With hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in funding for Colorado based on the 2020 U.S. Census and dozens of vital programs at risk, NextFifty Initiative® hopes to boost an accurate count through grants ensuring a full tally of the state’s hard-to-reach populations.
NextFifty Initiative, a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and their caregivers, this week announced a $750,000 grant fund open to nonprofits and government agencies with projects designed to conduct education and outreach, and to improve the participation of older adults in the Colorado census.
NextFifty Initiative’s focus with this special effort is on hard-to-count older populations, such as those in rural communities, non-English speakers, refugees, or those experiencing homelessness. A mixture of fatigue, misinformation, fear, apathy, isolation or lack of access could suppress the accurate counting of people who might benefit most from future services. Colorado policy analysts have estimated a 2020 Census undercount could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars based on federal estimates of population and put dozens of vital programs at risk. “Every Coloradan deserves the equal opportunities and level playing field that a full and accurate Census count will bring for the coming decade,” said NextFifty Initiative President and CEO Diana McFail, in announcing the grant fund. “We know there are great ideas out there for increasing Census education, awareness and participation of older adults and engaging hard-to reach communities, and we look forward to partnering with Colorado nonprofit and government agencies during this crucial window of time.”
Applications for NextFifty Initiative’s 2020 Census grants opened January 27, and will run through March 20 or when the fund is expended. Grants will be for up to $25,000 each, and time is of the essence – the “official” and traditional Census launch is April 1. The Census will emphasize online returns for the first time in 2020, but will also encourage answers by traditional mail and by a new 1-800 interview line.
Online grant application links and more information about the NextFifty Initiative Census grant program can be found at https://www.next50initiative.org/funding-opportunities/census-2020.
NextFifty Initiative is a Colorado-based private foundation dedicated to funding mission driven initiatives that improve the lives of the older adult population and their caregivers. We seek to fund game-changing efforts to improve and sustain quality of life for people in their second 50 years. NextFifty Initiative educates about proven initiatives and advocates for transformational change. NextFifty Initiative made grants of over $8 million in 2019. Our mission is to promote independence and dignity for the aging population, to include the needs of low- and moderate-income persons, encompassing individuals with physical, cognitive and/or behavioral disabilities, by encouraging and supporting innovative, affordable and coordinated services and initiatives.