RI Delegation Demands Reinstatement of National Endowment for the Humanities Grants for Ocean State Organizations

Termination of active grants and decision to not award grants will cause harm

Among the many projects Trump cancelled

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, demanded the Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Michael McDonald, reinstate active grants in Rhode Island. 

Combined with the cancellation of upcoming awards for Fiscal Year 2025, the congressional delegation outlined the harms of cancellation, including the devastating effects on the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative.  

“Rhode Island organizations will be devastated by NEH grant cancellations. 

The NEH’s cancellation of the $530,000 Rhode Island Council for the Humanities General Operating Support grant may force the organization to pause programs that provide civic education programs for young people, serve veterans, and support historical sites,” wrote the lawmakers. 

“We urge you to promptly reinstate all NEH grants to Rhode Island organizations and reverse the decision to end grants for Fiscal Year 2025. 

FULL TEXT OF LETTER:

Dear Acting Chairman McDonald: 

We are alarmed the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has terminated active grants in Rhode Island and stated there will be no upcoming awards for Fiscal Year 2025. These actions will force organizations in our state to make drastic cuts to programs. In our state, federal funding distributed through NEH benefits museums, schools, libraries, historic sites, and Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH). 

The NEH plays a vital role in supporting America’s cultural fabric. In Fiscal Year 2024, Congress appropriated $207 million dollars to the NEH to support humanities across the United States. From Fiscal Year 2019 to Fiscal Year 2023, the NEH provided over $9 million in federal funding to support 45 projects in Rhode Island, supporting local jobs and enriching the state’s culture. One example of the benefits of NEH funding to Rhode Island is the support provided to the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative (PCVI), which uses federal funds to provide free humanities courses and workshops to veterans. 

Rhode Island organizations will be devastated by NEH grant cancellations. The NEH’s cancellation of the $530,000 RICH General Operating Support grant may force the organization to pause programs that provide civic education programs for young people, serve veterans, and support historical sites. Additionally, the NEH cancelled a Dialogues on the Experience of War grant awarded to the PCVI. This will prevent PCVI from offering a free art workshop and field trips for veterans. 

We urge you to promptly reinstate all NEH grants to Rhode Island organizations and reverse the decision to end grants for Fiscal Year 2025.