PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation has committed $250,000 to support outreach and education efforts for the 2020 Census count in Rhode Island, the organization announced Friday.
This is in addition to $126,500 already distributed by the nonprofit toward the count.
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The state’s outreach and education efforts will be directed at gaining a full and complete count for the upcoming Census, which determines how much federal money flows to Rhode Island for a variety of programs, as well as the size of the state’s congressional representation.
For the first time in almost 100 years, the Ocean State may see a reduction in its congressional seats, due in part to sustained growth in western and southern states. The turnout of the state’s immigrant communities is considered one of the critical areas for Rhode Island.
Through Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, the proposed state budget includes about $300,000 for the Census count in Rhode Island, the first time the state may provide funds for outreach.
The $126,500 the Rhode Island Foundation had previously contributed consists of:
- $43,000 to the city of Central Falls for its efforts to update Census addresses
- $40,000 to fund the development of an outreach plan for the Rhode Island Complete Count Committee.
- $25,000 to the New Venture Fund, a national group working on the 2020 Census Project
- $18,500 to the Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education, to fund targeted outreach for the Southeast Asian communities.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.
