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Written By Joshua Heim

What to do if your NEA Grant was Terminated 

Joshua Heim, WAA Executive Director

Late on Friday, May 2, hundreds of arts organizations received grant termination or withdrawal emails from the NEA. If you are one of the unlucky, I’m so very sorry. We receive an email too and it felt like a gut punch. Even though I knew it was coming, reading the words made me feel angry and hopeless. But here's the thing, we are not alone nor should we be. Each of us have now been sucked into a legal and political process and our path is procedural. What we do in the next 72 hours will determine what we can do over the next 72 days and the months after that. 

So let’s get to work. Here’s what to do: 

1. Appeal the Decision by Email this Friday, May 9. 

Let’s be honest, it’s unlikely your grant will be restored. Our sources suggest that unless your program has strong ties to America 250 or The Garden of Heros, then it won’t be prioritized. But that’s not the point. The point is to preserve your standing and send a message that yours is a worthwhile project and that you won’t be bullied. And it’s easy! 

All you need to do is to write an email and send it to grants@arts.gov by 8:59pm PT this Friday, May 9. Here’s the actual instructions we received: 

“Appeal: You may appeal this determination within seven (7) calendar days of this notice if you believe your project meets one of the agency’s new priorities. Email [grants@arts.gov] grants@arts.gov and provide documentation that your project supports one of the specific priorities set forth above.” 

It’s not complicated and you don’t need a lawyer to write this email. You don’t even need official letter head (although I’d recommend that you do). All you need is a couple of paragraphs that explain how your project meets the new priorities. I recommend that you stick to America 250 for the reasons I explain below. Also, send your appeal through the eGMS REACH system so it’s officially recorded as part of your grant file.

There’s a laundry list of new priorities that you could use in your appeal such as supporting HBCUs or Tribal Communities, but don’t take the bait. This administration is attacking anything that smacks of DEI and the courts gave the administration the greenlight to enforce their anti-DEI executive order. By speaking to any of the DEI related priorities stated in your appeal, you may put your organization, your artists, and your partners at risk for further scrutiny and attack. 

If you don’t want to frame your project in terms of America 250, you could contest the rule changes. The Film Festival Alliance and Modern Language Association have developed step-by-step guidance and templates to get you started, including how to contest the rules. AFTA is also hosting a live webinar today at 1pm PT with more information on how to file an appeal. 

Resources on how to file an appeal: 

  • Holland & Knight: What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant Is Terminated by the Government 

2. Request your final payment by May 29. 

Per our termination email, we have until September 29 to submit our final payment and grant report and this date may be different for you. But it's clear this administration has a complete disregard for the rules. Let’s not forget what’s this termination really is: the NEA changed the period of performance for your grant which is now May 31, 2025. The administration has repeatedly demonstrated the inability to keep their word so I wouldn't count on any promises they make beyond 30 days. 

You have one last shot at collecting funds against your current grant. If there is any allowable expense – paying staff costs or purchasing a new projector – the transaction needs to be completed by the end of the month. But here’s the thing, just as we got our termination emails, we also received the terrible news that many of the NEA staff who are in charge of approving and processing our payment requests will stop work on May 30. 

Who will process your payment in June, July, or August? Do the math, get your payment request in ASAP. 

3. Tell Your Story ASAP. 

You now have a story, but your story exists in a news cycle. Already I’ve seen organizations who received termination emails on the local news and there’s even Go Fund Me to support the nonprofits who were terminated. Full discloser: WAA is listed as a potential recipient. 

We know that many of you have a complicated relationship to advocacy. I’m looking at you, city-based and university presenters. But we are all someone’s constituent and no one can stop you from telling them your story. If there’s one thing you can and ought to do is to find your congressional representative and share the news. 

Here’s how to tell your story in less than 3 minutes:  

  • Copy your congressional representatives on your email appealing the termination. Boom. You’re now an advocate. 

  • Level up your effort by sending a follow up email to your representative explaining the situation and asking them to investigate. Elected officials are really good when they’re asked to do something. You just need to ask. 

  • Spread the word by forwarding your email to your project partners, board, friends, and family and ask them to ask their representative to investigate. 

Congratulations! You did it. If you’re fired up and hungry for more, you can deepen your efforts. At the national level, get involved with AFTA who is leading the charge to Save the NEA or send a letter via the Performing Arts Alliance. If you want to read up on the issues, visit the excellent Action Center maintained by Creative West. 

I’m old school and believe all politics are local. I highly recommend that you connect with your state arts advocacy organization and get active in your local community. See the list below for the organizations leading the charge in your state. 

In solidarity, 

Josh 

 
Joshua Heim
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