(Baltimore, MD) – Maryland Humanities thanks the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for $200,000 in emergency funding to support general operating expenses. This support comes as part of the Mellon Foundation's recent commitment of $15 million to the Federation of State Humanities Councils to address the impact of the recent funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) on state humanities councils. Maryland Humanities is one of fifty-six state and territorial councils nationwide receiving this contribution from The Mellon Foundation.
The NEH serves as the principal funder supporting Maryland Humanities' general operating expenses and programming. Both Republican and Democratic Presidents and legislators have affirmed the NEH—created by an act of Congress in 1965—for the past 60 years.
In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated Maryland Humanities' $1.2 million federal operating grant. A 70-80% cut in funding to the NEH, as DOGE recommended in April, would eliminate programs essential to each Maryland region's cultural infrastructure.
With support from the Mellon Foundation, the Federation of State Humanities Councils has generously offered to double every gift Maryland Humanities receives until the nonprofit reaches $50,000 in donations. For every dollar a donor gives, Maryland Humanities will receive two. Any amount a donor gives can push the nonprofit to $100,000 to fuel programs that inspire, educate, and unite. The match period for Maryland Humanities is now open and lasts through December 31, 2025.
"This funding will be a wonderful first step in filling the gap left by the loss of our federal funding," says Lindsey Baker. "We are very grateful for the support from the Mellon Foundation and the Federation for State Humanities Councils, as well as from our community, as we navigate this time."
Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation said: “The places where American communities come together to read, learn, and engage with the humanities’ vast and varied forms of knowledge and creativity are often those supported by these councils.”
“At stake are both the operational integrity of organizations like museums, libraries, historical societies in every single state, as well as the mechanisms to participate in the cultural dynamism and exchange that is a fundamental part of American civic life," continued Alexander in a press release from The Mellon Foundation. "While Mellon’s grantmaking will not cover the entirety of these cuts, we stand side by side with the fifty-six Humanities Councils across the United States and remain deeply committed to the work they lead on behalf of us all.”
“For more than 50 years, humanities councils have served as the backbone of American cultural life, connecting people through programs that illuminate, honor, and celebrate our shared history at the local level,” said Phillip Brian Harper, Mellon’s Program Director for Higher Learning. “The work of these councils touches every aspect of communities across our country. This grant ensures that these irreplaceable institutions can continue their mission and look forward to a sustainable future.”
The NEH serves as the principal funder supporting Maryland Humanities' general operating expenses and programming. Both Republican and Democratic Presidents and legislators have affirmed the NEH—created by an act of Congress in 1965—for the past 60 years.
In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated Maryland Humanities' $1.2 million federal operating grant. A 70-80% cut in funding to the NEH, as DOGE recommended in April, would eliminate programs essential to each Maryland region's cultural infrastructure.
With support from the Mellon Foundation, the Federation of State Humanities Councils has generously offered to double every gift Maryland Humanities receives until the nonprofit reaches $50,000 in donations. For every dollar a donor gives, Maryland Humanities will receive two. Any amount a donor gives can push the nonprofit to $100,000 to fuel programs that inspire, educate, and unite. The match period for Maryland Humanities is now open and lasts through December 31, 2025.
"This funding will be a wonderful first step in filling the gap left by the loss of our federal funding," says Lindsey Baker. "We are very grateful for the support from the Mellon Foundation and the Federation for State Humanities Councils, as well as from our community, as we navigate this time."
Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation said: “The places where American communities come together to read, learn, and engage with the humanities’ vast and varied forms of knowledge and creativity are often those supported by these councils.”
“At stake are both the operational integrity of organizations like museums, libraries, historical societies in every single state, as well as the mechanisms to participate in the cultural dynamism and exchange that is a fundamental part of American civic life," continued Alexander in a press release from The Mellon Foundation. "While Mellon’s grantmaking will not cover the entirety of these cuts, we stand side by side with the fifty-six Humanities Councils across the United States and remain deeply committed to the work they lead on behalf of us all.”
“For more than 50 years, humanities councils have served as the backbone of American cultural life, connecting people through programs that illuminate, honor, and celebrate our shared history at the local level,” said Phillip Brian Harper, Mellon’s Program Director for Higher Learning. “The work of these councils touches every aspect of communities across our country. This grant ensures that these irreplaceable institutions can continue their mission and look forward to a sustainable future.”
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.
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. The Foundation believes 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. Learn more at mellon.org.
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.
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. The Foundation believes 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. Learn more at mellon.org.