BERRIEN COUNTY — The Berrien Community Foundation recently announced an opportunity for mini grants to help Berrien County achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census. 

Berrien County has an anticipated $44 million in federal funding per year for the next 10 years at risk if there is an undercount in the 2020 Census.  Because of this risk, the Berrien Community Foundation is acting as the census hub to help mobilize communities to ensure an accurate count. Census count day is April 1, 2020.

“Our local nonprofit organizations are key to the grassroots efforts to count every resident in the 2020 Census,” said Berrien Community President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “Nonprofits, including churches and schools, are key contact points to residents who may not fill out the census form. These grants will help support nonprofit efforts to educate residents about the importance of the census and plans to get out the count.”

Census-based federal funding is used for roads, bridges, schools, social services, housing, transportation and more. Census data also determines federal and state legislative representation. 

“Counting every resident of Berrien County is vital to Berrien County getting our fair share of federal funding and representation,” said Kathy Stady, Berrien County census hub coordinator.        

Nonprofit organizations who serve “hard-to-count populations” are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions to learn more, said Berrien Community Foundation officials. Hard-to-count populations include: low-income persons, persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons experiencing homelessness, persons who do not live in traditional housing, physically isolated persons, young children, people of color, highly mobile persons such as college students, non-English speakers, immigrants and LGBTQ persons.

Census mini-grants will be available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, school or government agencies, and religious organizations that have active programs with hard-to-count populations. These organizations must be serving in Berrien County.  Application due date is Aug. 31.

Information sessions are available at the following times and locations:

• 10:30 a.m. to noon — Monday, June 24, New Buffalo Township Library

• 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Monday, June 24, Berrien Springs RESA

• 3 to 4:30 p.m. or 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Tuesday, June 25, Benton Harbor, Kinexus

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. or 4:30 to 6 p.m. — Wednesday, June 26, Niles District Library

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Wednesday, July 10, Coloma Public Library, 151 W. Center St., Coloma