Known as the Count Me In campaign, this endeavor marks one of the largest investments in 2010 state census efforts by a group of philanthropic funders.

The 2010 census will help determine how the federal government distributes more than $400 billion a year to state and local governments, and for every person not counted, Illinois will lose $12,000 during the next 10 years.

Historically, low-income and minority communities have been undercounted in the once-a-decade survey, which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. With the sagging economy and billions of federal dollars at stake, all residents throughout the state will be deeply affected if the count is not accurate, not just underserved populations.

Census data is used by government officials to make decisions about where to build new roads, schools and hospitals and where to locate job training centers and services for the elderly. It’s also used for drawing congressional districts and monitoring and enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing, voting, lending and education.

“The 2010 census will profoundly impact the lives of all Illinois residents because it will determine spending on education, employment, public safety, the environment and a host of other issues, not to mention bedrock democracy issues like the size of the state’s congressional delegation,” stated Ellen S. Alberding, president of the Joyce Foundation. “The census truly has the potential to advance or delay progress in a number of areas all across the state.”

The Count Me In campaign will fund strategies designed to increase mail response rates significantly above 2000 levels in select Illinois communities. Activities such as public education campaigns, communications, community outreach, training, special events and organizing will be funded.

Nonprofits interested in responding to the Request for Proposal can visit here for an application or more information. Grant decisions will be made in early July.

Count Me In is funded by the Joyce Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, the Boeing Company, the Chicago Bar Foundation, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Steans Family Foundation and Woods Fund of Chicago.