FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2025
Contact: Tony Sansalone Director of Development, Wisconsin Humanities 608-265-5594, tony.sansalone@wisconsinhumanities.org
In Response to Federal Cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities, Mellon Foundation Announces $15 Million in Emergency Funding for Humanities Councils
➞ This investment by the Mellon Foundation will help stabilize Wisconsin Humanities, which is launching a fundraising campaign to survive the sudden cancellation of its NEH operating grants earlier this month.
April 30 2025 --
Wisconsin Humanities (WH) announced today that it will receive emergency funding thanks to a Mellon Foundation commitment of $15 million to the Federation of State Humanities Councils in response to federal funding cuts that have devastated the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils.
The April 3 federal funding cancellation forced WH to provide layoff notices to its staff of eight, to suspend all of its public humanities grantmaking and programs, and face the possibility of closure.
“We have been urgently working to find a way forward that will protect the legacy of our 53 years of grassroots work that strengthens the civic and cultural fabric of communities in every corner of the state,” said Dena Wortzel, WH Executive Director. “The $200,000 in operational support and $50,000 challenge grant that we will receive thanks to the Mellon Foundation will give us crucial breathing room. These funds greatly increase the possibility that, with a return of some federal support and with additional private fundraising, we will be able to restart our programs and grantmaking.”
“The news from Mellon comes just in time,” said Tony Sansalone, WH Director of Development. Today, WH is launching a fundraising campaign to help it go into “hibernation” – a period without staff during which the statewide board of directors will maintain the organization’s nonprofit status and other basic structures in the hope of federal funding returning. The Mellon challenge grant of $50,000 means that donors to WH’s Next Chapter Campaign can double the impact of their contributions.
Even before the campaign started, WH supporters have stepped up with gifts totaling almost $20,000 to date, with more coming in daily. The challenge grant means that every dollar donated will be matched one-to-one.
"Our single-pointed goal is to save the organizational channel that delivers desperately needed federal support for nonprofits in Wisconsin that provide history and cultural programs,” said Jenifer Cole, WH Board Chair. “Our stories and languages and traditions are not luxuries — they are what make us human. We are hopeful that there will be a next chapter for Wisconsin Humanities and are fighting to make that true.”
With the Mellon support and a successful fundraising campaign, WH will be assured of maintaining its nonprofit status and preserving its organization and programmatic infrastructure while looking toward a potential return of federal funding in the next budget cycle.
Despite the good news, there are still many unknowns. Depending upon the success of the Next Chapter Campaign, WH may be able to delay the layoff of a small number of staff. Legal action is also pending at the national level, although WH does not expect this to have any impact on decisions in the critical next 1-2 months.
What Wisconsin stands to lose if WH cannot survive a period of hibernation is its critical support of museums, libraries, community centers, and educational programs to protect and celebrate the state’s history and culture, and the stories of everyday Wisconsinites.
The threat to Wisconsin includes the loss of:
- Eight new WH Fellows who were selected from over 80 applicants to receive WH's award-winning Community Powered training, a unique year-long course in learning skills to build stronger connections and amplify local resources. The WH Fellows planned to live and invest in community projects in Keshena, Cumberland, Sturgeon Bay, Pittsville, Crandon, Milwaukee, and Waumandee.
- Love Wisconsin digital stories that connect over 100,000 people across the state
- Grants to community organizations for public projects focused on preserving history, creating learning opportunities for young people, offering a space for storytelling by veterans, and more. In 2024 alone, WH awarded over $215,000 in grants for community projects that were matched 4:1 with local money and community support.
To donate or learn more, visit:
wisconsinhumanities.org/donate
About Wisconsin Humanities
Established in 1972 as an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Wisconsin Humanities strengthens democracy through educational and cultural programs that build connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state. Learn more at wisconsinhumanities.org/impact.
To return in the future, we’ve launched The Next Chapter Fund—an emergency campaign to keep Wisconsin Humanities alive during this pause.
➞ Your donation will be matched 1:1
