August 16, 2018 (Los Altos, CA) —The Packard Foundation joined 303 other philanthropic leaders calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to withdraw a citizenship question from the 2020 census, reflecting an unprecedented consensus in philanthropy from local foundations to national grantmaking organizations. Accurate census data helps communities ensure that children and families have the resources they need to thrive.
In a public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Commerce Department ahead of an August 7 deadline, the large collection of foundation presidents and chief executives, trustees and others speaking for their organizations said the question would “significantly undermine efforts to achieve a fair and accurate census in 2020.” The letter continues:
We have different funding priorities, are ideologically diverse, and do not always agree with each other. But we wholeheartedly agree that the citizenship question should not be part of the 2020 Census.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
