In 2030, decennial census self-response rate increases by 1.5 percentage points statewide and 4.0 percentage points in Philadelphia.
The Census Bureau estimates that its data is used to guide the distribution of more than $2.8 trillion in federal funding [1]. To ensure that Pennsylvania and each of its counties receive their fair share of those funds, it’s critical to have an accurate count of our state’s residents.
We have supported efforts to achieve a complete and accurate census count for more than 50 years by making grants to organizations that encourage and help Philadelphians and people across the state to participate in being counted.
In order to achieve an accurate count of Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians, we are focusing on supporting efforts to increase the decennial census self-response rate.
We recognize that there are many ways that organizations and communities can contribute to increasing this self-response rate. Self-responses are typically the most accurate responses, as residents know themselves and their households best. Possible efforts may include work that can help more accurately capture data on young children, ages 0-4, and residents of historically undercounted communities. We are seeking to fund projects and programs that Pennsylvania organizations believe will be most effective in making progress on the objective above.
During active census periods, we will measure our progress for this objective via the Census Bureau’s dashboards that show weekly updates on self-response rates across the country.
The William Penn Foundation is strictly non-partisan and funds only charitable activities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.
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