For minority-serving colleges and their communities, the $787 billion economic stimulus package is not the only new funding game in town. Many also are focusing on the 2010 U.S. Census, with an eye toward ensuring accurate population counts so their communities can claim a fair share of education and other funds.

“Most of our colleges and universities are in communities with a high concentration of low-income residents,” says Dr. Antonio Flores, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) president. “If they benefit from the census, Hispanic-serving institutions benefit, too.”

The federal government conducts the census every 10 years to count everyone in the United States. But there are concerns that many low-income Americans and immigrants — both documented and undocumented — go uncounted.

“Last time in 2000, the census missed 3 million Americans and 1.4 million homes. Most of those who were missed were poor, and many were minorities,” says Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., a Congressional Black Caucus member and chairman of the House information and census subcommittee. “That is just not good enough.”

In addition to tabulating national and local populations, the census will affect virtually all aspects of government. From education to health care and community services, the population count will help determine how to spend about $300 billion in federal funding.

“For every person the bureau misses, their local community will lose thousands of dollars,” Clay says.

“For 10 years, and given the economic emergency we all face, no city or state can afford to miss anyone.” For its part, HACU is a “national partner” for the 2010 census. Flores says some critical requirements for an effective census include:

• Bilingual staff in “all aspects of the census process,” to help not only Hispanics but those who speak other languages;

• Formal links between the government and community groups to encourage U.S. residents to be counted; and