Photo: Image of the Census with the American flag under it.
Photo: a family consisting of mom, dad, brother, and sister
Photo: Woman holding an open computer by a gate. The computer has a Census 2020 sticker on it
Photo: Facilitation by ⁦Hannah Saeger Karnei regarding #Census2020 with ⁦@IUPhilanthropy ⁩ students
Census 2020 Education

JANUARY 2020 – October 2020

Census 2020 Education

The Purpose

Every ten years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone in the United States, known as the census. This information is used to allocate annually distributed federal funds based on each community’s population. Each community across the country must be accurately counted to ensure that they receive the funds needed to support critical programs such as public education, healthcare, and housing.

Strengthening the Impact

The Patterson Foundation connected partners and resources to educate the region and strengthen participation in the 2020 Census throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. The 2020 Census provides the opportunity for each of these communities to chart their path forward. Through the Aspirations Journalism initiative, The Patterson Foundation and the Herald-Tribune Media Group continued coverage that focused on sharing relevant information and increasing community participation in the 2020 Census. Beyond this approach, The Patterson Foundation focused on opportunities to enhance community outreach around the 2020 Census across the four-county region.

FAQ's

Click on frequently asked questions below to learn more about Census 2020 Education.

What was the 2020 Census?

The U.S. Constitution mandates that every ten years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone in the United States, known as the census. The census count is used to allocate annually distributed federal funds to communities across the country to support critical programs such as education, healthcare, employment, housing, and public policy.

Why did The Patterson Foundation support the 2020 Census Education?

The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address common aspirations and foster wide participation, along with ways organizations learn and share as they evolve. The 2020 Census provided a once-in-a-decade opportunity for communities to chart their path forward.

Why was participating in the 2020 Census important to the region?

Accurate census data provides vital information about the people living in a community that strengthens and supports the efforts of multiple sectors. An accurate count benefits communities in numerous ways, such as:
  • Ensuring communities get their fair share of federal funding used for schools, hospitals, roads, and other public programs
  • Determining how many congressional seats each state holds
  • Influencing where businesses choose to build factories, offices, and stores

How did The Patterson Foundation support the 2020 Census?

Through community outreach and continuing coverage from the Aspirations Journalism initiative, The Patterson Foundation connected partners and resources to educate the region and strengthen participation in the 2020 Census throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Where can I learn more about the 2020 Census?

To learn more about the 2020 Census, visit 2020census.gov.

Through the Census 2020 Education project, The Patterson Foundation worked to increase the public’s awareness of why being counted is critical and how to be counted.

Through the Census 2020 Education project, The Patterson Foundation is working to increase the public’s awareness of why being counted is critical and how to be counted.
(total time: 4 minutes 10 seconds)


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