whitefish
The city of Whitefish included Census content in their latest newsletter. They worked with a U.S. Census Bureau specialist and the State Complete Count Committee to have a pre-prepared article written for them.If you’d like to include Census content in your next newsletter contact us.
U.S. Census Bureau
“The 2020 Census is here,” said Steven Dillingham, the director of the U.S. Census Bureau. In remote, rural villages in Alaska the U.S. Census Bureau has begun counting. The head count won’t begin in Montana until mid-March, but the Montana Partnership Specialists are busy attending various events and complete count committee meeting to prepare for the upcoming Census.
Have Census success to share email Cassidy.blanton@mt.gov for a chance to be published in the next newsletter.
CENSUS OUTREACH IDEAS
Distribute Rack Cards
The Montana Complete Count Committee has created double-sided rack cards to be used to promote the upcoming Census. The rack cards are convenient,easy-to-hand-out material that feature information about what is at stake for Montana and how quick, easy, and secure responding to the Census is.
Be sure to distribute the rack cards far and wide so they can be seen by as many people as possible. Some location ideas are:
- Chambers of Commerce
- visitors and community centers
- hospitals and healthcare centers
- restaurants
- rest stops
- public libraries
- businesses, non-profits
- other high traffic location where they are likely to be seen, read, and taken.
To request a free box of 2020 Census Rack Cards be mailed to you at no charge, please contact us HERE.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 10-13: MACO Winter Conference - Great Falls
February 7-8: 2020 Women's Policy Leadership Institute - Helena
February 8: Civic Center Chocolate Fair - Helena
February 13: Bi-weekly Census webinar
Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2496874762699378699
Mid-March: Census invitation to participate mailed out to Montanans. Watch for the form HERE to be mailed to you or left with a packet on your front door.
April 1: Census Day!
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IN THE NEWS
State Complete Count Committee Asks Businesses, Organizations, and Community Centers to Sign Up to Become a “Be Counted” Site – Montana Department of Commerce Press Release
Confusion Over What Data Schools Can Provide for the 2020 Census – AP News
At 90, Alaska Native Woman is 1st counted in US Census – AP News
Sign Up to Become a "Be Counted" Site
With the Census count beginning in mid-March, there are ways you can assist in obtaining a complete count for Montana. Since the 2020 Census will be available online and by phone for the first time, one of the best ways to help is by signing up to become a “Be Counted” site.
To become a “Be Counted” location you will need to have:
- A building that the public and people with disabilities can access such as a business, organization headquarters, or community center where computers, tablets, or phones will be available for community members to use to fill out their form.
- Password protected WiFi.
- Your location will need to be available from mid-March until early May.
- The location does not need to be staffed, but if you choose to staff your site remember that only Census Bureau employees can assist people with filling out their form because they offer confidentiality protected by law.
Click HERE to sign up to become a 2020 Be Counted location. We have an interactive map of "Be Counted" sites around the state, get your location added to the map and have promotional material mailed to you by signing up.
Sharing Montana 2020 Census material on your social media page is a great way to spread the word about the importance of the Census. The State CCC has made social media graphics that you can share directly from our Facebook page or download from our website and distribute. A few examples are shown below.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 2020 CENSUS OPERATIONS AND ENUMERATION?
To be routed to your local U.S. Census Bureau office Call 855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter your zip code.
Reach Out to a Montana Census 2020 Partnership Specialist.
Chance Gillette
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Chance.j.gillette@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-850-0199
Jihan Khalaf
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Colleen M. McCarthy
Montana Partnership Specialist U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Colleen.M.McCarthy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2226
Jeri Bucy
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
Josh Manning
Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
HAVE YOUR CENSUS EVENTS AND NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Do you have a Census event coming up? Have you been working on community outreach? Or have success you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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