There is one week left to make sure ALL Alaskans are counted in the 2020 Census. We’re sure you’ve heard us say… there are roughly 3.2 billion reasons why the census matters to Alaska! This number represents the total federal dollars flowing into our state ($3.2B) based on census data. Nonprofits directly receive 18% of that money, and even more as indirect funding. That’s why it is critically important that we take an active role to make sure that an accurate census count takes place. We only get one chance every 10 years to get this right, so we need you to jump in and help make it happen for Alaska. Nonprofits play an important role in outreach. Community-based organizations like yours make a big difference in encouraging participation from… Read more »

The Census Bureau put out an official statement that 2020’s count will be cut short a month, ending on September 30. The devastating consequences on Alaska will be felt for at least a decade. The Alaska Congressional Delegation needs to keep hear from you. Please join us in encouraging them to take action. Senator Lisa Murkowski: https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact/email Senator Dan Sullivan: https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/contact/email Representative Don Young: https://donyoung.house.gov/contact/ Draft paragraphs to copy & paste: We are concerned by this week’s changes to the timeline of the Census. Alaska currently has the lowest Census self-response rate in the nation. If the count is cut short now, we will suffer the largest consequences of any state, which will be reflected by a loss of billions of dollars flowing into our economy over the next decade. Responding… Read more »

Do you think this isn’t your issue? Think again. Every nonprofit mission, every community, every economy relies on an accurate census count. From ensuring voting rights to safe roads, to food security, to public education, to airports, to grocery stores – and for every federal dollar that comes directly and indirectly to your mission – the census matters. There is so much you can do, and now more than ever we need your action. In a recent interview on Alaska Public Media, Gabe Layman of the Alaska Census Working Group explains why. Listen here…. Read more »

Let’s take a quiz. What do these three things have in common? The 6th line in the United States Constitution Only 10 questions 18% of federal dollars flow directly into Alaska nonprofits every year Did you guess it right? Well if you said the U.S. Census – then you sure did. Just what is the census? As I alluded to above, the census is enshrined in our constitution and requires the federal government to count every person living in the United States every ten years. Remarkably, it is the single largest peacetime mobilization by the federal government and while it is the job of the census bureau to do all the counting, we sure can make their efforts a little bit easier by helping Alaskans know the facts, know their… Read more »

An invitation from the Alaska Census Working Group Recognizing both the importance of the census for our state and the many risks of an undercount in 2020, the working group has launched a statewide education and outreach initiative called Alaska Counts, which has four areas of focus: Mobilize a statewide nonpartisan multi-sector effort Create a statewide education effort Help recruit people for census jobs to support the census and build trust in communities Conduct localized outreach with partners like YOU Those who engage in promoting the census are our Census Champions. Central to our initiative is the website, which serves as an information hub with a wide variety of excellent – and free – resources. You’ll find many Alaska-made products, material for social media, and messages from trusted Alaska voices…. Read more »

Governor Dunleavy joined the director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Steven Dillingham, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center Friday morning to kick off the 2020 Census. Congratulations to everyone who has been working extremely hard to let Alaskans know about the census. Alaska Counts, a project developed by the Alaska Census Working Group, has put together a comprehensive and exciting campaign that stresses to Alaskans the importance to the state’s future of participating in the census count. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more about the census and how you can work in your community to encourage participation. You can also see some of the media coverage of the kick-off here and here. Foraker is proud to be the convener of the Alaska Census Working Group. We… Read more »

A bi-partisan resolution on the 2020 Census that was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) has passed the Senate and is on its way to the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution encourages individuals, families, and households across the United States to take part in the Census so that all communities can be counted. “Census data is essential for the government to make informed decisions about the future of its people and ensure that all Americans have equal representation. I’m proud of the Senate passage of our bipartisan resolution that recognizes the importance and the significance of the 2020 Census and ensures it is quick, concise, and easy to complete,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m glad to shine a spotlight on our efforts to ensure an… Read more »

Organizations across Alaska can now apply for up to $250 to fund local census outreach efforts. The more awareness that can be raised, the better. The 2020 Census will generate ten years of funding and data that we need to plan Alaska’s future. Check out the application, share with your network, and brainstorm creative ways to do outreach in your community! Apply here: Get funding. Do good. Be counted! Learn more at alaskacounts.net… Read more »

As a nonprofit leader, you can play a big role as a census champion for Alaska.  Building trust, getting the word out to your network, talking about why it is important, and celebrating the fundamental pieces of our democracy are all part of the fun.  Join us for an engaging hour of conversation and exploration into how you can be part of a statewide education campaign — Alaska Counts — and do your part to make sure every Alaskan is counted in the 2020 Census. In this session, you’ll learn: Why being a census champion is important to Alaska and your network The timeline and when to engage in the 2020 Census in Alaska (hint…Now) How to use the Alaska Counts Nonprofit Toolkit to activate and engage those around you… Read more »

The 2020 Census is just around the corner. More than two years ago, Foraker convened the Alaska Census Working Group (ACWG) to advocate for a fair and accurate count of all Alaskans in the census. The ACWG is a nonpartisan, multi-sector collaboration with representation from business, local, state, and federal governments, nonprofits, Alaska Native organizations, the University of Alaska, and others. We’re pleased that Mayor Ethan Berkowitz recently appointed Foraker President/CEO Laurie Wolf and ACWG Chair and Foraker Operations Board member Gabe Layman to the Anchorage Census Complete Count Commission. These appointments give Laurie and Gabe more opportunity to advocate for a successful census and ensure that all Alaskans are counted. Learn more about the Alaska Census Working Group here…. Read more »