In 2024, Humanities North Dakota hosted author and podcaster Kate Bowler for a talk session, highlighting the organization’s commitment to promoting arts and cultural education. The financial sustainability of the organization was questioned following a decision by a government executive to cancel two fiscal years of nationwide humanities grants. The National Endowment for the Humanities, an agency established by Congress in 1965, was the primary source of funding for Humanities North Dakota and 55 other humanities councils around the country.
With the sudden withdrawal of funds in early April, hundreds of millions intended for these councils from Congress’s budget for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years were revoked. The National Endowment for the Humanities clarified its decision by stating that the funds were redirected in line with the current President’s objectives. Humanities North Dakota was particularly affected, as it was at risk of losing a $600,000 grant dedicated for the upcoming fiscal year.
In response to the financial predicament, Humanities North Dakota relied on a $300,000 donation from private contributors to maintain its services. However, due to the significant grant cutbacks, the organization admitted to having to scale back its programs. Meanwhile, the executive branch’s controversial decision to withdraw funds from humanities councils was deemed unlawful by U.S. District Judge Michael Simon of Oregon, suggesting probable reversal in the foreseeable future.
Although Judge Simon’s ruling did not prevent the immediate retraction of the grants, it prevented these funds from being utilized in other governmental areas. This verdict was confirmed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Following the court ruling, Brenna Gerhardt, the Executive Director of Humanities North Dakota, announced tentative plans to revive suspended projects, reconnect with community associates, and reevaluate financial strategies in accordance with the organization’s long-term vision.
The executive branch’s grant termination was part of a sweeping termination of programs by governmental agencies, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency. The National Endowment for the Humanities, subjected to these austerity measures, experienced a drastic reduction in its workforce of roughly 65% during spring, as per Judge Simon’s report.
Judge Simon’s ruling was pivotal in the legal case launched against the Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon Humanities. In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed that the government’s arbitrary termination of the funding failed to acknowledge the congressionally sanctioned role of the councils in ensuring nationwide access to humanities programs.
The official statement from the National Endowment for the Humanities stated that the grants were cancelled because they allegedly supported themes like diversity, equity, inclusion, disability rights and environmental justice, which were deemed controversial under an executive order by President Donald Trump earlier that year. Judge Simon contested this stance, emphasizing that such an approach contradicted the manner in which Congress intended the grants to be implemented.
According to federal law, the agency should ideally prioritize programs that ‘mirror the diversity and the richness of our American cultural heritage,’ and place a specific emphasis on scholars and institutions which have been traditionally underrepresented. The abrupt funding halt had a ripple effect, disrupting various initiatives across the country, including an Indigenous language preservation scheme in Alaska, a pediatric department focused on end-of-life care in Ohio, and a network of rural libraries in Oregon, as noted in Simon’s verdict.
Judge Simon’s ruling also underscored the impact of the financial crisis on the nationwide humanities community, observing that ‘humanities funding came to a screeching halt’ across all demographic areas, from the busiest urban centers to many rural communities. Phoebe Stein, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, applauded Judge Simon’s verdict but pointed out that it did not immediately solve the funding shortfall faced by many councils.
Her statement highlighted the unfortunate repercussions of the funding cuts, including job losses and the discontinuation of essential programs. At the same time, the National Endowment for the Humanities defended their actions in court, citing federal regulations that permit the organizations to terminate grants at their discretion if they believe the grant does not align with the agency’s priorities.
The post Humanities North Dakota in Financial Crisis After Grant Withdrawal appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
