What's happening
- In early April, the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) slashed the budget and staff of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), effectively shutting down the agency.
- This included revoking the general operating funds—funds already appropriated by Congress—of all 56 state humanities councils for the current 2025 fiscal year. The only reason given for the terminations was “repurposing funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.”
- The Trump administration also released a budget proposal for 2026 that would functionally eliminate the NEH, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and several other federal agencies.
- No federal funding means 60 percent (33) of state and jurisdictional humanities councils could close as soon as June 30.
- Oregon Humanities receives nearly half of our total budget each year from NEH. It is our oldest, most reliable, and most flexible source of revenue, and it enables us to serve residents in all 36 counties in Oregon.
- As a result of these cuts, we have significantly less capacity to serve communities across Oregon through grants and programs.
What Oregon Humanities programs are affected by the cuts?
Our 2025 Public Program Grants, which were still under review by our selection committee, have been cancelled. We have also had to cancel three So Much Together workshops, in Newport and in Portland, and our summer Humanity in Perspective course in Portland. We have paused some of our Spanish-language programming.
Will Oregon Humanities still offer grants?
At this time, our Public Program Grants and Mini Grants for Rural Libraries are paused indefinitely. To receive updates, sign up for our grants newsletter.
How is Oregon Humanities responding to these cuts?
- Oregon Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils have jointly filed a lawsuit against the NEH and DOGE asking the court to restore unlawfully terminated grants and to ensure that congressional appropriations flow to humanities councils so they can fulfill their mandate to serve local communities as Congress intended. You can read the full complaint here.
- We're communicating with all our federal elected representatives, the Governor’s office, and other elected officials about what these cuts mean for Oregon. Across the board, they've expressed strong support.
- We’re making the case far and wide for the importance of our work and the work of our peers and partners across Oregon. This story has been covered locally by The Oregonian, KGW, OPB, The Lars Larson Show, and many other outlets, and nationally by The New York Times and NPR, among others.
- We’re seeking support from individuals and local and national philanthropies to make up the deficit in our current fiscal year and fund our operations in the future.
Will Oregon Humanities need to lay off staff?
Yes. Unfortunately, we have already laid off staff members, and all remaining staff are currently working reduced hours. Further reductions to staff positions and/or their hours may still occur.
What is the relationship between Oregon Humanities and the NEH?
Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We are one of fifty-six state and jurisdictional humanities councils—one in each state, territory, and Washington, DC—that receive funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities, as mandated by Congress.
What is a humanities council?
Humanities councils are independent nonprofit organizations that leverage federal funding—allocated through the National Endowment for the Humanities—to ensure communities throughout their state or territory have equal access to humanities programming and grant opportunities, regardless of geographic location or available resources. Each council is shaped by the specific needs of its communities. Councils collaborate closely with local partners to customize their grants and programs, aligning their work to the particular challenges and culture of each region they serve. Learn more about humanities councils.
How does funding from the NEH benefit Oregonians?
NEH funding helps preserve local culture and history, supports research at Oregon universities, enables community conversations about important issues, and creates educational opportunities for residents across the state. Since 2020, NEH has provided $16 million in funds to Oregon museums and cultural organizations, including the High Desert Museum, The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the City of Astoria.
What can people do to help?
Contacting your representatives to voice support for Oregon Humanities and the NEH is a great place to start. Making a gift to Oregon Humanities is another way to help. So is attending an event in your community (see our calendar for upcoming events).
You can also help us keep this story visible and relevant—by sharing news articles, posting on social media, and talking about the positive impacts that Oregon Humanities and humanities funding have had on your community. See our advocacy page for more information.