Small Towns Feel the Pinch as America 250 Funding Dwindles
WHO:
The Independent - President Donald Trump, Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, Meghan Reed (executive director of the Trumbull County Historical Society), Eric Waggoner (executive director of the West Virginia Humanities Council), Gabrielle Lyons (executive director at Illinois Humanities), Hannah Hethmon (communications manager for the Federation of State Humanities Councils), Rebecca Asmo (executive director of Ohio Humanities).
Alternet - Anna Kramer (NOTUS reporter), Jessica Cyders (executive director of the Southeast Ohio History Center).
WHAT:
The Independent - The Department of Government Efficiency cut more than $100 million in grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Independent - Arizona Humanities is relying on federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and a mix of state and nonprofit funding for its Arizona Speaks program.
The Independent - The West Virginia Humanities Council adapted an existing lecture series to celebrate the nation’s birthday due to funding cuts.
The Independent - A federal judge ruled that DOGE’s cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities were unconstitutional.
Alternet - The Trump administration redirected tens of millions of dollars from DOGE cuts toward projects like a triumphal arch and a statuary garden of "American heroes" in Washington D.C.
WHERE:
The Independent - Small towns across the United States, including Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia.
The Independent - Washington, D.C. (Great American State Fair, Salute of America fireworks celebration, UFC fight on the White House lawn).
WHEN:
The Independent - The funding cuts occurred last April.
The Independent - The councils received no federal funding from June 2025 - June 2026.
Alternet - Congress has already responded to last year's DOGE cuts by funding state humanities councils at their normal levels for the 2026 fiscal year.
WHY:
The Independent - The funding cuts were made because the funding did not align with President Trump's agenda.
The Independent - DOGE’s cuts were part of a wider goal of reducing federal workforce and spending.
Alternet - The Trump administration has not dispersed the funds appropriated by Congress for state humanities councils.
HOW:
The Independent - DOGE employees made cuts to humanities grants by flagging grants related to keywords such as diversity, LGBTQ+, and immigration.
The Independent - The National Endowment for the Humanities directed funds back to programs approved by the president.
(UPDATED July 2, 2026 04:24 UTC)
President Trump’s administration has faced backlash after a federal judge ruled that cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities were unconstitutional, following a decision to redirect tens of millions of dollars from those cuts toward projects like a triumphal arch in Washington D.C. As a result of these funding cuts, councils across the country, including Arizona Humanities and the West Virginia Humanities Council, have been forced to adapt their programs, with some relying on federal and state funding to continue their operations. Meanwhile, Congress has responded by ensuring that state humanities councils are funded at their normal levels for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, despite the Trump administration's previous cuts that targeted grants related to diversity and immigration.