Advocacy Alert


In our continuing commitment to share timely and accurate information in the face of the Trump Administration’s barrage of policy changes and executive orders, we are sharing the latest update from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The following announcement was issued by the NEH on February 11, 2025.

Similarly to the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEH has been a reliable source of funding for Pennsylvania’s creative sector, supporting the work of museums, historic sites, universities, libraries, filmmakers, public TV and radio stations and numerous community-based initiatives.  The NEH provided $37.3 million in grants to support 219 projects in Pennsylvania from 2020 to 2024.

The Cultural Alliance recognizes that these new restrictions are in direct opposition to the work of many of our members. We share this information to keep our community informed, not as an endorsement of these policies. While there is harmful nationwide discourse about diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, the commitment to our cultural community has not wavered. Our community must stand united as we prepare for the challenging days ahead.

 


NEH Implementation of Executive Orders

Changes in NEH Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)

 
Applicants should be aware of several recent revisions that NEH is making to its current funding opportunities, or NOFOs.  To comply with recent Administration Executive Orders (“Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” and “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”), NEH is adding several new prohibited categories to the Funding Restrictions section of its NOFOs.   

As required by the Administration’s Executive Orders, NEH awards may not be used for the following purposes:  
  • promotion of gender ideology;  
  • promotion of discriminatory equity ideology;  
  • support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives or activities; or  
  • environmental justice initiatives or activities.  
More information about these Executive Orders may be found on the White House’s Presidential Actions webpage.  

 


Join the Cultural Alliance as we partner with our national, state and local organizational peers to respond to these and other changes to federal arts policies. Our trusted partner PA Humanities, a federal-state partner of the National Endowment of the Humanities, is closely monitoring the situation with us. We can all make a difference by: 
  • Educating decision-makers about the creative sector’s value to our communities and their constituents
  • Building constructive relationships with elected officials and members of their staff that will serve the cultural community in the near and long term.
  • To help defend arts and culture initiatives against future threats, the Cultural Alliance is asking you to share the impact of federal funding on your organization with this survey.
 

Support the Cultural Alliance

The Cultural Alliance is a tireless advocate for arts and culture. By supporting the Cultural Alliance, you are taking action to protect our creative community. 

 

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The advocacy work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is underwritten by the Cultural Cabinet.

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