This article was originally published as “Lessons for Philanthropy From the 2020 Census,” by Gary D. Bass, Lisa M. Hamilton, La June Montgomery Tabron, Barbara Picower, Ann B. Stern, and Darren Walker in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in December 2021.
Excerpt
In past years, threats to our democracy have become so regular and alarming that not every development gets sufficient public attention. That was also the case with the 2020 census: Not only did the pandemic make it unusually difficult to conduct a fair and accurate count but the political environment presented obstacles in ways that could have left out many people of color, children, people in tribal communities, immigrants, low-income families, and others who have historically been missed.
The census matters not only because it determines how much states and localities receive for an array of essential social programs but also because it influences state and federal redistricting efforts that can change representation and power dynamics for a decade or more. The census can have a profound impact on those who have historically been underserved. A fair and accurate decennial count is critically important in assuring that all communities have voice, power, representation, and resources.
