Here is your roadmap for census-related actions in 2026:
➜ Begin advocacy efforts and conversations with elected state officials to secure funding for a statewide 2030 Census GOTC campaign, which should include support for community-based organizations in 2028, 2029, and 2030.
- Use Roadmap to the 2030 Census resources to help develop a localized roadmap.
➜ Identify at least one staff person dedicated to census issues part-time.
- Have them join the States Count Action Network (S-CAN) to receive census updates and resources.
➜ Begin reviewing 2020 Census evaluations and 2020 Census Barriers, Attitudes and Motivators Study (CBAMS) results to inform 2030 Census planning at the local level.
- If available, review 2025 HTOPS results related to public perception of the census, previously tested through CBAMS, to inform development of an initial 2030 GOTC and advocacy plan.
➜ Start to gauge interest in 2030 Census involvement within your professional network and build out a strategy to bring in key partners for census engagement, such as funders, elected officials, educators, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, experts in relevant sciences (e.g., demographers and sociologists), local service providers, businesses, faith leaders and others.
➜ Identify potential community partners to form a coalition led by community-based organizations to engage with the Census Bureau and census champions.
- Begin to collaborate with tribal, state and local governments in forming Complete Count Committees (CCC).
➜ Identify geographic areas and specific population groups (such as communities of color, people with disabilities, and immigrants) at greatest risk of being undercounted to inform 2030 Census campaign strategy and funding decisions.
- Review HTC maps and available Census Bureau resources to inform outreach strategies.
➜ Identify state philanthropy organizations that are providing aligned and/or joint funding for community-based organizations in your state.
➜ Offer broad briefings/webinars for funders, cosponsored by interested affinity groups, to get buy-in for engagement in 2030 Census GOTC efforts.
➜ Expand LUCA operation education – Since the Census Bureau is planning to eliminate most pre-census address canvassing, LUCA participation becomes even more critical.
- Use the LUCA Resource Guide – This resource, developed by the 2030 Census National LUCA Working Group, helps community stakeholders understand more about the LUCA operation and how to support participating tribal/state/local governments.
- Host a dedicated LUCA briefing for local government and tribal partners emphasizing the higher stakes for the 2030 Census and the importance of LUCA and updating the census address list.
➜ Monitor testing and planning decisions for the 2030 Census, educate communities about the importance of the ACS, and support efforts to adequately fund the Census Bureau.
➜ Monitor OMB race and ethnicity standards implementation efforts, if any.
- Educate communities about the new combined race/ethnicity question and new MENA category.
➜ Begin preparing advocacy materials for the April 2027 “topics to Congress” deadline. This is the first official opportunity to see whether a citizenship question and/or OMB standards will be added to the census questionnaire.
➜ Optional: Partner with local organizations and community leaders to advance proclamations or ordinances that designate the census as a priority and secure funding for local census infrastructure and outreach. Refer to Project On Government Oversight (POGO) factsheets to understand how the census shapes funding in your state.
These are just some of the census-related advocacy actions your organization should take in 2025 to lay early groundwork for a fair, complete, and accurate count in 2030. It’s never too early to get started.
Preview Important Milestones and Actions for Past and Upcoming Years:
Which Roadmap path is best for you?
Check below to see which description best captures you and click to see suggestions fashioned for your interest.
I use the census for shaping my work.
Businesses, Elected Officials, Civil Servants, Unions, and Advocacy Organizations
I help utilize, report on, and explain the census.
Educators, Libraries, Community-Based Organizations, Influencers, Researchers, and Media
I want to support organizations using the Roadmap.
Funders, Grantmaking Organizations, Potential In-Kind Partners
What is the Roadmap to the 2030 Census?
The Leadership Conference Education Fund and Census Counts developed the “Roadmap to the 2030 Census.” This resource includes U.S. Census Bureau milestones and concrete examples of ways community-based and advocacy organizations, state and local governments, and other partners can engage in census work throughout the decade.
Why start now on the 2030 Census?
The census provides a snapshot of the nation’s population and its demographics. Ensuring accuracy is vital because this data influences legislative representation, the allocation of federal funds, and helps policymakers make informed decisions. Starting early allows for thorough preparation and avoids last-minute pitfalls, which can jeopardize accurate counts.
Census data determines the distribution of over hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding each year. An undercount can lead to significant underfunding for communities, affecting schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and other public services. By starting planning now, communities can be adequately reached and represented, ensuring they receive their fair share of resources.
Raising awareness is a time-consuming process that involves educating the public on the importance of the census, dispelling myths, and addressing concerns. By starting early, there’s ample time to engage with various communities, especially those historically undercounted, and mobilize them to participate.
Numerous challenges can emerge, from logistical issues like accessing remote areas to cultural or language barriers that make some populations harder to reach. Starting early provides the time to identify these challenges and develop tailored strategies to address them effectively.
Community-based organizations and advocacy groups play a pivotal role in reaching out to and mobilizing diverse communities, especially those that are historically underrepresented or mistrustful of government initiatives. Starting early allows these groups to form partnerships, coordinate efforts, share resources, and tailor their outreach strategies to the specific needs of the communities they serve. This collaborative approach enhances trust, maximizes resources, and ensures a comprehensive outreach, ultimately leading to a more accurate census count.
