Preparing for Census 2030: Getting the Address List Right

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There is an important role philanthropy – particularly state and local funders – can play over the next 2 years in getting ready for the 2030 Census. It is a less-known operation for improving the addresses that the Census Bureau uses so that people who are hard to reach get the census when mailed out.  It is called LUCA, the Local Update of Census Addresses, and it is the first major operation of the 2030 Census.

This virtual briefing on September 17 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET will include funders, experts and community leaders who worked on the 2020 Census operation and are preparing for 2030. It will focus on when and why communities should engage in promoting LUCA and how philanthropy can help to make LUCA successful.

Program speakers include:  

• Ahtza Dawn Chavez, Executive Director, Naeva
• Allan Oliver, President, Thornburg Foundation
• Esteban Camarena, Sr. Field Manager for Census & Data Equity, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
• Joseph Salvo, Chair, 2030 Census LUCA Working Group
• Leroy Johnson, Holmes County Mississippi Board of Supervisors & Southern Partners Fund
• Robert Rhatigan, New Mexico State Demographer & Director, University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies Center.

Karen Narasaki, Senior Advisor, Census Equity Initiative will guide the discussion.

To help make the 2030 Census fair and accurate, it starts with LUCA.

To join this virtual briefing about how philanthropy can engage in LUCA, register here.

This event is co-sponsored by Census Equity Initiative (host), Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Council on Foundations, Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and United Philanthropy Forum.

Background 

Each decennial census misses people of color, urban and rural low-income households, and young children at disproportionately high rates. Part of the reason for these undercounts can be traced to missing or inaccurate address information. If a housing unit isn’t on the Census Bureau’s address list, the people residing there are likely to be left out of the census altogether.

The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation gives tribal, state and local governments their only opportunity to review and submit updates or corrections to the confidential address list before the census starts.

Participation in LUCA is voluntary, and it requires local knowledge, technical expertise, and funding — none of which are provided by the federal government. Community based organizations and funders have the knowledge and resources to make a difference.

During this briefing, you will: 

• Learn why, when, and how to support efforts to prepare for and engage in LUCA. While the formal process begins in 2027, there is work that needs to be started now to identify areas where the Census Bureau is less likely to have correct and complete addresses and develop statewide or local plans. 
• Hear examples from Census 2020 where funders supported LUCA—and communities such as New Mexico benefited from local engagement and factors to consider when building a strategy for 2030, particularly in places such as in the rural South.  
• Hear about the 2030 LUCA Resource Guide and how to connect your partners to LUCA technical assistance and training.

Please note that advance registration is required. After registering, approved registrants will receive a calendar confirmation email.