Texans for a Complete Count
Achieving a complete and accurate count requires a strong collaborative effort among all members of the community.
Philanthropy and community-based organizations, municipalities, and local leaders came together to support the U.S. Census Bureau by educating their communities about the importance of the Census.
To organize and coordinate their Census outreach efforts, the majority of states established state-level Complete Count Committees (CCC) for the 2020 Census to support the work of the Census Bureau. However, three did not – South Dakota, Nebraska, and Texas.
Although Texas launched a $15 million dollar public education campaign approximately one month ahead of the Census deadline, the lack of a state-level CCC and financial support left a critical gap in funding and leadership for the 2020 Census.
To organize and coordinate their Census outreach efforts, the majority of states established state-level Complete Count Committees (CCC) for the 2020 Census to support the work of the Census Bureau. However, three did not – South Dakota, Nebraska, and Texas.
Although Texas launched a $15 million dollar public education campaign approximately one month ahead of the Census deadline, the lack of a state-level CCC and financial support left a critical gap in funding and leadership for the 2020 Census.
Key Leaders & Funders for the Texas Census
Realizing the profound importance of the Census for every resident in Texas, philanthropy and community-based organizations, local leaders, and elected officials collaborated to address the unique barriers to Census completion in Texas and ensure a complete and accurate 2020 Census count.
How did each region encourage Census participation?
Texas Counts Campaign and Texas Counts Pooled Fund
Background
In 2019, Communities Foundation of Texas partnered with Every Texan (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities) to create Texas Counts, an informal statewide complete count effort.
The campaign provided strategic, coordinated support to count every Texan in the 2020 Census and ensure the state received the funding, congressional representation, and data needed to support its growing population.
By supporting get out the count (GOTC) efforts across Texas, Texas Counts provided critical support for existing Census efforts and further enhanced the state’s ability to reach the hardest to count populations.
Texas Counts divided its work into two strategies:
Initiatives
Key initiatives of the Texas Counts Campaign and Texas Counts Pooled Fund included:
Census Steering Committee
Developing and managing an informal statewide Census steering committee and website for the Texas Counts Campaign and Texas Counts Pooled Fund
Education
Organizing Census information sessions with organizations, lawmakers, and other groups to educate about the importance of the Census
CCC Training & Mentoring
Encouraging municipalities to establish Complete Count Committees (CCCs) for the 2020 Census and equipping CCCs with tools and resources for success
Technical Support
Providing technical support and coordination of Texas Counts Weekly Updates, providing Census data, updates, and support to advocates across Texas
Census Steering Committee
Developing and managing an informal statewide Census steering committee and website for the Texas Counts Campaign and Texas Counts Pooled Fund
Education
Organizing Census information sessions with organizations, lawmakers, and other groups to educate about the importance of the Census
CCC Training & Mentoring
Encouraging municipalities to establish Complete Count Committees (CCCs) for the 2020 Census and equipping CCCs with tools and resources for success
Technical Support
Providing technical support and coordination of Texas Counts Weekly Updates, providing Census data, updates, and support to advocates across Texas
Real-Time Data Analysis
Partnering with a Senior Demographer with the Texas Demographic Center to present on real-time data and analysis of Census rates during the campaign
Funding Census Engagement
Fundraising a $1.9M pooled fund, strategically distributing 47 grants to organizations & municipalities conducting Census outreach in their HTC communities
Phone Banking
Implemented a statewide phone banking campaign, making 1 million phone calls in 1 month to encourage Census completion
Statewide Marketing Campaigns
50+ special GOTC events across the state were live-streamed during the Texas Counts Virtual Road Trip, showcasing the hard work of Census champions
Real-Time Data Analysis
Partnering with a Senior Demographer with the Texas Demographic Center to present on real-time data and analysis of Census rates during the campaign
Funding Census Engagement
Fundraising a $1.9M pooled fund, strategically distributing 47 grants to organizations & municipalities conducting Census outreach in their HTC communities
Phone Banking
Implemented a statewide phone banking campaign, making 1 million phone calls in 1 month to encourage Census completion
Statewide Marketing Campaigns
50+ special GOTC events across the state were live-streamed during the Texas Counts Virtual Road Trip, showcasing the hard work of Census champions
Timeline
Below is a timeline that shows the key milestones and initiatives of the TCC and TCPF and how they aligned with activities of the U.S. Census Bureau.
U.S. Census Bureau
Texas Counts Campaign
Texas Counts Pooled Fund
Texans for a Complete Count Achievements
$1,901,435 raised for the Texas Counts Pooled Fund
$1,404,905 in grants distributed across the state
1,000,000+ calls made during Census phone banking
22,000+ minutes of updates, events, and trainings
2,300+ captive followers on social media
1,000+ individuals in the Texas Counts network
100+ Texas Counts events
60 community events hosted during the Texas Counts Virtual Road Trip
47 organizations, CCCs, and municipalities received grants
22 nonprofits contributed to the Texas Counts Pooled Fund
Texans for a Complete Count Achievements
$1,901,435 raised for the Texas Counts Pooled Fund
$1,404,905 in grants distributed across the state
1,000,000+ calls made during Census phone banking
22,000+ minutes of updates, events, and trainings
2,300+ captive followers on social media
1,000+ individuals in the Texas Counts network
100+ Texas Counts events
60 community events hosted during the Texas Counts Virtual Road Trip
47 organizations, CCCs, and municipalities received grants
22 nonprofits contributed to the Texas Counts Pooled Fund
