In 1965, Congress created the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to strengthen the civic and intellectual fabric of American life. The founding legislation affirmed, “Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens.” Recognizing that culture and education thrive under local leadership, Congress soon established state humanities councils—community-based organizations empowered to administer NEH funding with transparency and accountability.
Since 1971, Georgia Humanities has fulfilled that mission with uncommon efficiency. With a staff of just seven and a $2 million annual budget, we deliver humanities programming to every congressional district in Georgia. In 2024 alone, we partnered with over 250 organizations to bring history, civic dialogue, and cultural enrichment to Georgians—especially in rural areas where such opportunities are scarce. Our work doesn’t just distribute resources—it multiplies them, attracting philanthropic support, corporate sponsorships, and competitive grants that boost education, promote local identity, and strengthen communities.
Our programs are as varied as the state we serve. The New Georgia Encyclopedia, a free digital resource, has informed educators, journalists, and lifelong learners for over 20 years. We co-host National History Day Georgia, which teaches research, critical thinking, and public speaking to thousands of K–12 students. We support literacy programs, documentary films, literary festivals, and bring Smithsonian exhibits to small-town Georgia.
And now, all of this is at risk.
On April 2, Georgia Humanities—along with every state humanities council—was notified that NEH funding had been halted, effective retroactively to April 1. This includes our multi-year General Operating Grant, which has brought nearly $4 million in NEH funding into Georgia over the past three years.
The decision came from the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, created to root out fraud, waste, and abuse. Ironically, the suspension of NEH grants halted one of the most cost-effective and accountable public funding streams in operation. Councils like Georgia’s are regularly audited, reviewed, and held to high standards of transparency and performance. We don’t just support efficiency—we embody it.
Some recent federal cuts have been justified as a way to return control to the states. But that’s exactly what NEH funding to state humanities councils already achieves. Councils are independent nonprofits, locally governed and deeply rooted in their communities. In Georgia, our programs serve classrooms, libraries, historic sites, and museums—preserving stories, strengthening institutions, and fostering civic dialogue. For over 50 years, NEH has partnered with state councils through the legally mandated “Federal-State Partnership,” which directs nearly 40% of its budget to this purpose. Halting these funds not only disrupts local impact—it appears to sidestep longstanding Congressional intent and established legal process.
Georgia Humanities isn’t alone. In recent months, the return of previously awarded federal grants has cost Georgia hundreds of millions of dollars, affecting everything from education to healthcare agencies. These aren’t routine adjustments—they signal a troubling pattern of redirecting congressionally appropriated funds away from states and local communities and back to DC. Especially concerning are cuts to state humanities councils—trusted, efficient partners whose work is supported by decades of bipartisan and statutory guidance.
Georgia Humanities is proudly nonpartisan. We serve all Georgians—across regions, ideologies, and generations. We believe informed citizens and connected communities are essential to a healthy democracy. And we believe good governance means honoring the law and stewarding public funds with care.
We’ve built our track record by doing more with less. Georgia Humanities has long exemplified transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. What’s at stake now is whether longstanding, Congressionally supported commitments will be honored—or set aside in the name of expedience. Real efficiency requires thoughtful, responsible governance—not abrupt decisions that bypass process and erode public trust.
Georgia communities deserve better. Not uncertainty—but stable support for the people, institutions, and programs that strengthen our civic life. For decades, this support has followed a clear framework—one that ensures fairness, local control, and responsible federal investment.
Georgia Humanities has never relied on federal support alone—but we can’t move forward without it. Especially when that support has been consistently affirmed across administrations and party lines. We urge Georgians to speak up for due process, fiscal responsibility, and the programs that have proven their worth to this state.
The humanities aren’t a luxury. They are a strategic investment in education, economic development, and civic life. Restoring this funding isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do—for Georgia and for the nation.
Mary McCartin Wearn, PhD is the president of Georgia Humanities
