Local organizations have until Nov. 25 to apply for grants of up to $25,000 to conduct outreach that will encourage people to be counted in the 2020 Census. The goal is to protect the $3.8 billion a year that Rhode Island receives in federal funding for education, health care, housing and transportation among other initiatives based on Census data. 

“Rhode Island cannot afford an undercount in the 2020 Census. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to learn more about the communities we serve, ensure fair representation and much-needed federal funding allocations to our state, and to encourage civic participation,” said Jessica David, executive vice president of strategy and community investments at the Rhode Island Foundation. “We’re grateful to the funding partners who have stepped up to assist with this effort and to the many local groups who will do the on-the-ground organizing around Census 2020.” 

 Rhode Island-based nonprofit organizations, municipal governments, public agencies like libraries or schools, houses of worship and community-based groups are eligible to apply for Census 2020 Outreach Grants of between $1,000 and $25,000. The grants are intended to support one-time or periodic activities to raise awareness about the Census. Grants must focus on a specific demographic community such as low-income households or a geographic area at risk of being undercounted. 

 The program will be administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, with applications reviewed by a committee of community members. There will be two rounds of funding. The deadline to apply for the second round of funding is Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. More information is available at rifoundation.org/censusgrants.