Facing a loss of more than $1.7 million in federal funding, Florida Humanities has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to preserve programs that support libraries, museums and cultural nonprofits across the state.
The cut stems from recent budget reductions to the National Endowment for the Humanities by the Department of Government Efficiency. In response, the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit is working to raise $300,000, in the next 120 days, to maintain its statewide impact.
Since its founding in 1973, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $20 million to cultural and educational initiatives. In 2024, the organization distributed more than $520,000 to 71 partners, reaching nearly half a million Floridians with public programming centered on history, heritage and the humanities, according to a statement.
To help close the gap, Florida philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse Jr. has pledged to match all donations up to $250,000, through Sept. 1. The Mellon Foundation added another $50,000 in emergency support, creating a $300,000 total match opportunity. As of mid-May, the campaign had raised nearly $35,000.
“For more than 50 years, Florida Humanities has preserved and shared the history and heritage of our state,” said Culverhouse. “It is the only organization of its kind in Florida, and I’m proud to offer a challenge to help save our state’s storyteller.”
Funds raised will help sustain signature programs like the Florida Talks speaker series, FORUM magazine and collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress Center for the Book. Florida Humanities programming reaches all 67 counties in the state.