(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District has awarded more than $800,000 in grants to local organizations to support engagement for the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census will require an extensive network of community-based partners to connect with diverse communities across the District to share the importance of participating in the Census and ensure all residents are counted.

“An accurate Census is critical for DC to receive all of the federal resources and services that we are owed,” said Mayor Bowser. “Working with local organizations will help us reach every resident and ensure a robust and fair count.”

Community partners will use grant funds to support efforts to organize, inform, and motivate residents around the 2020 Census with a focus on hard-to-count populations in Wards 1, 5, 7 and 8, low income residents, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians/Pacific Islanders, Africans, other immigrant communities, seniors, and families with young children. The funding will help grantees develop engagement activities that include special events, door-to-door outreach, and creation of special promotional materials, print and online media advertising.

In May, Mayor Bowser announced members of her Complete Count Committee, comprised of a cross section of DC Agency leadership, community and non-profit organizations, as well as representatives from higher education organizations and the private sector. The Committee will help DC Government spread awareness about the importance of the Census and overcome any barriers to counting residents in all eight wards.

The DC Office of Planning is the lead coordinator of the District Census 2020 effort. The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs serves as the grant administrator and monitor on behalf of Mayor Bowser and the Office of Planning.

All of the grantees have a presence and history of work in the District with hard to count populations.

The grant recipients are:

• Anacostia Coordinating Council
• Asian American LEAD
• Asian Pacific American Film
• CARECEN-Central American Resource Center
• Casa Ruby
• Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation
• Ethiopian Community Center
• Greater Washington Urban League
• Housing Counseling Services
• Latino Economic Development Corporation of Washington DC
• Literacy Volunteers and Advocates
• Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc.
• National Housing Trust
• Renaissance Center for Culture and Education
• Thrive DC
• United Planning Organization

For more information on how to get involved, please visit dccensus2020.dc.gov or email [email protected].