Our History
In 2013, in response to efforts to weaken the American Community Survey (ACS), a group of Minnesota demographers and data users formed MACS to educate the Minnesota congressional delegation about the importance of ACS data. Every year since then, MACS has organized meetings with all 10 Minnesota congressional offices, inviting a diverse set of stakeholders to participate.
In 2015, MACS co-founded the Minnesota Census Mobilization Partnership (MCMP). Over the 5 years leading up to the 2020 Census, MCDP assembled a broad coalition of organizations to promote participation in the Census, particularly among Minnesota’s historically undercounted communities. This effort resulted in the highest Census response rate in the nation, and led to Minnesota retaining its 8th congressional district.
In 2022, supported by a grant from the Census Equity Initiative (a network of national funders), MACS incorporated as a Minnesota nonprofit organization and began the transition from all-volunteer organization to a formal, staffed organization that has become a permanent part of Minnesota’s civic engagement infrastructure.
In 2024 and 2025, MACS applied for and received federal tax-exempt status; hired full-time staff; recruited new board members; developed organizational structures, systems, and policies to ensure efficient and effective operations; and launched new initiatives including the Rural Initiative and the Undercount of Young Children Initiative.