The George Gund Foundation is encouraging nonprofit organizations to attend a Census Rally March 8 and become involved in the 2010 census.

Census materials, as well as information on mini-grant opportunities, will be available at the Census Rally from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cleveland Foodbank, 15500 South Waterloo Road in Cleveland.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown will talk about the impact of the census on federal funds, political representation and infrastructure investment. It is estimated that for every 100 people not counted during the census, Greater Cleveland  will lose $1.2 million over the next decade in federally-funded programs such as Head Start, transit, public housing and community development block grants.

The free event is open to all nonprofits, regardless of size or type of programming.

Additional information on the census and the role nonprofits can play is available at:

What’s Happening in Cleveland’s Neighborhoods?

Download a Free Census Toolkit for your Organization

Countdown to the Census: Effective Messaging and Mobilization Strategies for Nonprofits”