Federal funding cuts to Indiana Humanities cause halt in grant distribution for local programs

Indiana Humanities – an Indianapolis based nonprofit that supports history and cultural projects throughout the state – is one of several local organizations recently impacted by federal funding cuts.

Indiana Humanities was originally awarded $1.3 million from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) this fiscal year. However, the U.S. The Department of Government Efficiency terminated the funding this month.

The federal grant, which made up 35-40% of the nonprofit’s budget, plays a crucial role in supporting local creativity and civics, said President and CEO of Indiana Humanities Keira Amstutz.

“This funding cut will have an immediate impact on our partners who use our grants to host things like preservation workshops, local history programs, author programs, and again, local cultural programs,” she said.

So far Indiana Humanities has used about $540,000 of the grant money, leaving a funding gap of nearly $760,000. Since the announced funding termination, the organization has stopped all grant programs except one due to generous funding from a private donor.

Other organizations impacted by the NEH funding cuts include the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, and the Indiana Medical History Museum.

Amstutz said the funding cut will be "devastating" for the entire community. 

“This is not just about Indiana Humanities,” she said. “There are many organizations in Indiana who are experiencing unexpected federal funding cuts, and it's going to have a significant impact in our communities.”

Indiana Humanities and its national partners are looking to take legal action in the future, Amstutz said.

For a full list of the organizations with terminated 2025 NEH grants, visit this database.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Abriana Herron at aherron@wfyi.org.