Montana Census 2020

Montana Nonprofit Association believes nonprofits will and do play a critical role in achieving an accurate and complete Census count. We will be updating this site on an ongoing basis between now and April 2020 to provide nonprofits in Montana with information and resources vital to ensuring a complete Census 2020 count.

2020 Census: What is the Census?

When is the census?

The next Census will be conducted from March-May 2020. April 1 is National Census Day, so start thinking of ways for your nonprofit to help facilitate responses. Beginning in May, Census workers will go to door to door to count households that did not self-report.

Census Mini-Grants for Nonprofits

Thanks to the generosity of several foundations in the state, Montana Nonprofit Association is launching a competitive, statewide program to award micro-grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to support get-out-the-count activities and events. A priority for funding is 1) Hard-to-Count Communities and 2) hardest to count populations.

Why does the Census matter to nonprofits?

How will people know to participate?

In March, each household in the United States will receive a letter or postcard from the Census Bureau with online participation instructions. We’ve been told that there will likely be additional letters or postcards sent out, in case people miss or misplace their initial letters.

What Data Confidentiality Requirements Exist to Protect Respondents?

There are indications that some may be reluctant to participate in the census due to fear of the government and concern that their information could be used to harm them or their families. This factsheet (click to download) provides background on the existing law regarding disclosure of census data by the Census Bureau. It is intended to help community leaders and respondents better understand the benefits and risks to individual respondents participating in the 2020 Census.

Can nonprofits provide incentives to complete the Census?

The Census Bureau understands that organizations may provide incentives for filling out the 2020 Census. While there are no regulations on providing incentives for participation in the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau national and local partnership program is happy to work with organizations to educate them on the benefits of the 2020 Census.

Additional Resources

Below are some resources that you can use to learn more about the Census:

Reports and resources from the Montana’s Department of Commerce: