Charlotte, NC May 1, 2025 — The Mellon Foundation has made a $15 million emergency funding commitment to the Federation of State Humanities Councils (the Federation) 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 North Carolina 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 (NEH). On April 2, North Carolina Humanities received notice that all its grant funding through NEH had been cancelled effective immediately, a loss of approximately $1.6 million annually
The grant from Mellon means an immediate $200,000 for North Carolina Humanities and an additional $50,000 available in matching grants. Any donations received by North Carolina Humanities starting April 29, 2025, count towards the match. Members of the public may donate by visiting www.nchumanities.org and clicking ‘Support.’
“This funding provides a vital bridge for our organization but does not fill the gap created by recent federal funding cuts,” said Sherry Paula Watkins, executive director of North Carolina Humanities. “We will continue to advocate for the restoration of annual federal funding for the nation’s 56 councils to fulfill the objective of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 in which Congress declared: ‘The arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.’”
Watkins continued: “Through this visionary award, the Mellon Foundation is providing NC Humanities and all state councils critical support to preserve jobs and protect infrastructure as we navigate the new landscape created by the termination of our NEH funding for 2025.”
About North Carolina Humanities: Through public humanities programs and grantmaking, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more visit www.nchumanities.org. Any views, findings, conclusions, opinions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of North Carolina Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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.
