Funders’ Committee Census Initiative (FCCI)

The constitutionally-mandated decennial census is a cornerstone of our democracy. Accurate census data are essential for the fair distribution of political representation and the equitable allocation of more than $800 billion in annual federal assistance to states, communities, and families. Yet historically, the census has disproportionate undercounted people of color, immigrants, young children, and low-income households.

The 2020 Census faces unprecedented challenges, including:

• Significant population growth among many historically hard-to-count (HTC) populations; 
• Increasingly complex and less formal living arrangements; 
• Cyber-security threats and the digital divide of the first high-tech census;
• Federal funding constraints, resulting in canceled tests and scaled back preparations; 
• Mistrust and fear of government, particularly among historically HTC communities. 

Although philanthropy cannot and should not supplant the government’s responsibility to conduct a fair and accurate census, funder support of the census is more important than ever.

The Funders Committee Census Initiative (FCCI), a program of the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP), is helping to mobilize philanthropic engagement towards a fair and accurate 2030 Census through outreach, education, resource development, and technical assistance. 

FCCI 2030 supports grantmakers by:

• Providing forums for funders to learn, strategize and plan together including webinars, briefings, convening sessions and in-person meetings
• Developing and distributing census timelines, updates, fact sheets, analyses, and resources to inform your work
• Monitoring Census Bureau progress and tracking legislative issues which could impact a fair and accurate count

By supporting grantmaker engagement in the census, FCCI works to achieve a democracy where traditionally marginalized communities have equal access to participation and decision-making in the democratic process. 

Money in Politics (MIP)

Many believe that the voice of everyday people is undermined by the influence of money in our political system. FCCP’s Money in Politics Working Group addresses this issue by providing a critical hub for grantmakers seeking to better understand the money-in-politics field, explore how it intersects with civic engagement issues, and discuss strategies being advanced by advocates on the ground. We provide an ideal space for funders to share information, engage in strategic discussion, and receive tools to inform grantmaking strategies.

In addition, MIP:

• Builds philanthropic knowledge through funder-driven webinars, convening sessions and strategy meetings

• Breaks down issue silos by helping grantmakers connect money in politics to their grantmaking

• Advises and supports programming organized in other philanthropic spaces and collaborates with affinity group partners

As a working group member, you will join a diverse community of funders who work together to explore challenges and opportunities, and ultimately engage in more robust, strategic and effective money-in-politics grantmaking.