Resource Library: Navigating Funding Changes

Late Friday, May 2, 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts began sending funding cancellation notices to organizations across the country. These decisions are disrupting vital programming, jobs, and creative opportunities—especially for communities that rely most on public arts funding. In metro Atlanta, the impact is especially concerning, as local organizations are already bracing for significant funding cuts from both the State of Georgia and Fulton County budgets. The following is a list of resources and recommendations for arts nonprofits navigating these issues. We will continue to update this with new information as it becomes available.

Arts Capital | Atlanta is collecting data to better understand how these compounded losses are affecting the region’s arts ecosystem and to advocate for the resources our creative community needs to survive and thrive.

Click here to take the survey

Latest News

May 2, 2025

The President released his FY26 budget proposal, which includes plans to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). While similar proposals have been made by the White House in past years, strong bipartisan support in Congress has consistently protected these cultural agencies.

That evening, the National Endowment for the Arts began sending funding cancellation notices to organizations across the country.

May 5, 2025

All discipline directors at the NEA announced their decision to select deferred resignation, stepping down by the end of May 2025.

At the current moment, the State & Regional Partnership Agreement Grants are still in place.

May 7, 2025

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation are stepping up to replace some $800,000 in funding to 80 visual arts programs that was lost due to sudden cuts the Trump administration made in February to promised grants from the NEA’s Challenge America program.

NEA Grant Termination Tracker

A community-updated tracker intended to provide information about the scale and scope of the funding losses to the arts field.

Guidance

Guidance for NEA Grantees Facing Termination or Withdrawal of Funds

The Film Alliance has created an unofficial guide to help organizations understand deadlines, payments, and appeals.

It includes a sample appeal template.

What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant Is Terminated by the Government

This Holland & Knight alert is designed to assist recipients in triaging their responses upon receiving such a notice and provide guidance on the steps to take and considerations to keep in mind during this process.

A Nonprofit Checklist: What to do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated

From the National Council of Nonprofits, some initial steps that nonprofits should engage in when they learn that their federal grant or contract is terminated by a federal agency.

Helpful Resources for Sharing

What is the National Endowment for the Arts and How Is It Funded?

A great primer from Time Magazine about the creation, focus, and purpose of the NEA.

AFTA’s Social Media Toolkit

Sample templates and captions to advocate for the NEA from Americans for the Arts.

State-Level Estimates of the Arts’ Economic Value and Employment (2001-2023)

In 2023, the most recent year for which data are available, arts and culture again surpassed its annual value added to the U.S. economy with $1.2 trillion, representing 4.2 percent of the nation’s GDP.

Tool: Email Your Elected Officials

Americans for the Arts quick tool to email your members of congress.

Arts and Cultural Industries Grew at Twice the Rate of the U.S. Economy, Adding $1.2 Trillion

Latest Data Reveal Continued Growth for the Arts Sector, But Struggles Remain Post Pandemic.