Audience members at a talk given by famed podcaster and author, Kate Bowler, in Fargo in 2024, found themselves in the midst of a financial controversy. This event, sponsored by Humanities North Dakota, came at a time when the organization was grappling with uncertainty about its future funding. This ambiguity resulted from sudden governmental action revoking nationwide humanities grants stretching over the next two years. This situation, however, improved when a federal judge hinted that the executive powers may have overstepped their bounds while making this decision.
Originating from a 1965 Congressional Act, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) emerged to promote an appreciation for arts, civics, and culture within the United States. Numerous state-level Humanities Councils, like Humanities North Dakota, heavily depend on the grants distributed by the NEH. It was this critical funding source that experienced an unexpected jolt in April 2024.
Earlier in the year, the federal government had reneged on the scheduled funding intended for 2024 and 2025, as mentioned in court documents. The NEH, explaining the sudden switch, emphasized the requirement to align resource allocations with the President’s evolving policy priorities. This put the humanitarian programming of 56 humanities councils, including Humanities North Dakota, in jeopardy.
The fallout of this financial decision hit Humanities North Dakota hard as it feared the loss of grant funding amounting to $600,000 intended for its 2024 fiscal year budget. Importantly, in response to their plight, generous private donors stepped forward with $300,000, ensuring that the organization could continue its work, albeit at a reduced programming scale.
In a pivotal decision, Oregon U.S. District Judge Michael Simon found the executive’s action to defund the humanities councils potentially unlawful. His order, despite not restoring the status quo, directed the government to halt any efforts to repurpose the funds. This was welcomed news to the collective of state councils, according to reports from the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
With the court’s suspension on repurposing the funds, the embattled councils can start to strategically plan for the uncertain future. Brenna Gerhardt, the executive director of Humanities North Dakota, spoke about resuming initiatives on hold, strengthening bonds with community partners, and making planned financial arrangements that consider the tumultuous past months and future commitments.
The revocation of grants was merely a part of the broader reforms implemented by the executive branch on the recommendation of the Department of Government Efficiency. Along with the significant funding reductions, about 65% of NEH’s staff was let go during Spring, as revealed by Judge Simon’s order.
The Federation of State Humanities Councils and a member, Oregon Humanities, positioned themselves against the Department of Government Efficiency and NEH in a lawsuit. The plaintiffs objected to the abrupt funding withdrawal, accusing the federal entities of acting without thought for the indispensable role of councils and exhibiting complete indifference towards their Congress-prescribed function of ensuring a nationwide reach for humanities programs.
In defense, NEH claimed their decision rested on the directive to discontinue programs that advanced themes like diversity, equity, and inclusion, disability rights, and environmental justice. These themes, as noted in an executive order by President Donald Trump earlier in the year, have been marked for elimination.
Judge Simon pointed out the contradicting federal mandate that encourages the NEH to allocate grants in favor of ahead programs that embrace American cultural diversity and significantly engage institutions or scholars traditionally left in the shadows. These cuts, according to Judge Simon, affected grassroots initiatives such as an Indigenous language conservation program in Alaska or an end-care department at an Ohio children’s hospital and even rural libraries in Oregon.
Judge Simon noted, despite being geographically spread out across major urban spaces or remote rural settings, all humanities funding came to a sudden standstill. Such a situation drew criticism and alarm amidst other humanities councils, highlighting the reach and impact of these cutbacks.
Phoebe Stein, the president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, commended Judge Simon’s decision with measured optimism. She noted that while the ruling provided a fleeting moment of victory, councils remain under-funded and the effects are already being felt, with job losses and crucial programs shuttered.
On one hand, NEH defends their decision with federal regulations that supposedly provide them the authority to withdraw grants, if the funded initiatives do not align with the agency’s current priorities. However, this argument is being challenged in court, bringing into focus the critical importance that these humanities programs have for the enrichment of American culture and societal diversity.
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