In January, the federal government issued a request for public comment on proposed data collection standards for race and ethnicity. The purpose of these standards is to ensure that federal data collection efforts—including on the decennial census—fully, fairly, and accurately reflect the country’s population. However, the current standards, last updated in 1997, do not fully reflect the changing demographics of our society and the growth of multiracial and multiethnic communities. Join this briefing to learn about a philanthropic sign-on letter in support of the proposed new standards.
Accurate data on race and ethnicity are necessary to reveal and address disparate impacts of laws, programs, and policies and to ensure that public and private programs effectively meet the needs of diverse communities. The data informs policymakers tasked with eliminating disparities and promoting equal opportunities. Additionally, our organizations and partners rely on racial and ethnic data to help serve communities—especially those historically underrepresented and underserved—through their work on various issues, including poverty, health care, housing, criminal legal system reform, environment, racial equity, education, and infrastructure.
Please join the Census Equity Initiative and Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation to hear from funders and practitioners about the need to update the standards, as well as how your organization can lend its voice to a joint philanthropic effort supporting the proposed new standards.
NOTE: This program is open only to those in philanthropy.