DOGE Terminates NEH Statutory State Funding to Maryland Humanities

The future of Maryland Humanities is at risk due to the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). These drastic reductions threaten the foundation of Maryland's ability to preserve and promote its very unique history and culture.

The NEH serves as the principal funder supporting Maryland Humanities general operating expenses as well as their programming. Created by an act of Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Humanities has been reaffirmed by Republican and Democratic Presidents and legislators for the past 60 years. DOGE’s reductions to the NEH budget and workforce will block the agency’s ability to carry out Congressional intent, particularly inhibiting the function and impact of the 56 state and territorial humanities councils - of which Maryland Humanities is one.

The loss of NEH funding to Maryland Humanities will decimate their ability to serve communities across the state, eliminating programs that are essential to each region’s cultural infrastructure. Should these cuts come to pass, Maryland Humanities would struggle to continue serving every county including Baltimore City with the far-reaching, high quality programming that has characterized their over 50 year history.

“This is not just a budget cut—it’s a dismantling of the cultural infrastructure that binds our state together,” said Lindsey Baker, CEO of Maryland Humanities. “For more than 50 years, we’ve brought history, literature, and civic dialogue to every corner of Maryland. Without NEH support, the programs that connect us to our past, to each other, and to the promise of our future are in jeopardy.”

Among the devastating losses is the potential end of Maryland History Day, One Maryland One Book, and Museum on Main Street programming. Just in 2024, Maryland Humanities History Day staff supported over 28,000 middle and high school students, provided professional development workshops and resources to over 500 teachers, partnered with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and the Juvenile Services Education Program (JSEP) to ensure juvenile student participation, and provided critical funding to regions throughout the state of Maryland in support of the statewide competition.

In addition to fostering critical thinking, teaching research skills, and providing an opportunity for students to strengthen their public speaking abilities, Maryland History Day is a pillar of our state with hundreds of residents and professionals serving as History Day judges. 

For the past 17 years Maryland Humanities has offered the One Maryland One Book initiative. Since 2008, this Maryland Humanities program has distributed 125,352 books to Maryland's libraries, high schools, colleges and universities, and correctional facilities. Fostering community, encouraging dialogue, and cementing unity across the state, the One Maryland One Book program features an author who makes various stops throughout the state engaging with residents in both our rural and metropolitan communities.

Maryland Humanities announced the 2025 One Maryland One Book author just last month. Kin: Rooted in Hope is a work of poetry written by Maryland author Carol Boston Weatherford and is illustrated by her son Jeffrey Boston Weatherford. A combination of history, art, and personal genealogy depicts the author’s search for her family tree leading her to ancestors who happen to be some of Maryland’s founders. Through art and poetic voice, Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford impart their family’s lives and offer a view into Maryland’s African American history. 

“Kin: Rooted in Hope is a family affair, a mother-son collaboration on a family saga dating back to colonial Maryland,” says Carole Boston Weatherford. “Kin conjures the past, reclaims lost ancestral narratives and brings us to the realization that knowing your history is generational wealth,” Weatherford continues. 

"As a Maryland educator and resident, I have seen firsthand the impact that Maryland Humanities has had. From the research endeavors accomplished in preparation for Maryland History Day to the thought-provoking conversations with students and staff about the annual One Maryland One Book, the support of Maryland Humanities has made our communities stronger," says Tracey Osborne, Library Media Specialist for Baltimore County Public Schools. She continues, stating that "Maryland Humanities’ grants support our state’s historical sites and programs and help to preserve the stories of our state and the history of our nation. For the health of our country and its future, we urge our elected leaders to reject this cut and restore funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities."

Maryland Humanities is also committed to ensuring rural communities in Maryland have the opportunity to engage with interactive museum exhibits. In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute, Maryland Humanities partners with 5 to 6 museum sites in rural communities to host Museum on Main Street, a traveling exhibit. This year the exhibit is Spark! an exhibit exploring the history of innovation and how communities come together to solve problems. Launching May 21st and traveling to six different counties through March 2026, Museum on Main Street is a program that also features capacity building and professional development for the staff of these local museums provided by Maryland Humanities staff. The success of this program has not only brought in visitors to these smaller museums but such traffic has generated economic growth and activity for the rural communities where the exhibit is hosted.

Cutting Maryland Humanities operational funding puts statewide programming like these at risk because it disrupts their efforts around historic preservation, staff professional development to teachers and museum professional across this state, stops their ability to offer grants to humanities organizations throughout the state, and cripples the economic growth and activity of Maryland's smaller, rural communities who thrive on engagement and visitor traffic to these museums and cultural centers.

Maryland Humanities is calling on statewide support. They are calling on everyone to contact your representatives in Congress and demand restored funding for the state and territorial humanities councils. You can craft an email or send a generated email through the National Humanities Alliance by clicking HERE.

"This funding termination is detrimental, but we at Maryland Humanities are committed to community-centric fundraising, says Claudia Allen, Maryland Humanities Director of Advancement." She continues, "We believe that in order to be community-based we must be community-backed. Now more than ever do we need the support of every Marylander. If everyone reading this gave $100, we could surpass the funding we receive from the federal government. If you can't give $100, give $1, $5, $25. Every gift helps. Send us a donation of support today!

About Maryland Humanities
Maryland Humanities creates and supports bold experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities. For more information, visit www.mdhumanities.org. Maryland Humanities is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities; the State of Maryland; the Citizens of Baltimore County; private foundations; corporations; small businesses; and individual donors. Connect with Maryland Humanities on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, and YouTube.