The Census Counts People. Our Democracy Depends on It.

On September 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau published proposed changes to the questions that will be on the 2030 census that include who will be counted and questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. At The Fund, we believe accurate, complete, and meaningful data is essential to building communities where everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. 

That is why we submitted public comments urging the Department of Commerce and Census Bureau to withdraw these proposals. 

Why does the Census matter? 

The Census is about much more than a headcount. Census data helps determine political representation, federal funding, infrastructure investments, community planning, and the resources available to communities across the country. 

When people are left out of the count, communities are left out of decisions that affect their lives and that matters deeply to our work at The Fund. Women and girls are often disproportionately affected when systems fail to meet the needs of their communities. Accurate data helps us understand where inequities exist, identify who is being left behind, and advocate for policies and investments that create better outcomes. 

Current Proposal #1: Who gets counted? 

The proposed rule would change the way people are counted for congressional apportionment by limiting the population count to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders), excluding other foreign citizens, even those with visas and lawful status, and undocumented immigrants.

The Constitution is clear: representatives are to be apportioned among the states based on the “whole number of persons” in each state. 

People who live in our communities are part of our communities—regardless of immigration status. They work, attend school, raise families, contribute to local economies, pay taxes, build homes, shop at local businesses, and travel on the same roads as everyone else. 

Excluding over 16 million people from the Census would have consequences far beyond congressional representation. It could affect funding, infrastructure, planning, public services, and the ability of communities to accurately understand and respond to their residents’ needs. 

Current Proposal #2: What identities are counted? 

The proposed changes would also prohibit questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. At the Fund, we know what data tells a story - and we also know that whose story gets counted matters.

Women and girls do not experience the world in the same way. Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and other aspects of identity can shape access to health care, education, economic opportunity, safety, and other resources. Understanding these differences allows policymakers, nonprofits, researchers, funders, and communities to identify inequities and develop solutions that actually meet people's needs. 

If we stop collecting meaningful demographic data, we make it harder to see inequity—and therefore harder to change it. 

While these proposals have a direct connection to our work advancing gender equity, their impact extends far beyond women and girls. That is why The Fund is calling on the Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau to withdraw the proposed changes published on September 10, 2026. 

Accurate data is not just about numbers. It is about people, representation, resources, and the opportunity for anyone facing gender discrimination to thrive.