Oregon Humanities Files Lawsuit to Restore Vital NEH Grant Funding
PORTLAND, Ore. – In a significant move to secure community-oriented funding, Oregon Humanities, alongside the Federation of State Humanities Councils, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, specifically targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This legal action comes in response to the NEH’s termination of grant funding for state and local humanities councils earlier this year, a decision that has had immediate and detrimental effects on local services.
The NEH’s funding cut, which constitutes approximately 45% of Oregon Humanities’ budget, has forced the organization to lay off two employees and reduce the hours of remaining staff. This financial strain has also led to cuts in grants and fellowships, particularly impacting rural communities in eastern Oregon. Adam Davis, executive director of Oregon Humanities, underscored the critical nature of these grants, stating that "small amounts of funding" play a crucial role in knitting communities together.
The long-established partnership between the NEH and state humanities councils has been vital for fostering community conversations and collaborative projects across diverse backgrounds. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to hold the NEH accountable and restore funds that Davis argues the Executive branch has unjustly withdrawn, infringing on a congressional mandate present for over 50 years.
"The reasons for the funding cuts remain unclear," Davis noted, emphasizing the need for transparency. In light of the loss of federal support, Oregon Humanities is actively seeking emergency funding from the community to sustain its operations and continue its mission of connecting people through the humanities.
This lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions regarding federal support for local initiatives and the importance of humanities in community cohesion across the nation.
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