Giving Compass' Take:

· Matt Hennessy details the importance of counting every individual in the U.S. in the upcoming 2020 census and the vast ramifications if it is not accurate.

· How can philanthropy ensure the census is fair?

· Here's more on why the 2020 Census is critical.

It is essential that the upcoming 2020 Census accurately counts all members of the U.S. population, citizens and non-citizens alike. An unfair and inaccurate 2020 Census would generate extensive and negative consequences for the philanthropy sector, the grantees and other partners that we work with, and, most importantly, the communities that we serve.

Recognizing these risks, this week 30 foundations and philanthropy serving organizations (PSOs), including United Philanthropy Forum and eight Forum members, signed an amicus curiae brief that was submitted to the Supreme Court. The effort was led by the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation and its Funders Census Initiative, Philanthropy California, and the Bauman Foundation. The brief was filed by the law firm Friedman Kaplan as part of its committment to pro bono work. By outlining the ways in which philanthropy relies on and utilizes census data, the “friends of the court” brief makes the case to uphold the lower courts’ rulings to set aside the untested citizenship question from the 2020 Census.

Read the full article about the 2020 Census by Matt Hennessy at United Philanthropy Forum.