April 7, 2025

This morning, we learned the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has started terminating previously awarded NEH grants. We understand this includes operating grants to the state and jurisdictional humanities councils, scholarly societies, community organizations, and individuals. While we know that grants are being terminated, we do not yet know the full extent of the terminations. 

If your grant or cooperative agreement has been terminated, here are immediate steps to take:

  1. Notify AAAM if your grant or cooperative agreement has been terminated by completing this form.
  2. Contact your members of Congress immediately to inform them of the impact this has on your institution. Here is a phone script you can use. If you have connections with congressional staff, please reach out directly.
  3. Review the National Council of Nonprofits checklist: “What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated.”
  4. Respond to termination letters through the eGMS system or the official grant reporting platform.
  5. If you are a federally recognized tribe and your grant has been terminated, contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs for additional guidance.
    Share your story with local media to raise awareness of the issue and its impact on your organization and community.

Standing Strong Together to Advocate for Our Black and Cultural Institutions

If your grant has not been terminated, we still urge you to engage your members of Congress and state legislators. Your voice is critical in ensuring continued support for these essential programs. Please also encourage your visitors, friends, and family to join in this advocacy effort.

April 2, 2025

We know it feels like there’s a new crisis every day, but AAAM remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for and uplift the institutions preserving African and African American history and culture. This week, following the placement of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) staff on administrative leave, the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency has now set its sights on the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The proposed cuts would slash NEH’s staff by 70-80%, gut the agency’s grant programs, and even rescind funding that has already been awarded—threatening critical support for public programs, exhibitions, infrastructure, and scholarship across the country.

Yesterday, our partners at the National Humanities Alliance released a statement addressing this urgent issue. NEH has long enjoyed bipartisan support, and now is the time to call on that support once again. We will continue to keep you informed as we work with our allies to respond.

Here’s what you can do BEFORE Congress visits their home districts:

  • CALL. Inundate your local elected officials with phone calls and ask them to contact their peers in Congress to support NEH.
  • ACTIVATE. Ask your organization’s members, visitors, and supporters to also call Congress.
  • INVITE CONGRESS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. Members of Congress will be in their home districts for two weeks on April 13 – 27 and periodically home for extended weekends. Take the opportunity to invite your members of Congress to your organization, schedule a meeting with them in their district offices, or attend public forums that your members of Congress might be hosting.
  • REQUEST TO DRAW DOWN ANY EXISTING GRANT FUNDS YOU HAVE WITH NEH. The National Humanities Alliance is encouraging anyone with a grant to draw down as much as possible from it as soon as possible.

Please know that AAAM remains committed in our advocacy efforts for you. We are standing with you at all times. We are in this together, and as long as you do not grow tired, nor will we!

 

In Solidarity,

Vedet Colman-Robinson, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Association of African American Museums