DOGE cost-cutters zap North Dakota humanities grant

It’s far from the biggest or most visible target for the federal budget cutters at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But the latest indication that virtually no federal agency can expect immunity from the relentless crackdown on spending comes with word of deep cuts to the little-known National Endowment for the Humanities and its affiliates.

NEH allocated $900,000 in funding to Humanities North Dakota this year. But the Bismarck-based non-profit received word that the grant has been abruptly revoked. A blunt message on the group’s website headlined “Save the Humanities in North Dakota” confirmed the cut.

On April 2, 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—officials who have never set foot in North Dakota and don’t understand our values—abruptly cut off our core federal funding. This was done with no warning, no consultation, and no understanding of the life-changing programs we provide.

The organization offers cultural and civics programs to help citizens “better understand their rights, responsibilities, and the complex story of our democracy.” Executive Director Brenna Gerhardt minced few words in sharing her opinion of the efficiency effort underway in Washington.​

In a time of division and disconnection, the humanities are not a luxury. They are a lifeline. Yet we’ve increasingly treated them as irrelevant…Public funding favors outcomes over open-ended inquiry. We’ve become obsessed with efficiency and utility.

Humanities North Dakota employs four full-time staff members and two part-time employees. The development may jeopardize the 52-year-old organization’s viability, leading to an immediate appeal for financial contributions from supporters.

With federal funding abruptly cut, we’re relying on supporters like you to keep our programs alive—civics education, lifelong learning, and public conversations that reach thousands across the state. Every dollar you give helps ensure that North Dakotans continue to have access to the humanities, no matter where they live.

At the same time, the group reached out to the state’s congressional delegation and launched a grassroots campaign to advocate for restoration of funding.

I support full funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities and Humanities North Dakota. Every North Dakotan deserves the same access to educational and cultural opportunities as those in major urban centers—don’t let that be taken away.

Short of a groundswell of support, however, Humanities North Dakota appears to be bracing for reductions in programming as it regroups and comes to grips with new fiscal priorities in Washington.