Advocacy & Public Policy

Nonprofits Count promotes 2010 census participation

2009 is almost over and April 1 is right around the corner, says Nonprofits Count, an organization working to increase participation in the 2010 census. There are many things nonprofits can do to help America achieve a complete count, Nonprofits Count says:

1. Include the census in your communications – Make sure to add messages about the census to your newsletters, e-blasts, blogs and website.  You can also put the census on the agenda for your next staff, board or public meeting.

2. Order a toolkit from Nonprofits Count – Click here: http://www.nonprofitscount.org/toolkit-orders  

3. Partner with the Census Bureau – Click here: http://www.nonprofitscount.org/become-a-census-partner.html  

4. Advertise census jobs to your constituents – Census offices nationwide are recruiting for part-time census takers and hundreds of thousands of positions are available. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses. Bilingual individuals are especially encouraged to apply. To learn more, click here  http://2010.census.gov/2010census/involved/job-opportunities.php, or call the Census Bureau at 1-866-861-2010. 

5. Become a Questionnaire Assistance Center – If your organization's facilities include a small, private space that can be used by census employees to provide assistance for people completing 2010 Census forms, you may be eligible to become a Questionnaire Assistance Center. QACs are public facilities where Census employees help people fill out their census forms. The Census Bureau's deadline for identifying QACs nationwide is Dec. 31; however, local deadlines vary and many regions are still identifying QACs for the 2010 count. Click here: http://www.nonprofitscount.org/state-resources.html or contact the Hawaii census office to apply, (808) 535-0920.

6. Become a Be Counted Center – These centers act as official distributors of census forms for those who have lost, not received or simply do not have a 2010 Census questionnaire. The centers will provide forms in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian. Be Counted sites also receive a Be Counted box to display in their facility. The Be Counted program runs for four weeks during spring of 2010. To learn how to become a Be Counted Center, call (808) 535-0920.

In addition, Nonprofits Count has provided links to resources: