I want to highlight the amazing work being done about census efforts by philanthropy-serving organizations (PSO) that are part of the United Philanthropy Forum network (The Forum). The Forum has partnered with the Funders Census Initiative of the Funders Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) to bring this conversation to foundations and partners nationwide, develop great data, and provide opportunities for foundations to connect with what is happening in their local regions. There is great information available that will allow foundations of any size to invest their work locally or nationally as we get closer to the 2020 census.

The Funders Census Initiative 2020 website is helpful if you are interested in learning what your community needs and what help is available to determine what your family foundation can and should do near census time. I particularly draw your attention to the toolkit and resources sections.  More than anything, I encourage you to ask your regional philanthropy serving organization to see if they are engaging in this work.

I would encourage your family foundation to align your investment with your grantees and the specific communities you care about.

Read the full article about the 2020 census by Maggie Gunther Osborn at National Center for Family Philanthropy.