Idaho Humanities Council struggling with cuts

Guest editorial by Tony Edmondson

There’s been a lot of noise lately about government waste and cuts to huge Federal programs affecting thousands of people in ways it’s sometimes hard to comprehend. As more of us struggle with rising food prices and tariffs that increase commodity costs, these same forces have affected two much smaller quality of life programs here in Idaho and Weiser which likely have escaped your attention. As your representative in them, I feel compelled to share a few insights. 

 As was reported last Fall, I was appointed as the SW Idaho representative to the Idaho Humanities Council. Established in 1973, the Board is comprised of 18 members from around the state and a variety of both academic and non-academic backgrounds. Though there is no state funding, three of these seats are appointed by the Governor. We receive no compensation and are encouraged to donate back to the IHC, any reimbursement for travel or costs associated with our duties. 

 Our annual budget of less than $1 million is derived from a combination of private donations and a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities which we must match dollar for dollar. Our primary mission is to regrant these monies to communities around the state. Having skin in the game helps ensure we’re frugal and diligent in how these funds accomplish our goals. This is facilitated by a staff of only four people. 

 While some Councils around the country have closed immediately resulting from the recent cancelation of all NEH funding, our conservative fiscal policies have left us with a small reserve. Regrettably, we had to terminate one staff member last week and more may follow in the coming months if Federal funding is not restored. This will undoubtedly result in our inability to continue programing. 

 In 2024, 66 Idaho organizations and individuals received $135,761 in grant funding, down from $198K in 2023. Most were small grants between $1-4K in places like Rigby, Blackfoot, Burley, Cottonwood, Sandpoint, etc. This past February, I participated in our Spring Major Grant cycle. We approved about $54K between 14 communities for programs like the Prairie River Library Districts “Everybody Reads 2025” or the Alturas Institutes programs for advancing the “Constitution and Civic Education.”  The grant review process is intense, using an electronic rating system for compliance with humanities objectives and vetting any fraud or waste. 

 IHC also funds other programs, such as “Inquiring Idaho Speakers Bureau.” Since 2020, more than 58 free presentations by 22 expert speakers have been provided to mostly small communities throughout the state. 

 The Weiser Architectural Preservation Committee has hosted several of these through the years. The most recent which was funded just days before the Federal cuts, is coming up on May 15 at the depot when Jerry Eichorst will present his “Oregon and California Trails in Idaho,” about the hundreds of miles of emigrant trails in southern Idaho used by people migrating with covered wagons to the Pacific Ocean in the 1840s to 1860s. 

 Many rural communities throughout Idaho would never otherwise have access to these kinds of programs. Without venues and access to an inquiring public, many potential authors would be discouraged from investing the hours of research and documentation required to preserve our uniquely American experience.  Many teacher programs including our summer institute, will be unavailable.  

 More broadly, when humanities councils lose funding, we also lose life-saving programs for veterans that honor their service, family reading and literacy programs, history programs commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, vital support for K-12 teachers and students, National History Day programs for students across the country, funding for rural museums and historical societies, as well as book and cultural festivals that draw tourism and private investment. This is on top of the funding cuts to Museums and Libraries which preceded the NEH budget cuts. 

 I realize humanities aren’t bread and butter basics for many, but it’s in these days of uncertainty, when people struggle and civility is challenged, that nourishing our souls is needed more than ever. If you agree, I’d encourage you to reach out to our elected officials and let them know this program should be restored.

 Next week I’ll write about funding challenges impacting our local historic resources.