The Mellon Foundation has released $15 million in emergency funds to various humanities councils across the US.
The funds would be given to the Federation of State Humanities Councils (FSHC), a federal membership group. The FSHC would, in turn, disburse the amount to the state humanities councils in 50 states and 6 American jurisdictions. Each council would receive a direct grant of $200,000. This would amount to $12.8 million; the remaining $2.8 million is earmarked for a special grants program. Under this program, each member council would have to raise $50,000 from local patrons; if accomplished, the foundation would then match this amount.
The news comes almost a month after the funding of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) saw drastic budget cuts, under which it had to cancel approved grants to recipients. It was later reported that $18 million of the “saved funds” of the NEH were getting diverted towards building “Garden of Heroes” – an ambitious project of President Donald Trump in the White House that would feature sculptures of American figures of note. The abrupt funding cuts by the NEH left the state humanities councils, as well as various museums, libraries, and public spaces, in dire need. Some of them even faced the threat of closure.
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At such a time, the emergency grant by the Mellon Foundation came as a much-needed lifeline. Phoebe Stein, FSHC president, said: “This is more than a grant—it’s a lifeline for communities across the country who rely on their humanities councils’ programs and grants to fill critical needs and enrich their lives. Mellon’s support allows us to not only preserve this vital network—it helps ensure that everyday Americans can thrive through lifelong learning, connection, and understanding of one another.”
