Delaware Humanities gets a major contribution from a private foundation.
About a month ago, Delaware Humanities learned about sweeping federal funding cuts that make up a big portion of its budget - about $900,000.
Now the Mellon Foundation is handing out $15 million to humanities organizations around the country to help bridge that loss, including up to $250,000 to Delaware Humanities.
Delaware Humanities’ executive director Michele Anstine says $200,000 of that is a grant, with the possibility of up to $50,000 more in matching grants.
But, even if they’re awarded the full amount, Anstine warns there’s still a significant funding gap the organization needs to fill.
“We're looking at a lot of different variables in terms of how our organization continues going forward," she said. "We're very committed to our core programs - speakers [bureau], our prime time family reading program.”
While the group should be able to keep its core programs up and running, dozens of local organizations which receive funding through Delaware Humanities could still see major impacts.
“For anyone who is or has been a Delaware Humanities grantee, that is the primary program that, without those federal dollars, we would not be able to carry forward," Anstine said.
Anstine says Delaware Humanities continues to work to find new funding sources in order to keep their full slate of programs operating.
Delaware Public Media has previously received Delaware Humanities funding and produces its People and Planet podcast.
