Congressional passage of a stop-gap, omnibus funding measure late last month has put preparations for the 2010 Census back on track for now, but as the Census Bureau gears up for the decennial census, challenges remain.

As part of a "continuing resolution" that will allow federal agencies to continue spending  at 2008 budget levels until March of next year, Congress approved an exception for the Census Bureau, boosting funding from $1.3 billion to $2.9 billion.  The increase will allow the Bureau to ramp up preparations for the 2010 Census. Without the boost in funding, the Census Bureau would have been forced to curtail plans to begin opening field offices in preparation for the decennial census.

But despite the funding boost, concern is growing that it will be difficult to obtain a full and accurate count in 2010.   The 2000 decennial census was widely regarded as a success, but participation could lag this time around. An Associated Press story ("2010 Census Faces Challenges in Responses") this past week quotes Steve Murdock, the director of the Census Bureau, as saying that in the wake of 9/11, "We have a lot of fear about government intrusion; we have a very contentious debate going on about immigration. It is a very different environment." 

Historically, minority groups are undercounted in the decennial census.  To ensure an accurate count, it's always been necessary to boost outreach to African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans, Native Americans, and other minority groups. That's particularly true this time.

Responding to this challenge, the Census Bureau is mounting an ambitious campaign.  In addition to plans for a major media blitz, the Census Bureau is working in partnership with more than 100,000 local government agencies and nonprofit organization to build public awareness.

The data collected by the 2010 Census will be used to allocate more than $300 billion a year in federal funds, and will also used for political reapportionment and redistricting. Recognizing the critical importance of a full and accurate count, the Population Resource Center is educating the foundation community about what it can do at the local level to boost awareness of, and support for, the 2010 Census. In partnership with foundations and regional associations of grantmakers, it is preparing to host more than a dozen field briefings in the next year.

While the Census Bureau provides free materials to local organizations working on the decennial census, no cash support is given.  In prior decennial censuses, many local and community foundations have stepped in to provide small grants to local "complete count committees" and organizations working on the census in their communities. With the continuing uncertainties surrounding the 2010 Census that foundation support is more critical than ever.

Any foundation desiring more information about how they can support the Census should contact our office at (202) 467-5030.  Or e-mail me at rwalker@prcdc.org