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Save Humanities Kansas Funding

Humanities Kansas (HK), along with 55 state, jurisdictional, and territorial humanities councils, recently received notice that our general operating grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been terminated by DOGE under the direction of President Trump. 

What does this mean for Kansas? The cuts will bring the momentum of HK's Movement of Ideas to a standstill. The impact will be felt by HK, along with the partners, grantees, and Kansans who turn to the humanities to connect with stories, ideas, and one another. HK will be forced to significantly scale back or cut grants, programs, and operations and Kansas cultural organizations will lose access to free humanities resources and grant opportunities.

By Kansans, For Kansans

Humanities Kansas is the only statewide provider of humanities resources in Kansas. Last year, HK supported 488 events in 126 communities. More than 607,000 Kansans engaged with thoughtful and important programming exploring Kansas stories. That's nearly 1 in 5 Kansans in communities large and small connecting over stories of our state at libraries, museums, senior centers, community halls and church basements. "For a small nonprofit to be able to participate is a true blessing and increases our knowledge of history," shared one project director. Who else provides opportunities like these? If we don't do it, who will? 

126 communities in Kansas were served by Humanities Kansas funding in 2024. 

The funding is at risk, but there are steps you can take now to save humanities funding. 

• Send a Message. Contact your local members of Congress to demand restored funding for the humanities. You can use this customizable email form, use your member of Congress's webform, or make a call to your representative and senators.
• Spread the Word. Share this call to action with your networks. Information about the ways HK and NEH support Kansas communities can be found on HK's Impact page. 

Explore Impact Page

• Tell your story. Submit stories of how HK or NEH funding has impacted you and your community to Tracy Quillin, Associate Director, at tracy@humanitieskansas.org.
• Share HK's social media graphics to raise awareness.
  • I Heart Humanities
  • Keep NEH Funding in Kansas!
  • Stories Carry Our Culture. Ideas Change the World. 
• Contact the Media. Share this press release with your local media and add information about ways that this funding loss impacts your community. 
• Donate. Continue to support the preservation of our state and nation’s history and culture with a private donation to Humanities Kansas. 

Donate

Funding updates

• HK Funding Update, 4/3/25

Press Releases

• Federal Cuts Put Humanities at Risk in Kansas (April 4, 2025)

In the News

• The N.E.H. Does What Republicans Always Wanted. DOGE Slashed It Anyway. (New York Times, April 7, 2025)
• Trump and DOGE actions mean Humanities Kansas will cut or scale back programs (Topeka Capital-Journal, April 4, 2025)
• Cultural groups across U.S. told that federal humanities grants are terminated (National Public Radio, April 3, 2025)
• Humanities Kansas suspending some programs as federal funding cuts emerge; longterm survival in question (Lawrence Journal-World, April 8, 2025)

• Canceled Humanities Grants to Help Pay for Trump’s ‘Garden of Heroes’ (New York Times, April 10, 2025)

• Federal cuts raise challenges for Watkins Museum, Humanities Kansas (The Lawrence Times, April 11, 2025)
• Plans to celebrate America's 250th anniversary were underway. Then came the federal funding cuts. (Associated Press, April 14, 2025)

What Kansans are Saying

• Hometown Humanities in Hays - Brandon Hines, Director of Hays Public Library
• Hometown Humanities in Fort Scott - Kirk Sharp, Director of the Gordon Parks Museum

FAQ – Humanities Kansas and NEH Funding
 

• What is the relationship between Humanities Kansas and the NEH? 
  Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit. Since 1972, HK has been a state-based affiliate of the NEH. As NEH’s designated state partner, Humanities Kansas (like all state humanities councils) receives an annual operating grant from NEH through their Federal-State Partnership division. HK periodically applies for other competitive grants from NEH as well. All designated state humanities councils also provide a variety of reports to NEH on our council activities and outcomes, and has a site visit from NEH every five years.
• How much of HK's funding comes from the NEH?

  Congress determines both the NEH’s overall annual budget, and the portion that is designated to the Federal-State Partnership budget line (FY 24 was $207 million total for NEH, and $65 million of that for the state councils). Funding for every state council is determined by a formula that takes population into consideration. 
  
  HK receives income from diverse public and private sources.
  The National Endowment for the Humanities remained the single most important source of support in 2024, providing 79% of HK income. The private sector provided 11% and 8% was provided by other income, including investment income and miscellaneous income. The State of Kansas provided 5% of HK’s support. 

• What will happen in Kansas if NEH funding goes away? 
  Without funding from the NEH, the impacts in Kansas will be swift and severe:

  • HK will be forced to significantly scale back or cut grants, programs, and operations. 

  • Kansas cultural organizations will lose access to free humanities resources and grant opportunities. This will significantly impact small nonprofits, local museums, public libraries, and senior centers in communities of all sizes, but especially rural communities where 62% of all HK events take place.

  • Veterans inititatives that preserve stories of service and sacrifice will be scaled back. 

  • Free community history resources for the Kansas communities to participate in the upcoming milestone anniversaries, including the 250th anniversary of the country's founding, will be distrupted or discontinued.

  • Opportunities for community members to experience social connection through free history and literature events will be reduced. Participation in these events has been shown to alleviate social isolation and loneliness. 

• What does HK plan to do in response? 

  The HK board and staff are assessing the evolving situation closely, and will make prudent financial and operational adjustments as necessary.
  
  At the moment, HK is still in operation, although grants, the Talk About Literature in Kansas program, and the Big Idea have been suspended. We value the partnerships we have that make humanities programs all over the state possible, and will do everything we can to preserve those.

• How can Kansans help?

  • The most urgent priority, and the way people can help the most right now, is to contact your members of Congress and ask them to help preserve NEH and the funding for the state humanities councils. Take Action Now

  • Stay tuned in to our communications and watch for other calls to action.

  • Share our message with others who care about the value of the humanities in our lives, and ask them to act as well.

  • Consider your level of financial support of Humanities Kansas. Your gifts make a real difference.