Ten northwest Michigan agencies and collaboratives will receive a collective $110,000 in grants from Networks Northwest and the Michigan Nonprofit Association for U.S. census outreach activitie in historically undercounted communities.

The grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, with recipients selected by a committee of community members who offered a diverse representation of the region and who work with historically undercounted communities in northwest Michigan. The agencies and collaboratives receiving the grants are:

> Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
> Disability Network Northern Michigan
> District Health Department #10
> Grand Traverse Community Collaborative
> Kalkaska County Commission on Aging
> Manistee County Council on Aging
> Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
> Traverse Area District Library
> Traverse Health Clinic
> Wexford County Council on Aging

The U.S. Census occurs every 10 years and is the source of important information for communities, businesses, and governments. Census data is used to allocate federal funds that support education, infrastructure, and human service expenditures vital to northern Michigan communities. Historically, some populations – including low-income households, seasonal residents, communities of color, immigrants, and young children – have been undercounted in the census. "A complete and accurate census count is critical to northern Michigan to ensure communities receive their equitable share of state and federal resources in the coming decade," according to Networks Northwest.