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Just the start we should assume or fear. Government NOT doing what government does and not, in the long standing tradition of Mr. Trump and his business, honoring their commitments. Sad days for American organizations doing great work for Americans.
it is not his commitment! why should the taxpayers have to pay for these things? no non-profit should receive tax payer money (money we don’t have in the first place). they should have to go earn it themselves.
where do you think the money comes from?
Interesting the cuts to Indiana Humanities appears to have the most impact on rural areas. Those are Trusk’s people…they voted him in, and now services to them are being cut. Wait till they see what happens when the Department of Education is gone, and with it funding for all sorts of needs of rural schools.
And, I bet those rural MAGAts are all aglow with the property tax reductions slated by the Little Magats in the Indiana governor’s, Lt. governor, and state General Assembly. Their local entities will have little funding for schools and other infrastructure that would make anyone actually want to live there…
D.D.’s right…it’s not Trusk’s commitment. It’s the commitment of the US Congress, made before Trusk and PJ Pance and Mumps, along with their MAGATs and MUSKrats, arrived in DC. It’s the law they’re violating, and that would be the job of Congress and the Courts to reverse.
We know the lap poodles in Congress wont’ stand up to Trusk. So, time for the judiciary. Contrary to AG Bondi, who apparently skipped most of her Constitutional Law classes, it is precisely the job of the judiciary to make sure the law is followed. Just like the MAGAts sued in the federal trial courts in Texas, knowing those judges would never deny them a win against the “liberals,” the Liberals are now litigation against the MAGAts and their leader. And, so far, appear to be winning.
As for why taxpayers pay for those things…it’s because they provide a public benefit which private entities do not or will not provide. Because they make for a better world. And mostly because a majority of the people’s representatives (you know, Congress) voted for them…
Money comes from trees…or more accurately, paper made from trees, backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government… So when Congress says “fund it” it means fund it. You don’t like it? Have Congress pass a bill ending the funding. But not using the funds as allocated because a new President wants to spend it elsewhere is illegal…
Timothy I guess you forgot that we had schools prior to 1979 and back then the majority of the United States was rural. These schools will be fine the states will take over the funding and the money will be dispersed from the federal government just like it has been only the government won’t be sticking its finger and nose into every bit of the educational process.
Wow Timothy s, it’s really hard to take you serious with the post that you are writing. Honestly there is an overproliferation of museums throughout the country that served only a very small niche.
The Indiana State Police have a museum, the children’s museum , Kurt Vonnegut museum the antique fan museum (yes there really is a museum and it’s in zionsville), the museum of miniature houses and other collectibles located in Carmel, etc. etc. The number of museums in this country is overwhelming. And I agree with D.D. if people want these museums and they need to find private sponsors for them.
While the Trump administration destroys our economy, wiping out $6.4 trillion of wealth overnight, it is NOT saving a single penny by refusing to spend money lawfully appropriated by Congress.
Here is the deal: If the money is illegally not spent (and what the Trump administration is doing is illegal), it cannot be spent on *anything* else, including paying the debt, etc. If you give me $30,000 of your money and tell me to buy you a car, and instead I put the cash in my dresser drawer, you end up with no car AND no $10,000. This is the exact same situation.
Moreover, it has already been litigated back during the Nixon administration that the President has NO authority to impound founds lawfully appropriated by Congress. Only Congress has the power of the purse under our Constitution.
Interesting the cuts to Indiana Humanities appears to have the most impact on rural areas. Those are Trusk’s people…they voted him in, and now services to them are being cut. Wait till they see what happens when the Department of Education is gone, and with it funding for all sorts of needs of rural schools.
And, I bet those rural MAGAts are all aglow with the property tax reductions slated by the Little Magats in the Indiana governor’s, Lt. governor, and state General Assembly. Their local entities will have little funding for schools and other infrastructure that would make anyone actually want to live there…
wow. you are probably out keying peoples cars too. have you no shame?
DD. No, I don’t key people’s cars. Generally don’t believe in damaging the property of others just to make a political or social point.
But what in my statements would cause me to have shame? Or did I hit a nerve?
The title of this article is very misleading. It implies fault or oversight by the nonprofits. The phrase “miss out on” sounds passive at best and accusatory at worst — as if these organizations failed to apply properly, missed a deadline, or didn’t meet criteria. In reality, these nonprofits did everything right: they applied, were awarded the grants, began the work, and even incurred the expenses expecting reimbursement.
The title obscures the REAL cause: abrupt political decisions. The REAL story is that the Trump administration unilaterally changed funding priorities and retroactively revoked committed funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. These weren’t prospective grants — they were already in process, and in some cases, expenses had already been incurred.
The title misses the harm done to the organizations and public. These grants were not simply “support” — they were critical to the operations, outreach, and sustainability of major cultural institutions. The impact of the cuts reaches well beyond these three nonprofits, especially in rural communities, public education, and preservation of arts and humanities.
How about a title that accurately reflects the gravity of the situation?
“Trump Administration Cancels Committed $1M in Grants to Indy Cultural Nonprofits”
“Federal Humanities Cuts Hit Indiana Institutions Mid-Grant Cycle”
“Indiana Nonprofits Left Reeling After Sudden Loss of Promised Federal Funding”
+1
+1, if the money has already been promised and they have begun work or had expenses related to anticipating this money then they should be fully reimbursed and provided with the money that was allocated.
Trump often positions himself as a champion for the wealthy and business community. Ironically, this move undermines long-term economic and cultural assets that benefit both elite institutions and broad public engagement. Here’s how:
1. It destabilizes trusted systems.
Wealthy donors and private sector partners depend on government stability when considering partnerships with nonprofits. Reneging on federal commitments shakes confidence in public-private collaborations and makes future partnerships riskier.
