(Press Release) — The Northern Marianas Humanities Council has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to support humanities councils in the Pacific Islands that have experienced significant reductions in federal funding over the past year.
In June 2025, the National Endowment for the Humanities reduced its fiscal year 2025 operational support grants to humanities councils nationwide by up to 46 percent, reallocating funds toward new priorities aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
For the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Humanities Guåhan, the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council, and the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, this included ending a three-year NEH Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative — a program that fostered regional collaboration, information exchange, capacity-building, and community engagement.
The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Henry Luce Foundation advances its mission by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.
The grant provides a financial aid package to help sustain and revitalize the Pacific Islands humanities councils and their work over the next three years. The Henry Luce Foundation funding will support the Humanities Council’s public projects focused on enhancing community involvement, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting local histories, including:
• Public discussions, writing contests, and exhibits exploring the ideas and aspirations of the Northern Mariana Islands community in relation to its ties with the United States.
• A documentary film highlighting the region’s traditional seafaring culture.
• A documentary series featuring stories of service, sacrifice, and resilience among U.S. veterans and first responders.
• The expansion of a digital archive preserving records and artifacts of historical, cultural, and political significance.
• The continuation of Your Humanities Half-Hour talk show exploring humanities-related issues, questions, and ideas.
“This grant ensures [the Humanities Council’s] operational stability while strengthening our commitment to advancing cultural identity and deepening public understanding of the humanities,” said Leo Pangelinan, the council’s executive director.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation, we are better equipped to continue delivering high-quality humanities programs to the Indigenous and diverse communities of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Pacific Islander diasporas across the United States.”
“The work of the humanities councils of the United States is crucial for the creative, intellectual, and civic health of the nation,” said Sean Buffington, vice president for programs at the Henry Luce Foundation.
“The Northern Marianas Humanities Council and the other Pacific councils support opportunities for deep learning, thoughtful discussion, and personal growth. We are deeply honored to be in partnership with [the Northern Marianas Humanities Council] and with the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
The Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s mission is to navigate and explore the human experiences of the indigenous and diverse peoples of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by enriching lives through research, publications, dialogue, and community programs.
