8/27/2019
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) is accepting grant proposals from nonprofits and community groups who can help “get out the count” for the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census. Up to $2,500 can be requested for projects and programs that will reach traditionally under counted populations in northeast Michigan, helping to ensure a more complete count in our communities.
CFNEM serves Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City through its local Straits Area Community Foundation affiliate.
Grants will be awarded for projects that help reach such populations as minorities, youth, households without internet access, families with young children, senior citizens, homeless, homebound, immigrants, isolated individuals, low-income families, and other traditionally hard-to-count populations.
All grant eligibility requirements and the application can be found by visiting the CFNEM website at cfnem.org and clicking on “Census 2020”.
- WHO CAN APPLY: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, churches, schools or government agencies, are eligible to apply. Community groups may also apply, provided they have a nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsor.
- GRANT DEADLINE: October 1, 2019
- REQUEST AMOUNTS: $2,500 maximum (If a project requires more than this, contact the Community Foundation office.)
- FUNDING AVAILABLE: November 2019
“Any projects that promote awareness of the Census, and an understanding of the importance of completing the Census survey, are eligible for these grants,” said CFNEM Executive Director Patrick Heraghty. “That includes hosting ‘Census parties’, providing pop-up kiosks for people to use, door prizes for events, and other creative outreach activities centered on Census response.”
CFNEM is serving as a Nonprofit Census Hub to help ensure a fair and accurate count in Northeast Michigan. According to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, it is expected that 16% of Northeast Michigan’s population will not be counted. Researchers estimate that for every person not counted, communities will lose about $1,800 per year in federal funds. That could mean an annual funding loss of $44 million for our communities for critical programs such as health care, food programs, roads, schools, medical care, and much more.
“For the first time in history, 95% of households will be asked to respond online to the Census,” said Heraghty. “Obviously for Northeast Michigan, that is a hurdle we need to overcome, so projects that ensure and encourage participation in the survey are incredibly important.”
CFNEM was granted $50,000 through an initiative from the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Council of Michigan Foundations to provide these mini-grants to Northeast Michigan nonprofits for Census outreach programs. Grantees will include those serving the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Presque Isle.
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come.
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