2. It hurts cultural tourism — and thus local economies.
Places like the Children’s Museum and Vonnegut Library draw national and international visitors. Cutting off funding for sustainability and infrastructure planning directly impacts Indiana’s cultural tourism — which brings revenue, supports jobs, and boosts hotels, restaurants, and surrounding businesses.
3. It damages rural access to education and the arts.
Programs through Indiana Humanities bring enrichment to all 92 counties — especially rural communities where private funding is scarce. Undermining these services reduces access to the kind of intellectual and civic engagement that fuels innovation, workforce development, and community cohesion.
4. It sends a dangerous message to nonprofits and investors.
If the government can renege on approved, active grants, it signals to everyone — including large foundations, philanthropists, and donors — that even well-established institutions are vulnerable to abrupt political shifts. That doesn’t attract investment; it repels it.
Plus one to what Kristen C said – very well said!
It won’t take these organizations very long to raise that little bit of money. Quit crying and earn your own way.
Indiana is the #3 state when it comes to receiving federal funding. We get more than we give, bigly.
“where do you think the money comes from?”
Generally, those blue states that everyone gripes about.
37% of the annual budget. Plus it’s money already spent that by law, was supposed to be reimbursed. Let’s cut your income by 30% and see if you don’t cry a little.
Here is the deal. The President is breaking the law. It was already adjudicated back during the Nixon admiration that the President has ZERO authority to impound founds lawfully appropriated by Congress. And, stealing money and holding on to it does NOT save anyone money, as the funds cannot lawfully be used for *anything* else, including paying the debt.
If I give you $30,000 and tell you to use it to buy me a car, and instead you stick the cash in your dresser drawer, you have *not* saved me any money. Now, I have no car and no $30,000. This is the same situation where Trump is illegally hoarding money and depriving the taxpayers of the benefit of the funds they paid over and their elected officials lawfully appropriated to be spent.
The only people who need to start crying our the members of the Trump administration as the people rise up and ride them out of DC on rail. It is time to put an end to his insanity, and we already seeing the grassroots efforts of this with the massive protests over the weekend.
I agree Kevin. In 2023 the federal government spent $1.6 trillion more than it collected in taxes dollars. We are harming the country if we continue to go down that path. IMO, our economy must grow to even make a dent in our debt.
Ironic that in this same IBJ summary of articles that the Indianapolis Arts Center announced they raised $8.5 Million from non-government sources… Here’s an idea: cut ALL government funding for non-profits, then allow taxpayers a 100% deduction from their income and/or property tax bill (i.e., taxes owed) for contributions they make to non-profits. That would pretty quickly identify which non-profits are really supported by “the people”…
Great Idea!
Here’s an idea. Follow the law. It has already been adjudicated during the Nixon administration that the President has ZERO authority to impound funds lawfully appropriated by Congress. Whether you, I, or your grandma agree with how the funds are spent is completely irrelevant to the matter. Once Congress passes a budget, it is the law, and it must be obeyed, including by the President.
Also, hoarding money does not save anyone one penny. The money cannot be spent on anything else, *including paying the debt*. So, Congress will still have to raise the debt ceiling, and the government will still have to borrow *more* money to pay the debt service. If I give you $30,000 and tell you to buy me a car, and you instead stick the cash in your bedroom dresser draw, you have *not* saved me any money. Now, I have no car *and* no $30,000. This is the same situation.
The money needs to be given to these nonprofits, and the Trump administration needs to stop destroying our economy, like wiping out $6.4 trillion of wealth overnight with stupid trade wars and other economic voodoo.
See below, Joe B. It appears Indiana ranks 22nd in “return on investment” of federal taxes paid. It appears we get back about 92 cents for every dollar of federal taxes paid. Not bad for a “red state”, but as you noted, the “blue” states appear to contribute more to the federal treasury than receive back.
All of which is to say, it doesn’t appear “we get more than we give, bigly.”
Kevin P: how long depends on lots of things, including how much charitable giving is happening. If the markets continue to take huge hits, then charitable giving tends to decline. And if this is permanent, meaning the courts don’t step in to enforce the law, or the six lapadoodles on the Supreme Court write Trusk another blank check, then this could become an issue.
But I’m puzzled, and troubled, by “earn your own way.” That’s the point of a charitable endeavour. To provide quality of life enhancing services to the public. Are you suggesting the folks in the rural communitieswho might see these programs from Indiana Humanities, who didn’t have the resources to have these programs in the first place, will now suddenly find those resources.
These sorts of programs tend to help foster a sense of community and shared history and traditions; the things that help build a community, as state, a nation. Too little has been done to build a sense of community and nation.
See the note from Kristen C. It’s very well done
https://www.moneygeek.com/resources/states-most-reliant-on-federal-government/
44% of our budget comes from the federal government, and our state legislators claim that if the federal government were to cut what they send to Indiana … there’d be no need to have a special session. I’d like to see how they close a $20 billion budget hole.
Also, as Kristen alludes to, it’s poor form to yank funding that has been promised. Exactly why Republicans couldn’t pass these cuts via the upcoming budget they can pass with absolutely no Democratic input or resistance is beyond me.
https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/president-trump-congressional-republican-proposals-would-shift-large
Not in one comment did I read that I give this amount to the Children’s Museum, or to Kurt Vonnegut Museum or the Library.
I could, however, tell from reading the comments who perhaps does give or supports these organizations, perhaps by volunteering their services.
They are worthy
Libby needs to hold her breath, couple her fists on her hips, and stomp both feet until she gets her money. dims are so silly. Timmy!