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20,201,249 …
… that’s the official tally for New York State for the 2020 Census. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, despite political interference, despite the traditional influences working against an accurate counting for many New York constituencies and communities—our state, which was predicted could lose up to two congressional representatives, only lost one. We came close to losing none. The New York State Census Equity Fund (NYSCEF) is proud to have been part of the get-out-the-count effort leading to that outcome, thanks to your support.
I am pleased to share with you the addendum to the evaluation we shared with you in May 2021 of NYSCEF’s work. Authored by Dr. Seema Shah and Comm|Veda Consulting, The New York State Census 2020 Data Report is the culmination of several months of analysis of tract-level census data, conversations with NYSCEF grantee partners, and peer review by our respected colleagues Stephen Romalewski, Director, CUNY Mapping Service, and Joseph Salvo, past Chief Demographer for New York City. To help illustrate the work of the Fund, the closed companion report includes case studies highlighting the work of the Fund’s grantees on Long Island, Western New York, Westchester County, and Staten Island.
The report also offers comparisons of self-response rate improvements in counties where NYSCEF grantees were active vs. those where no NYSCEF-funded activities took place. While there are many factors that contributed to the successful count we had in New York despite all the challenges we faced, we know that philanthropy’s role made a difference. You are part of our success story.
We are proud to offer this report as our contribution to lessons to be learned as we prepare for Census 2030. We look forward to our collective/future work to ensure New Yorkers are accurately counted and fairly represented.
Respectfully,
Patricia Swann
Program Director / New York Community Trust
Chair / New York State Census Equity Fund
April 2022
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