DOGE cuts Pennsylvania humanities nonprofit's funding
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A Pennsylvania nonprofit that supports arts, culture and civic engagement is among those hit by the Trump administration's federal spending cuts.
Why it matters: PA Humanities is facing a funding crisis after Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) abruptly terminated its operating grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) — a move that cut off 60% of the organization's annual budget.
Catch up quick: PA Humanities executive director Laurie Zierer received an email after midnight on April 3 notifying her that the organization's remaining $1.2 million in 2025 NEH funding was canceled, effective immediately.
- She initially thought the notice was spam because it came from a non-government email address, but it was soon clear the funding was frozen, she says.
- The NEH canceled over 85% of its grants last week, planning to redirect some of those funds to Trump's proposed National Garden of American Heroes, and the acting director told senior leaders that the NEH would emphasize patriotic programming, per the NYT.
- The cuts affected state humanities councils, museums, libraries and educators nationwide.
- Around 80% of overall NEH staff were placed on administrative leave days prior, per NPR.
Zoom in: PA Humanities, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, supports museums, art centers, libraries and more by providing grants and training.
- Zierer says the nonprofit now has just three to four months of funding left before staffing and services are affected.
- If funding isn't restored or replaced, the nonprofit will have to reduce staff and scale back cultural programs throughout the state.
Case in point: Reduced funding and staff may impact programs like the Teen Reading Lounge, an initiative that trains librarians to engage youth in civic learning through reading. This program fosters critical thinking and socioemotional skills in teens at a critical time, Zierer said.
- "If this is eliminated, it would mean that young people who are looking for a welcome space to explore their passion through the humanities will not have that space," Zierer said.
- In 2021, for example, Aliquippa teens led community cleanup efforts through the Teen Reading Lounge after developing an interest in environmental justice.
- The organization also supports the Heart & Soul initiative in towns like Ambridge and Etna.
By the numbers: The NEH allocated $1.8 million to PA Humanities this year, accounting for 60% of the group's annual budget.
- In Pennsylvania, humanities funding contributes to a $30 billion creative sector economy.
Zoom out: Since 1965, the NEH has awarded over $6 billion in grants nationwide to programs at museums, colleges, libraries and more that "explore, interpret and preserve the diversity of human cultures, ideas, practices and experiences," its website says.
The other side: The Trump administration says the funding cuts are part of a broader effort to reduce what it considers wasteful government spending. NEH did not respond to a request for comment.
What's next: PA Humanities is mobilizing public support, calling on lawmakers to help restore funding and working to secure emergency aid. Together with other state councils, it's preparing to take legal action, arguing that the cuts violate the way Congress designated the funding.