ALERT: NEA Grant Cancellations and Proposed Elimination

Dear Friends, 

On Friday, many of us -- including Chorus America -- received word that our current grants from the National Endowment for the Arts were terminated. This came just hours after the president offered his ‘skinny budget’ for FY26, in which his administration proposed eliminating the NEA and other humanities-related agencies.   

Below is an update with the information we know and guidance on how to respond. We are also trying to get answers to the questions that remain across our sector and we will share those answers with you as we are able.  

If your grant was terminated, please fill out our questionnaire to help us better understand the impact on our field and share your questions.  

In the meantime, please remember the following: 

Know your rights. Read the documentation carefully. Don't just assume you can’t get the dollars you were promised. 

Contact your representatives. Now is the time to advocate for the NEA and its support of the cultural life of the United States. This is not the first time the NEA has been subject to elimination, but it has survived with broad bipartisan support in Congress. 

Finally, keep singing. Singing together is one thing that can’t be taken away, and it is one of the most important ways that we continue to share and show our humanity. 

Yours in song, 

Christopher Eanes 

MAJOR UPDATES:  National Endowment for the Arts 

The federal arts agency is undergoing tremendous change.  From changes in funding priorities, grant cancellations, to staff departures, read below for the latest updates. 

NEA Cancels Countless Grants 

On Friday evening, May 2, the NEA sent letters across the country, cancelling current grants and rescinding grant offers, stating that those projects no longer align with the Administration’s priorities, as outlined below.   

The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President. Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities. The NEA will now prioritize projects that elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities. Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration’s agenda. 

Organizations that received a termination letter or notice of withdrawal may appeal the determination within 7 calendar days of receiving the notice, which would be by this Friday, May 9th.  Some organizations may want to appeal if they can make a strong case that their project aligns with the new agency priorities.  However, of course, there is no guarantee that appeals will be granted. 

Guidance & Resources 

Many questions remain as we unpack the ongoing changes.  In the meantime, there are a few resources that may prove useful: 

What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated: 

Checklist by the National Council of Nonprofits 

Guidance from Holland & Knight Law Firm 

NEA Staff Departures 

Today, all discipline directors at the NEA announced their decision to select deferred resignation, stepping down by the end of May 2025.  As previously planned, Ann Meier Baker, the NEA Director of Music and Opera, retired from her position at the end of April. 

State & Regional Partnership Agreement Grants 

Also, at the current moment, the State & Regional Partnership Agreement Grants are still in place.  We will continue to monitor this program as the choral community benefits from state and regional government grants. 

Administration Proposes NEA Elimination 

On Friday morning, May 2, the President released his FY26 budget, which proposes elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS).  Despite previous White House attempts to eliminate the cultural agencies over the years, the agency’s bipartisan support in Congress has always prevailed. 

TAKE ACTION HERE 

TAKE ACTION!  Contact Congress today and ask them to continue their bipartisan support of the National Endowment for the Arts.  If you had a grant cancelled, this is also an opportunity to tell your federal elected officials about the loss of funding in their district.   

Your elected officials need to hear from you. 

NEA Submits Notice in Lawsuit Proceedings with ACLU 

Also, at the end of last week, the NEA completed its internal review process, and submitted its final notice outlining how the agency will comply with the President’s Executive Order related to gender ideology.  We expect further updates on this legal proceeding in the coming weeks.