After months of financial uncertainty, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council (NMHC) has received a partial restoration of its federal funding, offering a temporary reprieve through 2027.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) reinstated 20% of NMHC's General Operating Support grant, following the termination of three major grants in April.
"Our biggest concern was how we were going to keep going," said NMHC Executive Director Leo Pangelinan. "This funding gives us the means to move forward."
The restored funding provides critical support for projects that document and preserve CNMI history, adult conversational Chamorro and Carolinian courses, and programs that promote awareness and understanding of perspectives from CNMI's diverse community, to name a few.
In addition to this development, NMHC is revising its strategic goals to align with new federal directives regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion as they navigate a shifting federal landscape.
"It can't be business as usual," Pangelinan said. "The federal government expects changes in how we deliver the humanities, and we're working to navigate that."
These changes represent a significant shift from the Council's long-standing focus on cultural preservation, particularly for the indigenous communities of the Marianas.
Looking ahead, NMHC plans to launch an aggressive fundraising campaign, seeking support from the local community and national philanthropic organizations to ensure long-term sustainability.
