Mellon Foundation Commits $15 Million to Humanities Councils
May, 3 2025
On April 29, the Andrew W. 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 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 the South Dakota Humanities Council.
SDHC Executive Director Christina Oey expressed deep gratitude for this “extraordinary” gift, which will help to support operations at state humanities councils nationwide as they fight for the restoration of their Congressionally appropriated funding.
“Thanks to the Mellon Foundation’s generosity, SDHC is receiving $200,000 in critical support at a time of real need,” Oey said. “But private philanthropy cannot replace public funding. We urgently need Congress to release the funds it has already appropriated to ensure that communities across our state continue to benefit from the vital work of the humanities.”
Mellon’s investment comes at a critical moment when $65 million in federal support for state humanities councils has been eliminated as a result of cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities. On April 2, SDHC received notice that all its grant funding through NEH had been cancelled effective immediately, a loss of $950,000.
The grant from Mellon means an immediate $200,000 for SDHC and an additional $50,000 available in matching grants. Any donations received by SDHC starting April 29, 2025, count towards the match. Members of the public can donate to SDHC by visiting https://sdhumanities.org/donate/.
Without immediate intervention, many state councils face steep reductions—or even closure—jeopardizing the vital cultural programming that Americans in states across the country rely on and the jobs that the humanities support. This emergency assistance from the Mellon Foundation will strengthen and preserve the humanities councils as the Federation works alongside the councils to restore permanent public funding and secure further private support.
“This is more than a grant—it’s a lifeline for communities across the country who rely on their humanities councils’ programs and grants to fill critical needs and enrich their lives,” said Phoebe Stein, President of the Federation of State Humanities Councils. “Mellon’s support allows us to not only preserve this vital network—it helps ensure that everyday Americans can thrive through lifelong learning, connection, and understanding of one another.”
Each humanities council will receive an immediate unrestricted grant of $200,000 outright, with an additional $50,000 available as a Challenge Fund to help drive direct donations from individuals, businesses, and philanthropies in their local communities.
“We believe that humanities councils are essential pillars of cultural life in their states and territories, serving local communities, building programs and partnerships, and bringing people together to find common ground,” said Executive Director of Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Miranda Restovic and Executive Director of Mass Humanities Brian Boyles. “Through this visionary award, the Mellon Foundation is providing critical support to preserve jobs and protect infrastructure as we confront the emergencies created by the termination of our NEH funding for 2025.”
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).
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.
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.
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