The Mellon Foundation, which helps arts and humanities, has committed $15 million in emergency funding to the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
That means councils like Arizona’s may stay afloat after their funding was zeroed out by the Department of Government Efficiency.
AZ Humanities had to pause several grants, programs and events after DOGE clawed back money already given out, including congressionally allocated funds.
With the foundation’s help, AZ Humanities expects around $200,000 to go towards general operating costs. Executive Director Brenda Thomson says there’s also a possible $50,000 boost with fundraising matching.
“It is really something that buys us time. $250,000 can’t replace a million but what it can do is allow us to do what we are doing which is outreach, advocacy, outside grant writing, fundraising, reaching out to our congressional leaders," Thomson said.
She says the conversation is not over yet and the organization's budget for the next fiscal year has been submitted for congressional approval.
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The Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature passed an $18.3 billion state budget with bipartisan support, though some Democrats felt the deal included too many concessions to GOP legislators and not enough education funding. -
Democratic Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva is proposing legislation to curb federal funding threats to the state’s food assistance program. -
Secretary Brooke Rollins's comments come as Arizona has been disproportionately impacted by food stamps enrollment cuts compared to other states. -
The study says that increased the risk of catastrophic wildfires across the country. -
Former SNAP beneficiaries cut from the program say the state is making it impossible to prove they’re still eligible.
