Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are three ways that you can get involved in participating or planning community events that will help prepare individuals for the 2020 census. 

• Why is an accurate count of the 2020 census critical for the social sector?

• Learn about philanthropy and the 2020 Census. 

We are less than 100 days away from the 2020 Census. The census has wide-reaching implications for political representation, the allocation of resources, and our knowledge of America’s communities.

Four local organizations in the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP), a network of local organizations coordinated by the Urban Institute, recently shared advice about hosting successful events to promote the 2020 Census to residents and other local stakeholders. NNIP Partner organizations ensure their communities have access to data and the skills to use those data to advance equity and well-being across neighborhoods.

Events are a powerful way to provide useful information about completing the 2020 Census and spur efforts to “get out the count.”

Based on their experiences, partners shared three tips on how best to engage communities:

  1. Think about how your organization can contribute
  2.  Shape your event around specific community needs
  3. Craft your event with the audience in mind

Because Census Day 2020 is quickly approaching, the window to host large-scale, strategy-focused events is narrowing. However, organizations can shift the focus of their events to raising awareness about census logistics, like what to expect in filling out the census form. The scale and structure of events may differ, but organizations like NNIP Partners can use this community engagement strategy as a part of their efforts to achieve a complete count in their communities.

Read the full article about community events planning the 2020 census by Olivia Arena and Kathryn L.S. Pettit at Urban Institute.