From Maryland Humanities - A Message from Our CEO on Federal Humanities Funding:

Dear Partners and Friends,

I want to share some important news regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), our primary source of federal funding.

What is happening?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) with the aim of substantially reducing its staff, cutting the agency’s grant programs, and rescinding grants that have already been awarded.  As of now, there has been no official Executive Order issued, but we are watching the situation closely. For reference, NEH, a small federal agency, has an annual appropriation of $203,000,000. This number may sound impressive to you, but to the federal budget it amounts to a rounding error. Yet, for every congressional district in the country including in Maryland, it has a huge impact!

Why is this important?
Approximately half of Maryland Humanities’ operating budget is federal funding that comes through NEH. With NEH’s investment, Maryland Humanities reaches audiences across all regions of the state—from rural communities on the Eastern Shore and in Mountain Maryland to urban centers in Baltimore and the DMV—strengthening educational opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and deepening public understanding. We are proud of the work we do across the state. Our work builds upon nearly five decades of service and an enduring commitment to advancing the humanities since they are essential to our collective well-being and democratic vitality. Sustaining this impact will require us to come together in new ways if federal support is lost.

What can you do?
Maryland Humanities is proud to work in partnership with the Federation of State Humanities Councils, our national membership body, to ensure a coordinated national effort with our 56 state and territorial humanities council partners. Together, we advocate for the continued investment that makes our work possible in communities across Maryland and the country.

Their call to action guide can be located here. . Please consider finding a way to protect the humanities councils and their work. 

And the best thing you can do? Stay connected! Watch for updates and action alerts in our emails and on our social media channels. Share our message with your communities. Your voice is vital in helping to sustain the programs that you love. 

Thank you for being there for us.

Sincerely,
Lindsey Baker
Chief Executive Officer
Maryland Humanities