The fund will invest a total of $150,000 in 22 media organizations that serve historically undercounted communities

Today, the City of Seattle announced the recipients of the 2020 Census Ethnic and Minority Media Fund. With a total investment of $150,000, 22 media organizations will receive grants to educate and engage historically undercounted communities about participation in the upcoming U.S. 2020 Census. These organizations will be working in coordination with the Regional Census Fund grantees to ensure the City informs and encourages all residents to complete the Census.   

“The 2020 Census is critical to ensuring we receive federal resources that our communities rely on. In Seattle, we’re working hard to make sure our historically undercounted communities can know their rights and be counted in the 2020 Census,” said Mayor Durkan. “Seattle’s ethnic media are trusted by the communities they serve, and this fund will help them do the important work of reaching out to community, building trust, and preparing for the 2020 Census.” 

Historically, the Census has undercounted many communities, including Black, Latinx, immigrant and refugee communities, low-income residents, children under five, LGBTQ+ residents and others. Seattle receives significant federal funding based on Census data that supports infrastructure (like schools and roads), along with community and social programs (like Medicaid).  

“Our city’s ethnic and minority media organizations have the deep trust and direct connections to our underrepresented communities,” said Andres Mantilla, director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. “They understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities in their communities and have the innate ability to bridge any barriers to encourage Census participation.” 

The proposals were reviewed by a panel of local representatives from diverse perspectives and populations. This program is funded by the City of Seattle and the Washington State Office of Financial Management. 

“La Raza del Noroeste is extremely grateful to the City of Seattle for taking us into account to work collaboratively to make the 2020 Census a success,” said Diana Piñon, reporter with La Raza del Noroeste. “As a reliable source of news for our Hispanic/Latino community, it is extremely important to educate and motivate them to participate. We are excited to empower our community.” 

Visit seattlecensus.org for more information about Seattle’s preparation for Census 2020.  

Census Ethnic and Minority Media Fund Award Recipients 

• Actidud Latina 
• Alefba Group- communication committee 
• Channel A Tv 
• Diaspora Kikuyu Media and Juma Communications 
• El Rey 1360 
• First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME)  
• International Examiner 
• JoySeattle News 
• KVRU 105.7 FM 
• La Raza del Noroeste/Sound Publishing 
• Latino Northwest Communications/ Univision Seattle 
• Muslim Community and Neighborhood Association MCNA 
• Seattle Chinese Post, Inc 
• Seattle Chinese Radio 
• Seattle Gay News 
• Seattle Korean Weekly 
• Seattle Medium 
• Soy Source  
• Tasveer 
• Tu Decides Media 
• Tu Familia FM 
• Washington African Media Association (WAMA)