Press Release: Mellon Foundation Announces $15 Million Emergency Funding for Humanities Councils
May 1, 2025
In Response to Federal Cuts to National Endowment for the Humanities, Mellon Foundation Announces $15 Million Emergency Funding for Humanities Councils, including up to $250,000 for Delaware Humanities
This investment by the Mellon Foundation will help stabilize Delaware Humanities after the sudden cancellation of its federal operating grants by NEH earlier this month.
Wilmington, DE, May 1, 2025 — On April 29, the Mellon Foundation announced 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 Delaware 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, Delaware Humanities received notice that all its grant funding through NEH had been cancelled effective immediately, a loss of approximately $900,000.
The grant from Mellon means an immediate $200,000 for Delaware Humanities and an additional $50,000 available in a matching grant. Any donations received by Delaware Humanities starting April 29, 2025, count towards the match. Members of the public can donate to Delaware Humanities by visiting https://dehumanities.org/get-involved/donate/
This grant will help keep Delaware Humanities operational through the balance of its fiscal year in October while they wait to hear about pending non-federal awards for programs. Even with the generous grant provided by the Mellon Foundation there is still a funding gap of approximately $400,000 for this fiscal year.
“We are grateful to our colleagues at the Federation of State Humanities Councils for standing behind the collective work of all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils and especially to the Mellon Foundation for recognizing the impact of even one of our councils closing its doors on the United States public we serve,” stated Delaware Humanities Executive Director Michele Anstine. “This funding will ensure Delaware Humanities will continue to operate in the coming months, but we will be looking to our local supporters now more than ever to contribute to the programs that have enriched your local communities through your beloved libraries, museums, senior centers, cultural organizations, and community centers.”
About Delaware Humanities
Founded in 1973, Delaware Humanities is Delaware’s independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We provide services and resources to organizations for humanities-based projects and events in Delaware. We work to strengthen our communities by connecting Delawareans through the diversity of human experiences. For more information, please visit our website at https://dehumanities.org.
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.
###