The move would effectively defund state humanities councils, which provide vital programs and community grants in every state and territory and generate private investment in local economies.
(Media Contact: Hannah Hethmon, Communications Manager, Federation of State Humanities Councils hhethmon@statehumanities.org)
MAY 2, 2025 – As expected, the Trump administration today issued a 2026 budget proposal that would eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and other federal agencies that support culture and the arts. The move would have immediate repercussions for the 56 state and territorial humanities councils funded through NEH—nonprofits that for decades have supported humanities programs in local communities. Cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in early April already eliminated all FY2025 funding for humanities councils.
“The work of state and jurisdictional humanities councils includes programs that help veterans heal, teach children to read skillfully and think critically, and provide grants to grassroots, volunteer-driven projects that simply would not happen without the resources of humanities councils,” said Phoebe Stein, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation).
President Trump’s budget proposal would also eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The action repeats his approach during his first term in office, which was rebuffed by Congress. At that time, bipartisan support on Capitol Hill led to budget increases in funding to the NEH, NEA, and IMLS from 2017 to 2020.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with members of Congress to educate them on the impact and multiplier effect of these investments locally, and trust that they will continue to see the value of these small-but-mighty programs,” Stein said.
The news comes after the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency in early April canceled more than 1,400 of NEH’s open grants, many of which were projects-in-progress and simply awaiting reimbursement for funds already expended. This included state humanities councils, whose long-term collaborative relationships with the agency drive the majority of local investment in humanities in communities across the country.
“Humanities Washington’s work with rural communities would cease if these cuts came to pass,” said Julie Ziegler, CEO and Executive Director of Humanities Washington. Our speakers visit communities as small as Omak and Metaline Falls. Our Prime Time [literacy] program serves libraries in Asotin and Kennewick. Our apprenticeships program touches heritage artists in Wapato, Walla Walla, and more. There are not robust philanthropic resources to support rural work – that falls to the National Endowment for the Humanities and Humanities Washington and our colleagues at humanities councils across the country. This work is critical to ensuring communities are educated and equipped to work together to handle the challenges they face.”
Investment in humanities councils totaled $65 million in FY2024, part of Congress’ $207 million investment in the National Endowment for the Humanities. On April 2, a team from DOGE sent letters of cancellation via late-night emails from a non-governmental address, outside of the agency’s typical processes for communicating with grantees.
Upwards of $65 million was cut from humanities councils’ funding, leaving these locally-controlled nonprofits without reimbursement for expenses already approved and incurred. The move also put in immediate jeopardy hundreds of jobs at state humanities councils and millions of dollars in promised investment to communities that had been granted through rigorous, community-evaluated processes.
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About Humanities Councils
There are 56 humanities councils—one in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. From Alaska to Alabama, they serve nearly every district in the US. As independent nonprofits, councils can reach communities of all sizes and geographies. These nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. For over five decades, councils have received federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
About the Federation of State Humanities Councils
Founded in 1977, the Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation) is the membership organization of the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. The Federation supports, connects, and amplifies the work and voices of our members, demonstrating councils’ value for communities and their collective impact on civic health and cultural vibrancy. The Federation envisions a fully-resourced, inclusive, and thriving humanities council network.
