Empower Your Voice: A Guide for Census-Related Congressional Education & Engagement
Two nonprofit organizations, Texas Census Institute (TxCI) and Minnesotans for the ACS & 2030 Census (MACS), have joined forces across state lines to release Empower Your Voice: A Guide for Census-Related Congressional Education & Engagement (linked), a practical, nonpartisan manual designed to help organizations effectively engage their members of Congress on the importance of an accurate Census and American Community Survey (ACS).
The U.S. Census and ACS operate in an increasingly complex policy and funding environment. Decisions made in Washington about how the Census Bureau is resourced and how its data are collected and published have consequences for communities across the country, affecting everything from political representation to the $2.2 trillion in annual federal dollars that fund local schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. With the 2030 Census planning already underway, the decisions being made now will shape the quality of that count for years to come.
Joan Naymark, Founder and Senior Advisor, Minnesotans for the ACS & 2030 Census:
“An accurate Census and ACS benefit everyone, regardless of party, geography, or background. We built this guide because we know from experience that even small nonprofits can have a real impact when they engage their congressional offices thoughtfully and consistently. You don't need a lobbying firm or a Washington presence to be effective. You just need to show up informed and ready to build a relationship."
Developed through a collaboration between TxCI and MACS with input from national Census partners, the guide walks organizations through a step-by-step outreach process, including:
how to identify the right staff contacts in a congressional office,
how to time outreach to align with the federal appropriations cycle,
how to prepare for and conduct productive meetings, and
how to maintain those relationships over time.
It includes sample emails, a sample meeting agenda, and plain-language explanations of the federal budget process as it relates to Census Bureau funding.
The collaboration itself reflects the manual's spirit. Texas and Minnesota sit at the southern and northern ends of Interstate 35, a corridor that connects two states with enormous demographic diversity, distinct regional economies, and very different congressional delegations. Both states have significant stakes in an accurate count, and both organizations have learned through direct experience that constituent voices from back home carry real weight with elected officials.
Angela Broyles, Founder and CEO, Texas Census Institute:
"Census data is foundational to a thriving Texas. Due to an undercount in 2020, Texas lost $25 billion in federal funding that would have strengthened our systems from healthcare and education to economic development and infrastructure. Our goal with this guide is to give stakeholders resources and help ensure Congress understands what's at stake and every state gets their fair share of resources.”
An accurate Census serves everyone, shaping political representation, directing federal resources, informing business investment, and supporting planning at every level of government. The organizations' shared view is that Census accuracy is not a partisan issue, and the guide is intentionally written to be useful to nonprofits of any political geography or organizational background.
While the guide was designed with Census engagement in mind, the approach it outlines is broadly applicable. Nonprofits that work on housing, healthcare, education, workforce development, or any issue touched by federal funding will find the outreach framework, communication strategies, and budget process overview useful well beyond Census season.
Empower Your Voice is available now on the websites of TxCI and MACS. Organizations interested in using the guide or learning more about Census congressional engagement are encouraged to reach out directly to the authors.
Census Counts will host a free webinar on December 2 to walk participants through this congressional outreach guide. Whether you are new to congressional advocacy or looking to sharpen your approach, the webinar will provide practical tools, talking points, and guidance to help you make your voice heard. Registration information will be available later this year.