This investment by the Mellon Foundation will help stabilize many councils after the sudden cancellation of federal operating grants by NEH in early April.
Today, the Mellon Foundation announced a $15 million emergency funding commitment to the Federation of State Humanities Councils in response to federal funding cuts that have devastated state humanities councils. This emergency funding will help provide support to all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils across the United States, including up to $250,000 for each council.
Mellon’s investment comes after $65 million in federal support for state humanities councils has been eliminated as a result of cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). On April 2, Virginia Humanities received notice that all its grant funding through NEH had been cancelled effective immediately, a loss of nearly $2 million for the current and upcoming fiscal year.
The grant from Mellon means an immediate $200,000 for Virginia Humanities and an additional $50,000 available in in the form of a challenge grant.
“For more than 50 years, humanities councils have served as the backbone of American cultural life, connecting people through programs that illuminate, honor, and celebrate our shared history at the local level,” said Phillip Brian Harper, Mellon’s Program Director for Higher Learning. “The work of these councils touches every aspect of communities across our country. This grant ensures that these irreplaceable institutions can continue their mission.”
It’s heartening to know so many individuals and charitable foundations still believe in the humanities and the power of human connection.
Matthew Gibson
Virginia Humanities’ executive director Matthew Gibson said the funds come at an important time. “We’re facing immediate and significant losses to programs that uplift and celebrate the culture and stories of all Virginians. If you’ve taken your family to a local museum, visited a historic site, or attended a talk at your local library in the last few years, I guarantee you’ve experienced a program supported by Virginia Humanities. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the Mellon Foundation. It’s heartening to know so many individuals and charitable foundations still believe in the humanities and the power of human connection. We need their and your support now more than ever.”
Any donations received by Virginia Humanities starting April 29, 2025, count towards the Mellon Foundation match. Members of the public can donate to by visiting VirginiaHumanities.org/give.
About Virginia Humanities
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We’re headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but we serve the entire state. We aim to share the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to share their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we’ll all come to know and understand each other a little better. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. To learn more, visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We’re headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but we serve the entire state. We aim to share the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to share their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we’ll all come to know and understand each other a little better. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. To learn more, visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
About Humanities Councils
There are 56 humanities councils—one in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. From Alaska to Alabama, they serve nearly every district in the US. As independent nonprofits, councils can reach communities of all sizes and geographies. These nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. For over five decades, councils have received federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
There are 56 humanities councils—one in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. From Alaska to Alabama, they serve nearly every district in the US. As independent nonprofits, councils can reach communities of all sizes and geographies. These nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations were established in 1971 by Congress to make outstanding public humanities programming accessible to everyday Americans. For over five decades, councils have received federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
About the Federation of State Humanities Councils
Founded in 1977, the Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation) is the membership organization of the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. The Federation supports, connects, and amplifies the work and voices of our members, demonstrating councils’ value for communities and their collective impact on civic health and cultural vibrancy. The Federation envisions a fully-resourced, inclusive, and thriving humanities council network.
Founded in 1977, the Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation) is the membership organization of the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. The Federation supports, connects, and amplifies the work and voices of our members, demonstrating councils’ value for communities and their collective impact on civic health and cultural vibrancy. The Federation envisions a fully-resourced, inclusive, and thriving humanities council network.
About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. We believe that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty and empowerment that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and guided by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. We believe that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty and empowerment that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and guided by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.