If you know me, you know that I am a proud [board member/partner/supporter] of Indiana Humanities (IH), and today, the organization received word that a large sum of its operational funding will be terminated.
This will profoundly impact not only organizations like Indiana Humanities, but the small-town historical societies, public libraries, and other nonprofits that receive essential programming funds that it supports through grants, programs, and storytelling.
Although the nonprofit will remain operational, this cut will have a drastic impact on Indiana Humanities’ ability to serve all 92 counties in Indiana.
Here are a few ways to show your support now:
Write to your Congressional representatives and let them know this work is meaningful in your community.
Share this message with your network on social media.
Consider making a donation to Indiana Humanities.
Together, we can make a difference for the cultural institutions in your community that depend on this funding to enhance quality of life and continue lifelong learning across the state.
Learn more about what you can do: https://indianahumanities.org/savetheneh/
Until Dec. 31
Indiana Humanities has curated a brand-new resource for organizations throughout Indiana seeking history programs and presentations, especially pertaining to the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Learn more: https://indianahumanities.org/civicsanddemoracyspeakersbureau/
Until Dec. 31
Introducing the Civics and Democracy Speakers Bureau!
After issuing a call for speakers and reviewing applications, Indiana Humanities has curated a brand-new resource for organizations throughout Indiana seeking history programs and presentations, especially pertaining to the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Learn more about the bureau and apply to host a speaker at the link in bio.
Until Dec. 31
Until Dec. 12
Until Dec. 12
Let your students' voices be heard. Register your school for Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation competition.
Learn more and submit your intent to participate by Dec. 12: https://indianahumanities.org/program/poetryoutloud/
Until Dec. 12
2026 National Poetry Out Loud Champion — it has a nice ring to it. 🏆
If you want a chance for you, your student or your school to compete, make sure you're signed up by the deadline on Dec. 12!
Get the details: https://indianahumanities.org/program/poetryoutloud/
Until Dec. 12
Let your students voices' be heard. Register your school for Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation competition.
The national arts education program from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students. It helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence, while also learning more about both classical and contemporary poetry.
Learn more and submit your intent to participate by Dec. 12 on Indiana Humanities' website.
Until Dec. 12
2026 National Poetry Out Loud Champion — it has a nice ring to it. 🏆
If you want a chance for you, your student or your school to compete, make sure you're signed up by the deadline on Dec. 12!
This national arts education program from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students. It helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence, while also learning more about both classical and contemporary poetry.
Get the details on Indiana Humanities' website.
Until Dec. 12
Until Jan. 31
Join us for Better Together: Celebrating US, a family-friendly celebration exploring what it means to belong, participate, and build community—together.
Learn more and mark your calendar: https://www.wfyi.org/events/better-together-celebrating-us
Join us for Better Together: Celebrating US, a family-friendly celebration exploring what it means to belong, participate, and build community—together.
The day will include screenings of the new PBS' "The American Revolution," an exhibit about women's suffrage, Revolutionary War trivia mini golf, collaborative art pieces, viewings of WFYI local productions about civics and democracy, Indigenous storytelling, local history presentations, and bilingual story times. There may even be American rabbits, whose history helps us reflect on what it means to be called “American.”
Better Together will take place at Indianapolis Public Library's Central Library on Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is presented by WFYI and Indiana Humanities with over a dozen local organizations.
Together, let’s celebrate our past, strengthen our present, and imagine the next chapter of our shared civic journey.
Learn more and mark your calendar: https://www.wfyi.org/events/better-together-celebrating-us
The humanities feed our curiosity, help us think critically, and allow us to explore our common humanity.
As a board member of Indiana Humanities, I invite you to make a gift to support the public humanities for everyone in Indiana.
https://indianahumanities.org/get-involved/donate-today/
The humanities feed our curiosity, help us think critically, and allow us to explore our common humanity.
So despite funding challenges this year, Indiana Humanities persevered, hosting a major book festival, awarding Historic Preservation Education Grants, offering Novel Conversations to book clubs across the state, supporting writing workshops and speaker programs, preparing for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and more.
As a board member of the statewide nonprofit, I invite you to make a gift to support the public humanities for everyone in Indiana.
Ready to spark curiosity in others? https://indianahumanities.org/get-involved/donate-today/
Indiana Humanities is offering $1,000 mini-grants to support public humanities programs in the form of workshops, presentations, reading/discussion programs, exhibitions, and more — as long as they utilize the humanities as a tool for engagement.
More: https://indianahumanities.org/grant/mini-grants/
Indiana Humanities is kicking off the new year with a new grant!
The statewide nonprofit is offering mini-grants to support programs in the areas of history, literature, archaeology, ethics, philosophy, world cultures, and other subjects. The programs can come in a variety of formats — workshops, presentations, reading/discussion programs, exhibitions, podcasts, film documentaries, and more — as long as they're open to the public and utilize the humanities as a tool for engagement.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, due the last day of each month. The grant offers up to $1,000 with no matching funds required.
Learn more by visiting Indiana Humanities' website.
LIFT is a film program offering $5,000 grants to five filmmakers to create high-quality short films that feature uplifting stories of Hoosiers working to connect, strengthen, and celebrate their communities.
If selected, filmmakers or filmmaking teams have two months (April 15-June 15) to complete their films of five minutes or less. In addition to financial support, mentorship will be provided throughout the process.
The final films will premiere at Heartland Film's Indy Shorts Film Fest in July of 2026 and will be shared online via a media partnership with Free Press Indiana.
Applications are due on March 15.
Learn more and apply at liftindiana.com.