Advocacy FAQ: National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

What is the relationship between Illinois Humanities and the NEH?

Illinois Humanities is an independent non-profit 501(c)3 organization that was established as a state-based affiliate of NEH in 1974. As NEH’s designated state partner, Illinois Humanities (like all 56 humanities councils) receives an annual operating grant from NEH through their Federal-State Partnership division. All designated state humanities councils also provide a variety of reports to NEH on our council activities and outcomes, and have a site visit from NEH every five years.  

How much of Illinois Humanities 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. In FY24, the NEH’s budget was $207 million total, with $65 million of that awarded to the state councils. Funding for every state council is determined by a formula that takes population into consideration. About a third of Illinois Humanities’ annual budget (roughly $2 million) comes from our NEH funding, which we receive annually by law.

What will actually happen in Illinois if the NEH funding goes away?  

Thanks to the support of individual donors, foundation grants, and state support, we intend to carry on with all programs and grants as planned. In the coming months, we will take some time to carefully and strategically assess for the future, and we will keep our partner organizations, grantees, donors, and community members up to date. Our commitment to the humanities in Illinois remains strong throughout this uncertainty. 

Some examples of the resources that could be lost in the future due to this cut include 

• Free community reading and discussion programs 
• Free history and heritage programs 
• Resources to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 
• Funding for rural museums and historical societies 
• Free book and cultural festivals that draw tourism and private investment 
• Free education for youth and adults 

The NEH has directed $34M in funding to Illinois since 2019. Grants support essential cultural infrastructure spanning museums, universities, community organizations, as well as programs that benefit veterans, rural communities, and more. From the Field Museum in Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to the Western Illinois Museum in Macomb and the Cairo Historical Preservation Project, the impact of these cuts will be detrimental to every county and congressional district in Illinois - and across the entire country.

What does Illinois Humanities plan to do in response? 

Illinois Humanities takes' our responsibility as the state's champion for the humanities very seriously. Cuts to the NEH will make a negligible difference in the federal budget but will be profoundly felt by everyday Americans in each congressional district. These cuts undermine efforts tied to education, tourism and economic development, community cohesion, and cultural equity.

Illinois Humanities board and staff are closely assessing the evolving situation. Thanks to individual donors and other sources, we do not anticipate taking immediate steps to suspend programs or grants, especially those we have already committed to. We value the partnerships that make humanities programs possible across the state and will do everything in our power to preserve them.

We are also working in close collaboration with our fellow state humanities councils, the State of Illinois government, and our program partners to gather as much information as possible. This will enable us to move forward with intention and care. All of us at Illinois Humanities are taking the same actions we are asking of you. If we all call our representatives, it WILL make a difference.