Humanities North Dakota has received a boost in its financial outlook following a recent federal court ruling regarding nationwide humanities grants. This comes after a U.S. District Judge in Oregon determined that the executive branch’s decision to cancel two years of funding was unlawful, paving the way for potential restoration of vital grants.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), established by Congress in 1965, plays a crucial role in supporting civics, arts, and cultural education throughout the United States. A network of 56 state humanities councils, including Humanities North Dakota, relies significantly on these federal funds.
In early April, the federal government announced sweeping funding cuts, withdrawing hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked by Congress for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The NEH claimed these funds were being redirected to align with the President’s agenda, resulting in a significant financial blow to many humanities councils.
In Oregon, for example, nearly 45% of Oregon Humanities’ budget was affected by these cuts, forcing the organization to cancel its Humanity in Perspective program, a long-standing initiative that provided free college-credit humanities courses to low-income adults.
Humanities North Dakota faced a potential loss of $600,000 for the 2024 fiscal year, sparking concerns about its ability to continue operations. Although the organization managed to secure $300,000 in private donations, it was still challenged to adjust programming in response to the funding uncertainty.
In a significant turn of events, judge Michael Simon issued a ruling indicating that the federal government’s decision to defund humanities councils violated the law, which may lead to an overturning of these cuts.
While Simon’s order does not restore the defunded grant money, it momentarily prevents the federal government from reallocating those funds elsewhere. This has instilled hope in many councils, including Humanities North Dakota.
Brenna Gerhardt, the executive director of Humanities North Dakota, expressed optimism about the ruling, stating that the organization would begin to resume previously paused initiatives, reconnect with community partners, and make sound financial decisions based on both recent uncertainties and long-term commitments.
The funding cancellations were part of a broader initiative to streamline government spending, as directed by the Department of Government Efficiency. Alongside the funding cuts, the NEH impacted its workforce, laying off approximately 65% of its staff, a measure that has further strained the organization’s capacity.
The lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency and the NEH was spearheaded by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon Humanities. They argued that the federal government abruptly canceled funding without sufficient reasoning and failed to acknowledge the councils’ mandated role in ensuring humanities programs reach all corners of the United States.
The NEH contended that the funding pull was due to a focus on subjects like diversity, equity, and inclusion, which align poorly with the priorities outlined in an executive order by President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Judge Simon’s ruling highlighted a stark contradiction between the actions of the NEH and the will of Congress, which intended for the agency to support programs reflecting the country’s diverse cultural heritage. He emphasized that federal law specifically instructs the NEH to give special attention to traditionally underrepresented scholars and educational institutions.
Simon also noted how the funding cuts have disrupted various initiatives nationwide, including an Indigenous language preservation program in Alaska, an end-of-life care department in an Ohio children’s hospital, and support for rural libraries in Oregon.
In response to the ruling, Phoebe Stein, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, acknowledged the positive impact of the decision while also cautioning that many councils currently remain underfunded. The harsh reality is that numerous organizations have had to lay off staff and cancel essential programs due to the prior cuts.
As the situation continues to evolve, the NEH maintains that its regulations allow for the termination of grants if they do not align with the agency’s priorities. However, the recent court ruling could mark a turning point for humanities councils as they navigate the complexities of federal funding and program support.
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