Grant writers, nonprofit executive directors and development professionals have a special opportunity next month to learn the tricks and techniques of how to extract meaningful demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to improve grant proposals. Learn more in today's post.

Hear ye, hear ye! Strong grant proposals are made stronger when they include solid and up-to-date data.

Grant writers, nonprofit executive directors and development professionals have a special opportunity November 16 to learn the tricks and techniques of how to extract meaningful demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This is your chance to learn what the latest Census data are revealing about demographic, social and economic trends in Alaska and how those data can be used to make the case for new investments!

Rasmuson Foundation has teamed up with Michael Burns, the Deputy Regional Director of the United States Census Bureau Pacific Division, and Linda Clark, Area Manager for the Seattle Region, to offer two free workshops in Anchorage on November 16.

First, a morning session, will provide an overview on the types of demographic and household economic data that are available from the Census and the American Community Survey and how these data can be applied to grant writing for community applications. Examples will include how to grab demographic profiles of your community quickly, covering:

  • General Population Profiles
  • Social and Economic Profiles
  • Housing Profiles

Second, the afternoon session, is a deep-dive, three-hour, hands-on computer training on how to access American Factfinder on the U.S. Census Bureau’s website to extract specific demographic and economic tables to support grants and show to use Census Data for community applications. The computer workshop will provide information for understanding, locating, and using the latest 2010 Census data. Through exercises and hands-on demos, participants will improve their skills in using www.census.gov and the new American FactFinder system. This program is aimed at those persons whose main interest is in small or sub-city areas such as tracts, block groups, blocks, etc. It provides experience in analyzing census geography, locating data for small areas and preparing small area demographic profiles. This workshop is designed to provide general information about the use of census data in Federal fund distribution. Subjects include income, poverty, education, labor force, disability, language spoken, migration, journey to work, and housing. This workshop is for planners, analysts, administrators and grant writers. Users will learn how to extract and download data and how to do simple thematic mapping of data.

Date: Friday, November 16

Session 1: from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Session 2: from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Location:

The Camp Fire conference room is located in Anchorage at 161 Klevin Street. For free online registration information and presenter bios, click here.

Bring your laptop. Wireless access will be available. Additional information is available by calling The Foraker Group at (907) 743-1200.  Both sessions are filling quickly so please reserve your place soon!