Foundation Provides $15 Million in Urgent Grants to State Boards to Address NEH Funding Reductions
In an unexpected turn of events, the Mellon Foundation has stepped in to provide a lifeline for the Federation of State Humanities Councils (FSHC) and communities across the United States. The move comes in response to severe funding disruptions caused by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) cuts.
The Mellon Foundation announced it would provide $15 million in emergency funding to the FSHC, a membership organization established in 1977 to bring the humanities to every part of the country. This funding has been crucial for the operational integrity of museums, libraries, and historical societies across the US.
The funds will be distributed to state councils in all 50 states and six jurisdictions. Each state humanities council will receive a one-time grant of $200,000, totaling $11.2 million. The remaining $2.8 million are designated as challenge grants, with each council expected to get local donors to donate $50,000 worth of funding. The Mellon Foundation will match the donations made through the challenge grants.
The emergency funding has played a crucial role in stabilizing the FSHC amid the abrupt loss of NEH operating grants earlier this year. Without this funding, many humanities councils would have faced closures or deeper program cuts. Instead, it has allowed for continued work in communities, although full recovery remains uncertain due to ongoing limited federal appropriations.
Some of this funding includes challenge grants designed to encourage local fundraising and match donations, further helping councils build alternative funding streams. For instance, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council received up to $250,000 to shore up their unique needs.
The federal government explained that the budget cut from the NEH was necessary to safeguard its fiscal priorities and was being repurposed to fund a National Garden of American Heroes. The Trump administration recently announced a budget cut of $65 million from the NEH.
Phoebe Stein, the president of the FSHC, stated that the Mellon Foundation's support is a lifeline for communities across the country. Elizabeth Alexander, the president of the Mellon Foundation, echoed this sentiment, stating that the funding is essential for maintaining cultural dynamism and exchange, which is a fundamental part of American civic life.
Donations can be made via the FSHC website, offering an opportunity for individuals to support the continuation of these vital community programs. These include rural literacy initiatives, museum exhibitions, and cultural festivals.
In summary, the Mellon Foundation’s $15 million emergency funding has been a critical lifeline that has prevented closures and supported continued operations of state humanities councils nationwide while they navigate the aftermath of substantial NEH funding cuts. This funding has ensured that the humanities continue to thrive in communities across the US, providing a vital resource for education, cultural exchange, and civic engagement.
[1] Federation of State Humanities Councils. (2025). Mellon Foundation's $15 Million Emergency Funding for State Humanities Councils. Retrieved from www.statehumanities.org/mellon
[2] Mellon Foundation. (2025). Mellon Foundation Announces $15 Million Emergency Funding for State Humanities Councils. Retrieved from www.mellon.org/news/mellon-foundation-announces-15-million-emergency-funding-for-state-humanities-councils
[3] National Endowment for the Humanities. (2025). NEH Announces Budget Cuts, Repurposing of Funds for National Garden of American Heroes. Retrieved from www.neh.gov/news/neh-announces-budget-cuts-repurposing-funds-national-garden-american-heroes
[4] White House. (2025). Trump Administration Announces $65 Million Budget Cut from National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved from www.whitehouse.gov/news/trump-administration-announces-65-million-budget-cut-national-endowment-humanities
[5] National Council for the Humanities. (2025). Mellon Foundation's Emergency Funding Helps Councils Build Alternative Funding Streams. Retrieved from www.nationalcouncil.org/mellon-foundations-emergency-funding-helps-councils-build-alternative-funding-streams
