Kate Bowler, a popular podcaster and author, recently delivered a keynote speech at an event hosted by Humanities North Dakota in 2024. The organization has expressed optimism about its financial standing following a federal judge’s suggestion that the cancellation of two years’ worth of nation-wide humanities grants was an executive overreach. The National Endowment for the Humanities plays a major role in the fiscal well-being of Humanities North Dakota, having been established by Congress in 1965 to bolster civic, artistic, and cultural education across the nation.
Humanities North Dakota is part of a network of 56 humanities councils, all of which depend heavily on the National Endowment for the Humanities for their funding. However, a sudden reversal in the distribution of funding in April of 2024 came as a major shock. Originally allocated by Congress for the fiscal years of 2024 and 2025, hundreds of millions destined for humanities councils like Humanities North Dakota were suddenly withheld, according to court documents.
The official statement from the National Endowment for the Humanities indicated a shift in its funding priorities towards supporting the Presidential agenda. The impact on Humanities North Dakota was substantial. An estimated $600,000 in grant funding it was set to receive for the fiscal year 2024 became a casualty of the cuts.
To cope with the financial shortfall, the organization managed to gather $300,000 in private donations. Despite this, the organization admitted that it would need to scale back its range of programming due to the withdrawal of the grant. The scenario it found itself in painted a gloomy picture of its immediate future.
However, there was a small glimmer of hope when Oregon U.S. District Judge Michael Simon released an order stating that the decision to withdraw the funding from humanities councils was likely unlawful, hinting at the possibility of an eventual overturn. Although this does not restore the previous grant allocation, it temporarily prevents the federal government from reallocating the funds, a point reinforced by the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
The import of this decision was echoed by Brenna Gerhardt, executive director of Humanities North Dakota. With the court’s conclusion, she indicated, the organization would start revitalizing suspended programs, re-establishing connections with community partners, and making prudent fiscal choices. However, she recognized the need to balance the financial uncertainty wrought by recent months with the organization’s enduring commitments.
This unique situation was initiated by a wave of program terminations within executive branch departments, requested by the Department of Government Efficiency. As well as the significant budget cuts, around 65% of staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities were laid off during the spring, as disclosed in Judge Simon’s order.
The lawsuit resulting in Judge Simon’s decision was directed at the Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities. It was initiated by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon Humanities, a member organization. They argued that the abrupt cancellation of funding occurred without reasoned evaluation, and completely neglected the congressionally defined role of councils, which is ensuring the reach of humanities programs throughout the nation.
The plaintiffs’ complaint also highlighted the alleged grounds for grant cancellations. According to their contention, the National Endowment of the Humanities pulled back on grants that aimed at promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, disability accommodation, and environmental justice, areas allegedly targeted for reduction as per an executive order by President Donald Trump implemented earlier.
Judge Simon highlighted that such an action contradicted the Congressional intent for use of the grant money by the National Endowment for the Humanities. By law, the agency is directed to support programs that uphold the broad spectrum of American cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is required to give particular focus to scholars and institutions traditionally underrepresented.
Alongside the legal arguments, the tangible effects of the funding cuts were revealed. Simon highlighted how the cuts disrupted initiatives such as an Indigenous language preservation program in Alaska, a terminal care department in an Ohio-based children’s medical facility, and library services in rural Oregon.
Judge Simon underscored the severity of the situation, noting the stark halt of humanities funding that impacted regions across the nation, from bustling urban centers to isolated rural communities. He emphasized how the cuts have halted the progression of humanities across the country.
Phoebe Stein, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, echoed these sentiments. Despite celebrating Judge Simon’s decision, she highlighted that the current limitation of funding still left humanities councils across the nation financially strained, with some even being forced to lay off staff and terminate essential programs.
Meanwhile, it was argued in court by the National Endowment for the Humanities that it’s within their rights under federal regulations to terminate grant awards as they see fit, if a grant is deemed not to support agency priorities. The outcome and lasting effects of such an argument could be far-reaching, setting a precedent for future grant allocations and cancellations.
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