PHOTO BY // MIKE NADDEO PHOTOGRAPHY

Being counted helps communities create jobs, provide housing, fund K-12 education, prepare for emergencies and build schools, roads, hospitals and libraries. Census data also determines how state representatives will serve in the House.

Being undercounted deprives Flint and Genesee County of equal political representation and private and public resources. Those with the most to lose from an undercount are the hardest to count, including communities of color, immigrants, young children, the homeless, and those traditionally served by nonprofits.

Based on a recent study from George Washington University, and based on the population of Flint, the amount of annual funding in question amounts to about $142 million for critical services and programs. This translates to $1800 per person, per year, for every person not counted.

Many of these funding areas are particularly relevant in Flint, including early childhood education (HeadStart); access to healthy food and nutrition (SNAP and school lunches); and access to a medical home (WIC, S-Chip and Medicaid).

The Census asks for less personal information than most social media profiles. Items like name, gender, age, birthday, race/ethnicity, relationship to head-of-household, owner or renter and phone number are asked. The Census will not ask about citizenship or immigration status.

In 2020 it will be easier than ever to complete the census. You can respond online using the unique Census ID that will be mailed to you. If you don’t have internet access, you can respond by phone or mail. Everyone living at the address matters and everyone needs to be counted, including children.

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Census 2020: Key Dates

Serving as a Census Hub for 2020, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint is mobilizing nonprofits in “Get Out the Count” efforts; awarding and managing mini-grants to local nonprofits; and serving as a key campaign messenger.

MARCH 2020
Census invitations mailed to households.

APRIL-JULY 2020
Reminder letters/postcards sent if no response received.

JULY 2020
Self-response deadline.

DECEMBER 31, 2020
Census Bureau delivers count to President.

MARCH 2021
States receive official count.