Community Investment – Supporting Local Census Efforts

(VCF) is committed to serving its role in the region to ensure the success of Census 2020. One of the many ways VCF supports the Valley is through its grant making programs. Having correct census data is an important key to effectively directing revenue to nonprofit organizations where it can have the greatest impact.

"We are very familiar with who is doing what in the Valley and can convene people together to ensure everyone knows what the census is and the importance of completing it," said VCF President & CEO Sharon Closius. "Our goal is to have a complete census count in the Valley that will result in accurate data for so many groups to use throughout the next decade."

"Census data is one of several sources VCF uses to compile the Valley Community Index every three years," Sharon added. "Efforts like the Index, which take a deeper dive into the characteristics of our community, hinge on that 10-year snapshot gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau."

Knowing how residents care deeply about the Valley community, Sharon recognized the importance to create a grassroots effort to educate, inform, and reach those in the region. "Unlike a generation ago, or even a decade ago, channels in which news is consumed have changed dramatically, making it critical to reach people where they are."

VCF has taken an active role in supporting the Complete Count Committee to ensure that schools, businesses, religious groups, and others receive census assistance from committee members.

"This is a great way to spread the word and bolster engagement because we can reach spheres of people and address challenges such as limited resources," Sharon said. "There are key individuals who might be stretched too thin if they didn't have this committee and other peers to share what they can do on a regional level."

Fear and apathy, however, represent challenging barriers in obtaining an accurate, complete count of the region. Some local residents are disinclined to participate in the census and may not be aware of how the data impacts and supports their daily lives, such as through legislative representation or federal funding for municipal infrastructure. Others may fear legal repercussions if they are working to become citizens and exist in a limbo-like state. More still may not understand the survey form simply because English is a second language.

"How do we best include these populations and reach them? Who needs to be at the table to address these concerns and, more importantly, act on them?" Sharon asked. "VCF is there to help people so they know about the range of resources that are in place, such as the option to call in and complete the census survey questions by speaking with someone on the phone, which is an available option in multiple languages."

"Our job is always to assess the Valley Region and make sure resources are strategically put to the most effective use," she added. "VCF was a very young organization when the 2010 Census took place but, today, we are equipped and have the capacity to ensure efforts are undertaken to obtain a complete count of our region."