Partnership Seeks to Boost Census Participation Among ‘Hard-to-Count’ Communities

With the goal to increase participation in the 2010 Census among Multnomah County’s “hard-to-count” communities, an alliance of more than 20 nonprofits are working together to reach communities of color, non-English speaking residents, immigrants, low income households, seniors and people with disabilities, and homeless people.

Led by the offices of Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury and City of Portland Commissioner Nick Fish, the Complete Count Committee has allocated $140,000 in mini-grants to local community organizations and nonprofits. The nonprofits are tasked with conducting community outreach, publicity, grassroots organizing and special events among hard-to-count communities with low participation in the 2000 Census.

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette will serve as the administrative agent for the Complete Count campaign. United Way will oversee disbursement of grant dollars to participating nonprofits and ensure that organizations are meeting their contracted outreach goals. read more