Action Alert

Late on April 2, all of the state humanities councils—including Humanities Texas—received notification that our federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been terminated, effective immediately.

These cuts will have a devastating effect.

Humanities Texas has served Texans of all ages for five decades through programs that improve classroom teaching, support libraries and museums, and create opportunities for lifelong learning. These programs also contribute to Texas’s thriving economy, culture, and civic life. 

Humanities Texas is active in each of the state’s 38 congressional districts. Like our fellow state humanities councils, we pursue our mission as a public-private partnership, leveraging federal dollars with state and private funding.

Humanities Texas currently receives $2.6 million per year from NEH—approximately 65% of our annual budget. Without NEH funding, we lose the operating grant that not only supports our service to Texans statewide but also catalyzes local investment from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

The Humanities Texas programs that would suffer cuts are unique in the state. They include:

• the free professional development workshops we hold for U.S. history, Texas history, and English teachers across the state.
• the grants we award year-round to libraries and museums for historical and cultural programming. Many go to rural communities that lack access to private philanthropy.
• the professionally curated exhibitions we circulate to communities statewide.
• our reading-and-discussion program where veterans reflect on the experience of service, combat, and the return to civilian life.

The situation remains fluid. But today, we urgently need your help.

1. Make your voice heard.

Please contact your Members of Congress. Share what Humanities Texas has meant to you. We encourage you to tell your own story about how our programs have impacted you, your organization, and/or your community. Or, you can copy/paste this script into the message field.

2. Share your story with us.

Please use send us a brief note or video about what Humanities Texas's programs and services have meant to you and what's at stake in your community.

3. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive further action alerts, as well as information about upcoming programs and opportunities.

4. Continue supporting our work.

Your support is vital to the continuation of our service to Texas communities. We need your help now more than ever. Please consider donating to Humanities Texas today.

Thank you, as ever, for your support of our work, which has never been more critical.

Eric Lupfer
Executive Director, Humanities Texas